Unit 4: The Stages of Life and the Hero’s Journey

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Themes Covered

  • There are stages to each journey
  • One’s journey is often cyclical
  • Each stage of life brings new choices
  • Growth comes as a result of experience
  • Cherish the journey rather than the outcome or destination
  • Regardless of age, we continue to evolve
  • It is never too late to leave the playground.
  • Challenging circumstances lead to positive actions.
  • Sometimes people are unable to control the directions their lives take.
  • People’s lives are enriched by connections with past generations.
  • Certain events change our impressions of life.
  • Experiences shape relationships.
  • Our journey into the future begins in the past.

Texts Covered

  • Cavafy- ‘Ithaka’
  • Shakespeare- ‘All the World is a Stage’
  • Movie- ‘Up’
  • Doris Lessing- ‘Flight’
  • Ernest Hemingway- ‘The Old Man and the Sea’

Stand Alone Response

Synthesis Response

  • In a 4-paragraph composition discuss the stages of life and the hero’s journey in Cavafy’s ‘Ithaka’ and Shakespeare’s ‘All the World is a Stage’.
  • Create a poster that teaches fellow students how to write a good synthesis essay. Include hints, tricks, and suggestions.

Original Composition

  • Multi-Paragraph Composition- write a narrative inspired by one of the theme prompts above.
  • Multi-Paragraph Composition- Write a 5 paragraph superpower essay. See teacher for clarification.
  • Single Paragraph or very short story- ‘It is never too late/too early to leave/return to the playground.’

Poem Writing

  • Re-write Shakespeare’s ‘All the World is a Stage’. Make it your own. Include a metaphor/analogy, maybe even a motif. Your poem should be of similar length to Shakespeare’s. Be creative and original.

Creative Work

  • *OPTIONAL* Create a poster that combines the hero’s journey plot archetype with Shakespeare’s 7 stages of life. Your poster should also reflect how ‘Ithaka’ and ‘Up’ fit into both the hero’s journey and Shakespeare’s 7 stages. Do this is ‘visual art’ form.

Unit 3 The Journey of Life: Destiny and Fate

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Themes Covered

  • It is the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting
  • To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only real obligation.
  • All things are one. And, when you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.
  • The choices we make in life have divine providence
  • The power to achieve success comes from within
  • There is a spiritual force that influences human choice and behaviour.
  • Our lives have purpose
  • The choices we make send us in irreversible directions.
  • Life is difficult

Texts Covered

  • Paulo Coelho- ‘The Alchemist’
  •  William Ernest Henley- ‘Invictus’
  • Robert Frost- ‘The Road Not Taken’
  • Robert Frost- ‘Reluctance’

Stand Alone Response

  • Single Paragraph: How does the speaker of ‘Invictus’ display a me-determined disposition? Support, Explain and Analyze.

Synthesis Response

  • Single Paragraph: Both ‘The Road Not Taken’ and ‘Reluctance’ by Robert Frost include a speaker making a difficult choice. Please discuss by drawing on  symbolism, metaphor, motif, tone, and/or imagery to strengthen your argument.

Original Composition

  • Multi-Paragraph Composition- Is life pre-determined or me-determined? Do you believe in fate or destiny? (blog)
  • Single Paragraph Composition-‘Life is Difficult’ (blog) 

Short Story Vignette

  • 350-500 words: write a story about a human caused apocalypse. Include a hero, some dialogue, and plenty of ‘show don’t tell’.

Creative Work

  • Create a poster that captures the hero’s journey (plot archetype) according to the many texts, videos, and discussions that have taken place throughout this unit. In other words, your poster should show how all of what we’ve studied fits into the ‘Hero’s Journey’ plot archetype. Do this is ‘visual art’ form.

Unit 2: Humanity’s Fragile Relationship with Nature

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Unit 2: Humanity’s Relationship with Nature

Themes

  • Nature would flourish if mankind were to perish utterly
  • Sustainability is dependent on the harmonious relationship between nature and humanity.
  • People who foster a connection with nature at an early age are more likely to understand the fragility of our environment.
  • Humanity is not separate from nature.
  • Environmental change will only come when humans develop empathy for Mother Nature.

Pieces and Texts Studied

  • Sara Teasdale- ‘There Will Come Soft Rains (Poem)
  • Ray Bradbury- ‘There Will Come Soft Rains (Short Story)
  • Carl Sagan- ‘Pale Blue Dot’
  • Alden Knowlan- ‘The Bull Moose’
  • Seamus Haney- ‘Personal Helicon’
  • William Wordsworth- ‘Daffodils’
  • Wade Davie- ‘Gorgeous Photos of a Backyard worth Saving’
  • David Suzuki- ‘Hidden Lessons’

Stand Alone Response

  • Single Paragraph: What does Teasdale’s poem, ‘There Will Come Soft Rains’ imply about humanity’s relationship with planet earth? Explain throughly.

Synthesis Response

  • Single Paragraph: Read Teasdale’s ‘There Will Come Soft Rains’ and Carl Sagan’s ‘Pale Blue Dot’.  What are these authors saying about humanity’s fragile relationship with nature? What are their warnings to humanity?
  • Multi-Paragraph: Using four of the texts from this unit, put together a synthesis essay that explores the relationship between humanity and the environment.

Unit 1: Figurative Language

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Unit 1: Figurative Language

Due Date: Monday July 13th @ 8:30am

Theme: Figurative Language Allows for Creative Expression

Pieces and Texts covered:

  • ‘Chickens, World Peace and Apartheid’ by Chanti
  • ‘Night at the Bass Line’
  • ‘The Wish’ by Roald Dahl
  • ‘The Thought Fox’ by Ted Hughes
  • ‘Life is like a game of Football’ by Al Pacino (from Movie: ‘Any Given Sunday’)
  • ‘Feather Sequence’ (opening scene from ‘Forrest Gump’ movie)
  • ‘How Bad Do You Want It?’ inspirational speech about success, motivation, and hard work.

Stand Alone Response:

  • Single Paragraph Response: Chickens, World Peace and Apartheid- Discuss the author’s use of microcosm
  • Single Paragraph response: Discuss the use of motif and analogy in ‘Night at the Bass Line’
  • Single Paragraph response: How does ‘The Wish’ by Roald Dahl use figurative language to enhance theme?

Synthesis Response:

  • Essay Prompt: How do the authors of ‘Night at the Bass Line’ and ‘The Thought Fox’ use figurative language to enhance meaning?

Original Composition:

  • Create a figurative comparison. Write a multi paragraph/stanza composition.
  • Prompt: ‘When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful.’ Write a multi-paragraph composition.

Creative Assignment:

  • Create a visual representation of the poem, ‘Thought Fox’ (poster and portfolio title page)