October 27, 2015 - Tuesday

Class Work

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

This is a great article about both holidays: http://edsitement.neh.gov/feature/origins-halloween-and-day-dead (Read this article.)
History Chanel: http://www.history.com/topics/Halloween

This is a YouTube article about Halloween: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9pzNpKKRYc

Here is a Day of the Dead video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzaZidVrebA
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUUAgEWeYeI

 These articles tell a little about both holidays. Read them first.
http://edsitement.neh.gov/feature/origins-halloween-and-day-dead
http://www.history.com/topics/halloween

Assignment:  Prepare a 6-7  PowerPoint  or Prezi slide presentation related to Halloween OR Day of the Dead. You may work with a partner or two or you may work alone. (No more than three in a group.) Sign up for your topic

http://edsitement.neh.gov/feature/origins-halloween-and-day-dead (Read this article.)
Suggestions:
1. Create a visual haunted house
2. Design visual costumes - explain the importance of each.
3. Create a visual Day of the Dead celebration.
4. Explain how to make something edible for either holiday. Show us the steps and the end result.
5. Create a visual Halloween party/carnival.
6. Illustrate and tell a ghost/spooky story.
7. 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.
8. Teach us a Halloween or Day of the Dead song or dance!


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

2. Finish your Day of the Dead or Halloween Powerpoint/Prezi. Post in Canvas. Be ready to share on Thursday.

October 22, 2015 - Thursday

This was the homewok:
What would you expect to find in a haunted house? List at least 20 items. Bring your list to class on Thursday. Who has the longest list? (Prize alert!)

Having trouble? Check this site: http://www.virtualsalt.com/gothic.htm 

B. Think about it. Why do these items scare people? Select one to research. 

Today's homework:

• It's Thursday!  Select a haunted house item to research.
• Find out the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the item.
• What is the history?
• Where did the "fear" begin?
• Does your item appear in any stories or on a work of art?
• This should be at least one page in length.
• Cite your sources. The "news" needs to be posted by the beginning of class on Tuesday, October 27, 2015. (This should sound like a news story . . . you are the reporter!)

 

On Tuesday, yes, this is a change, you will work with a group to create a visual haunted house. More details to follow!

 

Class Work Today

Now - on with the monster reports! Continue to take notes - yes, there is a grade for this!

October 20, 2015 - Tuesday

Homework: Over the weekend, you watched a horror movie or read a scary story.

This is a list of the top 100 horror movies, just in case you need some suggestions.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/top/bestofrt/top_100_horror_movies/
Some full length movies are on YouTube, but I can't promise that they are worth watching!

Here are some more suggestions: http://horror.about.com/od/horrorthemelists/tp/20basedontruestory.htm

Horror stories adorn this site! Just click on the title, and the entire story appears! Magical!
http://www.blastr.com/2013-10-17/25-scary-stories-stephen-king-and-other-great-horror-writers-you-can-read-now

Write a brief review of the movie or story. Be the critic!  This is due Thursday, October 22, 2015.  You may choose to write this as a letter to the class convincing us that we should or should not view the movie.

Writing Reviews:

Here are some helpful hints for writing a review: http://twp.duke.edu/uploads/media_item

Class Work

Meet the Monsters! Introduce your monster to the class.

Class - take notes!Submit your notes at the end of class.
List:
Monster name:
Presenter name:
Details from the questions such as looks, origin, size, abilities, fame, difficulties, etc.

This was the assignment:Be sure to tell us:

• The name of the monster.
• What the monster looks like.
• Where the monster originated.
• Where the monster lives.
• The size of the monster.
• Special abilities of the monster.
• Why the monster is famous or should be.
• What hardships are faced by the monster.
• What the monster has done to become famous.
• What classmates and friends think or know about the monster.
• How to avoid or kill the monster

Have a bit of fun with this. We will share next Tuesday. Don't forget to bring your monster! Post in CANVAS today - Tuesday, October 20, 2015.

This is where we are going. 
 A. What would you expect to find in a haunted house? List at least 20 items. Bring your list to class on Thursday.
Having trouble? Check this site: http://www.virtualsalt.com/gothic.htm 
B. Think about it. Why do these items scare people? Select one to research. 

On Thursday, you will select a haunted house item to research. Be thinking of what might interest you. Find out the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the item. What is the history? Where did the "fear" begin? This should be at least one page in length. Cite your sources.  

Also on Thursday, you will work with a group to create a visual haunted house. More details to follow!

OPctober 15, 2015 - Thursday

Class Work

Take a look at The Div! (Pictures are posted around the room.) Would our culture find this monster frightening? Explain.

Next:

• Pick a monster, any monster, from literature or film.
• Sign the "adoption" board - one monster/one parent.
• Read all that you can about that monster.
• Interview three friends or classmates to see what, if anything, they know about your monster. (You just adopted a monster! Congratulations!)

Be ready to introduce your monster to the class next Tuesday. Prepare a poster, Prezi, or PowerPoint to use to describe the monster. 

Be sure to tell us:

• The name of the monster.
• What the monster looks like.
• Where the monster originated.
• Where the monster lives.
• The size of the monster.
• Special abilities of the monster.
• Why the monster is famous or should be.
• What hardships are faced by the monster.
• What the monster has done to become famous.
• What classmates and friends think or know about the monster.
• How to avoid or kill the monster

Have a bit of fun with this. We will share next Tuesday. Don't forget to bring your monster! Post in CANVAS by Tuesday, October 20, 2015. (You will have some class time today to work on this. Be sure to conduct your interviews today.)

What horror movies have you seen? What suggestions can you offer?

Why do people go to horror movies anyway? Why do we humans seem to enjoy a safe scare? What happens to us when we watch? Read the "news" from WebMD for clues.

Let's see: http://nofilmschool.com/2013/10/psychology-behind-why-we-watch-horror-films

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/why-we-love-scary-movies


Over the weekend, you need to watch a horror movie or read a scary story

This is a list of the top 100 horror movies, just in case you need some suggestions.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/top/bestofrt/top_100_horror_movies/
Some full length movies are on YouTube, but I can't promise that they are worth watching!

Here are some more suggestions: http://horror.about.com/od/horrorthemelists/tp/20basedontruestory.htm

Horror stories adorn this site! Just click on the title, and the entire story appears! Magical!
http://www.blastr.com/2013-10-17/25-scary-stories-stephen-king-and-other-great-horror-writers-you-can-read-now

Write a brief review of the movie or story. Be the critic!  This is not due until next Thursday. We will talk more about it on Tuesday after the monster introductions. Your assignment this weekend is to view a horror movie or to read a scary story.
Here are some helpful hints for writing a review: http://twp.duke.edu/uploads/media_items/film-review-1.original.pdf

 

 

October 13, 2015 - Tuesday

If you have triskaidekaphobia, today is a bad day for you!

 

Class Work
1. What frightens you? Take a look at this L-O-N-G list and jot down the names and definitions of several that occasionally or always apply to you.
For example, do you have Ophidiophobia? There might be a good reason for that! http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/31/science/afraid-of-snakes-your-pulvinar-may-be-to-blame.html?_r=0
2. For the next 3 minutes, discuss fears at your table.

• What frightens you?
• Is there a logical reason for this?
• Tell of a time when you encountered that frightening thing!
•  Have you conquered that fear? Could you?

3. What about nightmares? What frightened you as a child? (Brief discussion) Did you have monsters under the bed or in the closet? (Discuss)

Let's look at Monsters Inc. for possible answers!
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvOQeozL4S0
A few scenes . . .

4. And now for a "real" monster!
Listen to the audio story of a folktale monster from Afghanistan.
A. Just listen the first time.
B. Draw a picture of the monster during the second reading.
C. Share! Post your picture on the board. Sign your name!
D. What was most frightening about this monster?

4. The Top 10 monsters in movies: https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrSbg.Tax1WRUQAToJXNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGZyA3lmcC10LTkwMQRncHJpZANMZWl6S2EuZVE3NmFJY1AuV0tFbTVBBG5fcnNsdAMwBG5fc3VnZwMxMARvcmlnaW4Dc2VhcmNoLnlhaG9vLmNvbQRwb3MDMARwcXN0cgMEcHFzdHJsAwRxc3RybAMxNwRxdWVyeQNtb3N0ZXJzIGluIG1vdmlldwR0X3N0bXADMTQ0NDc2ODcwNw--?p=mosters+in+moview&fr2=sb-top-search&fr=yfp-t-901&fp=1

5. Be thinking about monsters. You will need to "adopt" a monster and introduce your monster to the class. Bring a list of your top three favorites on Thursday. (Look back at the monsters you studied for homework over the weekend.) You MUST have your own monster to introduce! There are plenty to go around.



Homework
Read these articles about fear or phobias.
1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brainsnacks/201203/the-only-5-fears-we-all-share
2. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fighting-fear/201206/overcoming-phobias-6-important-principles
3. http://fristcenter.org/calendar/detail/fairy-tales-monsters-and-the-genetic-imagination (video)

Read 1 and 2. Watch 3.

• Summarize each.
• Explain if any of these fears or monsters could play a part in a good fairy tale! If so, explain. If not, explain.
• (30 pts.)

October 8, 2015 - Thursday

Class Work
It's story time! You will hear five Cinderella stories. Please fill in the chart for each. (handout)

What monsters do you know of? (Brainstorm at your table. Do a quick search for pictures/illustrations of these monsters. Also, see what written  information is available. Create an annotated list of links. (List the link - tell what you found there - one submission per table.) (Four or five per group.)

 

Homework: It's time to look for a monster to adopt!

This site has some "monster" information. Peruse it for homework.

http://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/monsters.html

 Feel free to visit additional sites if the information about your favorite monsters is somewhat sparse!
Select a monster from each category:

• Early
• Classic
• Animals & Insects
• Other monstrosities

Provide a brief description of each monster selected.

• What does the monster look like?
• How big is the monster?
• Does it have special powers?
• Is it loved or feared? Explain.
• Where does it live?
• Does it have any friends?
• For what is it famous?

These are just a few of the many items to consider when describing a monster.

Also, tell why you selected each.
Consider:

• Do you remember being frightened by it as a child?
• Did you see the monster in a movie?
• Did you dress up as the monster on Halloween?
• Other?

Post all four "monsters" in CANVAS by Tuesday, October 13, 2015.

 

 

 

October 6, 2015 - Tuesday

Class Work

1. What did you find out about your culture? Share you information with the others in your group. Make sure that you all have the same understanding about:

• Climate
• Geography
• Clothing
• Furniture
• Food
• Housing
• Plants
• Animals
• Customs
• Hair styles
• Other?

The visuals add to the story need to reflect the time and location in which the story took place.

2. Create the storybook using PowerPoint or other presentation software. You MUST include appropriate illustrations/pictures. Music and sound effects are optional but may enhance your presentation. Many ancient stories were told by story tellers who traveled around and shared stories around the fire while playing a stringed instrument or drum. Be creative!

3. Make sure that each group member takes a turn telling the story and creating two or three pages.

4. Google Docs works well for group projects. Of course, nominating a "glue" person to piece it all together via e-mail is also an option.

5. Presentations are Thursday. ONE person per group needs to post the final project. All others need to note who posted. It is your responsibility to check to be sure your name appears on the title slide. (75 possible  points for the PowerPoint- 25 points for presenting well.)

6. If time permits, we will play Story Cubes!