Homework and Classwork

Week 18 (12/7-11)

Note:  All week long, we will be editing and revising the class novel for
homework.  Before submitting your work, use the chapter summaries to make sure
your work has the necessary plot elements.  Students will have until Friday to
turn in their finalized work, but nonetheless, they must do a little each day,
if they are to succeed!!!

Monday:  All students will create a bibliography using an online citation
engine.  Then, students will use their bibliography to cite their information.  

Homework:  All students will work on their bibliography page and in-body
citation.  Students will print and submit chapters three, four and five, along
with their bibliography page on FRIDAY.  

Tuesday:  Students will cover the next section of Beowulf, and compare the
culture of the Danes with that of the Egyptians.  Guiding questions:  Which
civilization is more advanced, and why?  Is it possible to get less civilized,
as time passes?  If so, how?  In what ways were the Danes more civilized than
the Egyptians?  

Homework:  Students will use the chapter summary to make sure all elements of
chapter 3 are in place.  

Chapter 3 summary: 

Tsodilo Hills.

You each arrive about fifteen miles from Tsodilo Hills, and fall
unceremoniously onto the savanna.  There, you see all manner of animals,
including several extinct ones (mastadons, mammoths, etc.).  Then, in the
distance, you see a signal fire that Mack has built, and begin walking toward
it. Describe the animals and the terrain using excellent sensory detail.  When
your character reaches the fire, he or she sees a message board, with Mack’s
letter, telling you to write a poem about your home (or your character’s home).  

Wednesday:  Students will cover Beowulf's departure from Denmark, and return
to Geatland (modern Sweden).  Students will also take a quiz, in which they
compare Old Kingdom Egypt with Denmark from Beowulf's time (450 A.D.) on the
basis of which might be considered more civilized.

Homework:  Students will revise and edit chapter 4 of their class novel,
making sure that enough descriptive detail has been included.  

Chapter 4 summary:

Home.

Summary: You go off and write the poem, and return to see the Tsodilite tribe
and your fellow travelers gathering.  The chief raises his hand and greets
you, as explained on the website.  You gather next to the fire, and share your
poems with the tribesmen, and then share a feast of grubs and frogs with them.
 Finally, you meet and spend hours making friends with a Tsodilite tribesman
(This may be written in a summary style; you need not go into great detail.).
  Shortly after that you see the blue door again, and travel to Memphis,
Egypt.  At some point between arriving in Tsodilo Hills and getting your
bearings in Memphis, you discover an avatar (a tool Mack has provided to help
with questions and translation).  It may appear as anything you like.


Thursday:  All students will discuss Beowulf's rule in Geatland (Southern
Sweden), in preparation for his final battle with the dragon.

Homework:  Students will proofread and edit chapter 5 of the class novel,
being sure to provide researched supporting details.  Chapters 3-5, along with
a bibliography page must be submitted at the beginning of class on Friday.
Chapter 5 summary: 

Memphis.

Summary:  You arrive in Memphis, possibly at Imhotep’s building site for King
Zoser’s pyramid.  You are in the latter half of the 27th century B.C.E.. 
Using great sensory detail, observe and record what you see.  In ancient
Egypt, some people would have lived relatively modern lives, but the rest
found themselves living much as the tribesman in Tsodilo Hills had.  The only
difference is that their toil was done for the benefit of the pharaoh, rather
than themselves and their families.  After a short while, you get your
bearings, and meet an Egyptian who is in need.  They may be injured, sick,
unemployed, or have some other difficulty.  Some of you may have observed a
problem, rather than a person, but either way, you resolve to help, and must
find a way to speak with Imhotep. The basic message you will pass on is that
civilization should benefit all people, not just those few who are in power,
whether you are addressing an issue or a particular individual.  Create a
symbol that expresses the message you want to pass on.  Reaching Imhotep can
be accomplished a number of plausible ways.  Some may see fit to appear to
have magical powers, using technology (your avatar) and unexpected knowledge
(as you have likely come from a time after that of Old Kingdom Egypt).  You
may use any method you like, provided you remember that Imhotep is both
important and busy.  He is your only hope of getting your message to King
Zoser (the pharaoh).  Zoser may or may not choose to implement your
improvements; either way, an important lesson will have been planted, like a
seed, to sprout later.  Once you have communicated with King Zoser, you will
find the blue door again.