MONOMYTH: The Journey

Grade and Subject:

9-10, English Language Arts: Reading, Writing, and Understanding Literature

Common Core State Standards (CCSS):

1. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3c Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole.

2. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3d Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.

3. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3c Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole. 

4. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3d Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.

5. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3e Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.

Essential Questions:

1. How do the individual aspects of monomyth inform the journey as a whole?

2. Do the archetypes and elements of monomyth help with the process of writing a story? Why or why not?

Measurable Objectives of Lesson (SWBAT: Students Will Be Able to):

1. Student stories will employ the following techniques: Dialogue, exposition, character development, and sensory language.

2. Students will participate in peer editing and demonstrate understanding of the copyediting process through grammatical and spelling corrections.

3. Students will polish their stories and be able to identify each of the techniques listed above.

4. Students will construct stories with proper believability and pacing.

Evidence of Differentiated Instruction:

Students with kinesthetic or other learning preferences may have their writing assignments modified to be dictated, if need be, or recorded as a starting point.

Grouping strategies:

1. Whole Group 

2. Small Group

3. Individual

Modalities:

1. Visual

2. Auditory

3. Kinesthetic

Materials:

None specifically

 Key Vocabulary:

1. Freewrite

 Hook/Anticipatory Set: 

(10 minutes) Opening video—"The Matrix-Joseph Campbell Monomyth.” Use as springboard to quick discussion and analysis. 

Teacher Instruction:

(15 minutes) Loosening up with a freewrite: Tell students to pick up their pens, get out their writing journals, and start writing from this prompt for 15 minutes: Your hero, whomever you've chosen for your story, does whatever he or she can do to refuse the call. By the end of your freewrite, your hero should finally cave--but why and how? See how wild you can make this. GO.

Student Practice:

(20 minutes) Following freewrite, students should look back at their stories which are due next class. Individual consultations and peer editing commence for remainder of class time.

Assessment/Student Feedback: 

Formative assessment during discussion and as students write and participate in peer editing.

Closure:

Wrap up with reminder about story expectations.