Lesson: The Odyssey: Translate Chapters in Groups Date: 27 February 2018

Subject: English Grade: 9th

Periods/Blocks: Room: 218

Special Information: N/A

PA/Common Core State Standards:

 CC.1.2.9–10.F Analyze how words and phrases shape meaning and tone in texts.
 CC.1.3.9–10.J Acquire and use accurately grade appropriate general academic and
domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a
word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
 CC.1.4.9–10.F Demonstrate a grade-appropriate command of the conventions of
Standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

Objectives: Students will be able to:

 Analyze the chapters of The Odyssey
 Summarize and translate the chapters of The Odyssey into modern day language.

Teaching and Learning Activities:

 Have students get into groups and translate their assigned chapter of the Odyssey into
modern day language that is easy to understand.
 Students will present their translations to the class.

Materials (include technologies when appropriate):

 Pens/pencils
 Paper
 The Odyssey book.
 Thesaurus/ online dictionary if needed.

Resources (Any other websites, or digital collaborations you used to get your ideas): N/A

Procedure Set:

Sharing the Objectives:

 Objectives will be posted in the beginning of class.

Motivation:
 I will get students motivated by having the desks arranged in groups before they come in.
This way they will know they are about to partake in group work.

Relevance/Purpose:
 The relevance of this lesson is that The Odyssey can be difficult for students to read
because of how long the books are, as well as the language being used. By having
 students retell the story in their own words, it will help for them to remember easier and
make it more relevant.

Prior Knowledge:
 Students will have read the chapters before coming to class.

Teaching the Content: (45 min class)

 HOOK: Stand at the door and greet the students as they come in. As they enter, they will
be handed a Popsicle stick with a number on it. That number will designate what group
they will sit in. Each table will have some printed out pictures/props that are relevant to
the chapter they are given. Tell the class, “Each group will be summarizing and retelling
their chapter using modern day language. You can (but do not have to) use the
pictures/props on the table to help present your retelling of the chapter to the class.” (5
min)
 Have the students work on their chapters and come up with who will say what, or
designate a speaker. Walk around to each group to answer any questions, and make sure
they are on task. Tell students: “You may grab a thesaurus or use a laptop/phone to look
up any words you are unaware of. Make sure to note those words down.” (20 min)
 Have each group go up to the front of the class to present their findings. As each group
presents (in chronological order of chapters) tell the students: “When you are not
presenting, be sure to take notes on the chapters that the other groups have translated, so
that by the end of the class you have each of these chapters translated into modern
language.” (15 min)
 Spend the last 5 minutes of class clarifying anything that students seemed confused on,
and allow them to write their “exit ticket”.
Closure:
 Have students write an “exit ticket” answering the following:
1. What chapter was your favorite?
2. Did you have any difficulties translating anything? Were there parts you left out?
Why?
3. Is there a chapter you would like to revisit next class?
 This closure activity will help the teacher gather information on whether or not the group
work was effective, and if we should do it again in 5 or so chapters.

Assignment:
 Students will continue reading the next chapter of The Odyssey

“What-if” activity:
 If we have time, we will begin looking at the next chapter of the book.

Reflection:

Pick three questions and reflect fully.

1. Were the lesson’s objectives met? How do I know or when will I know?
2. Did I alter the objectives of the lesson as I taught the lesson? If yes, how and why?

3. Was the lesson successful? What went right/wrong? Why?