using wikis to understand charaCter
Mythology is a large part of the world’s culture. Though evidence of mythology’s relevance in our daily lives has always around us, popular culture has recently become more interested in this part of our shared history. Because of television shows like “Game of Thrones”, films like “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,””Immortals,” and “Clash of the Titans,”and video games like the “God of War” and the “Heroes of Might and Magic” series, more and more students have become interested in mythology. The interest in mythology exists; therefore it is a great entry way for interesting students in literature. Greek mythology is thoroughly ingrained in our society from terms we use, such as “mentor” or “Achilles Heel” and symbols, such as winged sandals or the lightning bolt. Studying literature through mythology can be highly enjoyable for students, but it will also help them understand the references in the world around them.
This section of my unit with the anchor text The Lightning Thief focuses on using technology, through a group project using a wiki page, to better understand character description and development. In groups, students will choose a character and then create an application for that character for Camp Half-Blood, a fictional camp in the novel, as a way to investigate the foundation and motivations of that character. This integration of technology allows students to be creative while working collaboratively and using their knowledge of the novel and Greek Mythology.
This section of my unit with the anchor text The Lightning Thief focuses on using technology, through a group project using a wiki page, to better understand character description and development. In groups, students will choose a character and then create an application for that character for Camp Half-Blood, a fictional camp in the novel, as a way to investigate the foundation and motivations of that character. This integration of technology allows students to be creative while working collaboratively and using their knowledge of the novel and Greek Mythology.
instruction wiki
camp application wiki
Lesson plans
jobsheet
rubric
standards
Common Core State Standards
CSL.8.1: Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on each others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CSL.8.5: Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.
CL.8.6: Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
METS Standards
6-8.CI.2 Create an original project (e.g., presentation, web page, newsletter, information brochure) using a variety of media (e.g., animations, graphs, charts, audio, graphics, video) to present content information to an audience.
6-8.CC.1 Use digital resources (e.g., discussion groups, wikis, blogs, podcasts, videoconferences, Moodle, Blackboard) to collaborate with peers, experts, and other audiences.
CSL.8.1: Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on each others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CSL.8.5: Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.
CL.8.6: Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
METS Standards
6-8.CI.2 Create an original project (e.g., presentation, web page, newsletter, information brochure) using a variety of media (e.g., animations, graphs, charts, audio, graphics, video) to present content information to an audience.
6-8.CC.1 Use digital resources (e.g., discussion groups, wikis, blogs, podcasts, videoconferences, Moodle, Blackboard) to collaborate with peers, experts, and other audiences.
Conclusion
The time frame for this project is dependent on students' familiarity of wiki pages. If this is the first time your student is using a wiki, there should be a mini-lesson included that models navigation of the wiki page. This project meets many Common Core Standards as well as MET standards, and it can easily be adjusted to work with any character study by modifying the name of the institution the character will apply to.