Class Work

Why do cultures use symbols?

Use symbols to create a collage of YOU! Also, write a one page paper explaining what the symbols say about you. Post in Canvas and be prepared to present to the class on Tuesday.

Sit with others who share your Zodiac sign.
Visit this site to find your sign. http://zodiac-signs-meanings.com/ Read the characteristics that seem to be associated with your sign.

Take a look at Chinese astrology as it applies to your birthdate. Year of birth is important here.
http://shine.yahoo.com/horoscope/  Do the two descriptions of "you" actually apply to you?

Look up he history of the Zodiac. http://www.historyofthings.com/history-of-zodiac-signs (Summarize as a group.)

Gemstones and symbolism...

http://www.crystal-cure.com/gemstone-meanings.html

There are also several videos on YouTube that attempt to explain the symbolism and 'power" of gemstones. The information presented is not scientifically verified.
As with other types of folklore, tradition and stories create and preserve the ideas.

1. What is your birth stone?
2. Do you have a birth totem?
3. Take a look at the information associated with your birth moon. You will find information about plants, animals, colors, and gems. Read the meanings. Does the information relate to you?
4. What does your Zodiac sign say? How does it relate to the gems and stones?
5. What cultures use totems, gems, flowers, and animals to tell something about an individual?
6. Are the animal signs the same in all cultures? Compare two. (Ancient Greece & China) (Native America & South Korea) Etc.

Flowers and symbolism
http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/infoflowersymbolism.htm
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5692549_history-meaning-flowers.html
Is there a story associated with your flower? What is your flower? Is it one you like, or is it one assigned to you because of your birthdate?

Animals and symbols
http://www.animal-symbols.com/

Colors - (We did this earlier in the semester, but it might be nice to include it here.)

Shapes: Look at this site - scroll down to the shapes. Do you have a favorite shape? Is there one that represents you?


Select a culture and explore the symbols.

11/12/13

Class Work

First, let's talk a little about good luck charms. Do you or have you ever owned any?

How many here did you know of?
http://voices.yahoo.com/27-popular-good-luck-charms-symbols-around-1268943.html

What should be added to the list?

http://www.ehow.com/about_5413357_types-good-luck-charms.html

Do Good Luck charms work? (Discuss - this is your opinion.)

Now, let's discuss symbols. ..

What symbols do you know?
Do you own anything symbolic?
Are there any symbols which define you in some way?

Today we are going to watch a documentary on Peru. Look for the symbols of the country. Before beginning, do a Google search and see what some symbols of the culture are. Now, watch the documentary and look for other symbols.


For homework, select an ancient culture and find 7-10 symbols of that culture. Explain each. Post in Canvas and be ready to share at your table on Thursday.

For extra credit, bring a good-luck charm or something "symbolic" to class on Thursday.

November 7, 2013 - Thursday

Class Work

Welcome to Game Day!

Today we will share what we discovered about games of the past and present. Please take brief notes on the information. A sentence or two will suffice.


Next, we will take a bit of time to play a board game or two. When time is up, write a paragraph explaining if you like the game or not. Speculate on why the game became popular. Explain how you felt while playing the game. Are you a passive or aggressive player?

Where and when did board games originate?

How do the board games of today relate to games of old?

http://www.ccgs.com/games/index.htm - This site contains some interesting information.

Although I caution you to take Wikipedia with a grain of salt, there is some interesting information here - some in need of verification from other sources.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Board_game

One more site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Board_game

For homework, select a specific board game. You are the investigator. Find the who, what, when, where, why, and how of your chosen game. Write it as if you were writing the information in a letter or e-mail to a friend. Post in CANVAS by Tuesday. (30 pts.)

November 5, 2013 - Tuesday

Class Work

1. Now that the monster, ghosts, and demons are a distant memory. Now that the ancestors old and young have been honored, it is time for you to travel back in time to your childhood.

2. What games did you play?

Games needing little and costing little.

• hop scotch
• tag - what version? My friends and I liked Freeze tag
• Red Rover
• Mother May I?
• Cat's in the Cradle
• Botton + String
• "I have a little doggie, and he won't bite you!"
• Button, button, who's got the button?
• Rock the baby
• Ring around the rosie
• London Bridge is Falling Down
• Jump Rope - various versions - Double Dutch was a challenge.
• Hula Hoop
• Jacks
• Pick-up Sticks
• Marbles
• Charades
• Pictinary
• Others???

Partners Please - count off!

Work with your partner to discover the answers to these questions. Post your answers in CANVAS - format - written or PowerPoint. Pictures might be helpful for some topics. Be prepared to share and lead us in the playing of the game on Thursday.

Pick one game - find the answers - share - play

• What are the rules?
• Where did the game start? Where was it played?
• Who started the game? Who played it?
• What is the game's history?
• Is it still played today?
• Why was it popular?
• Are there any additional interesting facts about the game?
• Where does your game fit on the timeline?

Pick Up Sticks Native American	Tiddly Winks	Monopoly® Hasbro, Inc.	Candy Land© Milton Bradley	Television	Nintendo© Nintendo of America, Inc.	Game Boy© Nintendo Of America, Inc.
1700	1888	1936	1949	1950	1983	1989

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 Source: http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit194/lesson5_attachments/2.html

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Card Games of Childhood- Regular decks and specialized decks.

"Go Fish"
"Crazy Eights"
"Old Maid"
"Slap Jack"
"War"
Uno
Phase 10
Rook
Flinch
Pit
Etc.

Look for the history of one of your favorites! Do this for homework. Use the questions listed in the last activity to guide your research. Don't forget to give credit to your sources. Post your answers in CANVAS.

For now, let's play!

Happy Halloween!

Class Work

Travel back in time to your childhood. Do you have any fond Halloween or Day of the Dead memories?

Take a few minutes to talk at your table. Let's share.

Are there any volunteers who are willing to share the information they located about Halloween or the Day of the Dead? Your information should be in CANVAS. I will be happy to pull it up for you!


Halloween Sites
http://www.halloweenhistory.org/ There is also a Day of the Dead link here.
http://www.halloweenishere.com/history.html

Day of the Dead Sites
http://www.holidays-tip.com/Holidays/mexicos-day-of-the-dead.php
http://www.destination360.com/north-america/mexico/day-of-the-dead



1. Halloween icons: Search for Halloween pictures and practices.
2. Day of the Dead symbols Look and list. Search for Day of the Dead pictures and practices.

These two holidays are NOT the same!

• Now for a brainstorm - List all of the items and practices you can that are related to Halloween today such as pumpkins, skeletons, witches, black cats... Who can get the longest list? A treat will be yours!

• Now brainstorm a list of the items and practices associated with the Day of the Dead celebrations today such as bones, skulls, grave decorating, and marigolds.

• Is the celebration of the day of the dead anything like the Memorial Day holiday?

Choose one item from either list. Find out how it got to be associated with the holiday. What are its origins? (Share)

What's Halloween without a walk through a cemetery? Just what do those tombstone carvings mean?
http://genealogy.about.com/od/cemetery_records/ig/tombstone_symbols/

What's Halloween without a good ghost story?
http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/famous-ghost-stories/1qaim6g

Ghost Busters Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyRqR56aCKc

Ghost Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cOb3gfe4tQ

Do you know a good ghost story you would be willing to share? I do!

What about those monsters? What would Halloween be without a monster or two?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IBNZ6O2kMk Monster's Inc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBzPioph8CI Monsters University
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG9AGf66tXM 6th Sense



Here's your treat! Enjoy Halloween. Honor your ancestors on Day of the Dead. NO NEW HOMEWORK! Give yourself a treat and catch up on missing assignments.

Class Work

1. Finish the "transformation" presentations.
2. Did you do this? If not, do it now.
For homework, create a collage that depicts as many things as you can think of one would expect to find in a haunted house. The program or format you use is up to you. Word documents work. PowerPoint is fine. There are other programs out in cyberspace that work as well. Feel free to draw if you have that talent. Post in Canvas or bring the visual to class. This is due on Tuesday. (50 points) We will be sharing these on Tuesday. Have a bit of fun!

3. Do you celebrate Halloween and/or Day of the Dead? Please share memories or plans.

Prepare a 6-7 slide PowerPoint of Halloween OR Day of the Dead. 
http://edsitement.neh.gov/feature/origins-halloween-and-day-dead 

This article tells a little about both holidays. Read it first.



3. Let's look at the who, what, when, where, why, and how of Halloween. Things you might expect to find: http://www.virtualsalt.com/gothic.htm
http://www.history.com/topics/halloween

If you prefer, pick an element of Halloween such as costumes, pumpkins, ghosts, skeletons, witches, demons, spiders, etc., and create a PowerPoint on one of these and answer the w/w/w/w/w/h of the symbol

4. Let's also look at the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the Day of the Dead.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/541045
Google search: Images for Day of the Dead to see pictures. You could pick one element of day of the dead to research and report upon.




Do you celebrate either/both? Please share memories or plans.

Homework:

Dress up for class on Thursday. If you do not what to dress up, design a costume and share a picture with us. Be ready to explain why you selected the outfit. It must relate to Folklore.

Finish your Day of the Dead or Halloween Powerpoint. Post in Canvas. Be ready to share on Thursday. (Space will be ready tonight. Canvas is currently being grumpy! Ummm - Gremlins, perhaps! )

Class Work

Today is TRANSFORMATION day!  You have 10 minutes to get with your group and make sure that all of your "ducks are in a row."

As you watch each presentation, take a few notes. There will be a couple of minutes following each for writing time.

• Name the character involved in the transformation
• Why and how does the character transform?
• List one or two interesting facts about the transformation.

You will submit a paper copy.

Let the fun begin!

(100 pts.)

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I understand that there are a couple of "raven" experts in the class. Please share what you know or learned about ravens! (Part of this was homework.)

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For homework, create a collage that depicts as many things as you can think of one would expect to find in a haunted house. The program or format you use is up to you. Word documents work. PowerPoint is fine. There are other programs out in cyberspace that work as well. Feel free to draw if you have that talent. Post in Canvas or bring the visual to class. This is due on Tuesday. (50 points) We will be sharing these on Tuesday. Have a bit of fun!