9-30

​9-30-2025

By Brandon Benalcazar

Entry & Setup (2mins)

“Come in silently. Bag on chair. Chromebook closed top right. Hands crossed when you’re ready.”

1. Open Google Classroom

   • LitSurv1 1.2 Sequence Assessment #2

2. In your Google Doc (LitSurv1 1.2 Sequence Assessment #2):

   • Copy everything you have written

   • Copy = Ctrl + C

3. Open SchoolCity

   • Open task:

     • Lit Survey I Sequence 1.2 Assessment #2 9/25 (OR) 25-26

4. In the SchoolCity response box:

   • Click once

   • and paste

   • paste = Ctrl + V.

   • If you have written nothing in google classroom:

     • Write: "on paper" in school city

5. Submit

Background Information

• What happened:

  • Greeks sailed to Troy and fought a 10-year war.

• How it ended:

  • Odysseus’s Trojan Horse

    • Greeks hid inside, opened the gates at night, Troy fell.

• Why it matters here:

  • It’s Odysseus’s call to action

  • The Odyssey starts after this, with him trying to get home.

Last night's readings

• WHO:

  • Odysseus (Greek hero, clever leader) + crew

  • Penelope (wife)

  • Telemachus (son)

  • Polyphemus (Cyclops)

    • immortal island host

  • Aeolus (Winds)

    • controls the weather

  • Calypso (nymph)

    • minor goddess ties to nature

  • Hermes/Zeus (gods).

Last night's readings

• WHERE:

  • Troy - Big city the Greeks wanted

  • Ismarus — coastal city

    • What happened: the crew lingers/feasts → locals counterattack → heavy losses.

  • Cyclops’ island — the land of the Cyclopes (Polyphemus’ cave).

    • What happened: “Nobody” trick → escape

    • flaw appears when Odysseus taunts.

      • almost dies and gets cursed

Last night's readings

• Aeolus’ island (Aeolia) — home of Aeolus, Lord of the Winds.

  • What happened:

    • bag of winds gift; crew opens it → blown back out to sea.

• From:

  • Troy → the sea-road → stops at Ismarus, Cyclops’ island, Aeolus’ island → toward Ithaca

• CFU (choral):

  • “In medias res means…?” → Starts in the middle.

Last night's readings continued

• WHEN:

  • After the Trojan War (story begins in medias res = in the middle)

• WHAT:

  • Goal: Return to Ithaca (Odysseus's home)

• Prologue:

  • sets the call (Trojan War) & Odysseus’ cunning

• Ismarus:

  • crew’s feast/lingering → counterattack

Last night's readings continued

• Cyclops:

  • Odysseus’ “Nobody” trick + leadership + flaw (arrogance)

• Aeolus:

  • bag of winds gift → crew opens it → blown back

• Teacher talk:

  • “We’re in the middle of the story; the job is simple: get home.”

WHAT HAPPENS

• 1) Prologue:

  • Trojan War = call to action; Odysseus is clever (Trojan Horse).

  • We pick up mid-journey; target = Ithaca.

  2) Ismarus (Sacker of Cities):

  • Cause: crew lingers/feasts after a raid.

  • Effect: locals counterattack → heavy losses.

WHAT HAPPENS

• 3) Cyclops:

  • Plan: “Nobody” name, heat stake, drill the eye → escape.

  • Flaw: Odysseus taunts & yells his real name → puts crew at risk.

  4) Aeolus (Lord of the Winds):

  • Gift: bag of all winds; nearly home.

  • Setback: crew opens the bag (think treasure) → winds burst out → blown back.

WHAT HAPPENS

• Teacher talk:

  • “Say the chain with me from Prologue

    • Aeolus, fast.”

• CFU (1 kid):

  • “What choice reset the journey near home?”

    • Crew opened the bag.

WHY IT MATTERS

• Odysseus’ Traits:

  • Cunning (Trojan Horse; “Nobody” trick)

  • Leadership (plans, directs the stake attack)

  • Flaw: Arrogance (taunts Cyclops; reveals name)

  Crew Factor:

  • Poor discipline/curiosity

    • Ismarus losses; Aeolus setback

WHY IT MATTERS

• Big Ideas (Hero’s Journey):

  • Call → Trials → Return (we’re in Trials)

  • Cause → Effect drives the plot

  • Getting home requires brains, discipline, and humility

  Teacher talk:

  • “Smart + disciplined beats proud + careless.”

• CFU (snap):

  • “Name 1 strength and 1 flaw.”

    • Cunning & arrogance.

CAUSE → EFFECT Map

• Ismarus —

  • Cause: crew feasts/lingers →

  • Effect: locals counterattack, many die

• Cyclops —

  • Cause: Odysseus taunts/reveals name →

  • Effect: extra danger (rocks/curse), crew nearly hit

• Aeolus —

  • Cause: crew opens bag of winds →

  • Effect: blown back from home

Lightning Check

• Call to action? → Trojan War

• Ismarus mistake? → Feasting/lingering

• Why ‘Nobody’ works? → Neighbors don’t help

• Aeolus gift / setback? → Bag of winds / crew opens it

Multiple Choice

What event caused Odysseus to leave home and fight far away?

• The gods forced him to sail

• The Trojan War

• A fight with Penelope

• A famine in Ithaca

Mini-Debrief: In Medias Res + Call

• In medias res = story starts in the middle of events.

• Call to action = Trojan War; Odysseus shows cunning (Trojan Horse).

• Quick prompt:

  • “Say it:

    • Call?—Trojan War. In medias res means?—Starts in the middle.”

Multiple Choice

What mistake did Odysseus’ men make after raiding Ismarus?

• They fell asleep on the beach

• They stayed to feast and celebrate

• They argued with Odysseus

• They left their weapons behind

Quick Debrief: Ismarus Cause → Effect

• Cause: They lingered and feasted.

• Effect: Counterattack; many men killed.

• Teacher talk: “Cause then effect. Don’t flip them.”

Multiple Choice

Why does the “Nobody” name-trick work?

• Odysseus forgot his real name

• It scares the sheep

• The Cyclops’ neighbors hear ‘Nobody is hurting me’ and don’t help

• It keeps Odysseus humble

Mini-Debrief: Cyclops = Cunning + Flaw

• Cunning: fake name “Nobody,” stake plan, timing.

• Flaw: arrogance—taunts and reveals real name, risks crew.

• Teacher talk: “Both truths can be true—smart and prideful.”

Multiple Choice

What did Aeolus give Odysseus?

• A ship that can’t sink

• A golden spear

• A magic compass

• A bag holding all the winds

Task 3–4 Micro-Lecture

• Prologue sets call and in medias res.

• Ismarus shows crew mistakes have real costs.

• Cyclops shows cunning and a flaw.

• Aeolus shows how crew choices derail progress.

• Teacher talk (30–45s):

  • “Today’s through-line: Odysseus is clever, but pride and crew mistakes keep resetting his journey.”

• Quick TT (15s):

  • “Partner: name one trial and the trait it shows.”

Task 6: Cyclops Text Talk

• “‘He knew this kind of game’ shows…

  • (Accept: experience/cunning).”

• “Leadership move we see…

  • (Accept: directs men, heats stake, drills).”

• “Flaw that risks crew…

  • (Accept: arrogance—taunts/reveals name).”

• Teacher talk:

  • “Cite fast, be precise. I’m cold-calling.”

• Body/Tech: Lids closed; track the board; speak once, then hands crossed.

Task 7: Who?

• Odysseus (dad, missing)

• Telemachus (son, searching)

• Calypso (nymph host)

• Hermes/Zeus (gods who enforce fate)

Task 7: Where?

• Sea (danger)

• Ithaca (home with suitors)

• Ogygia (Calypso’s safe island)

Task 7: When?

• After many losses, Odysseus has been with Calypso for 7 years; Telemachus leaves Ithaca to find news.

“Remember: dad lost at sea, son searching, goddess hosting; the gods decide the plan.”

Task 7: What Happens

• Sea Perils:

  • The sea gods are angry; storms wreck ships; Odysseus keeps moving toward home.

• Telemachus Seeks His Father:

  • Telemachus travels for news (to leaders like Menelaus); shows courage & loyalty; brings hope back to Ithaca (suitors are the problem).

• Farewell to Calypso:

  • Hermes says, “It is not his fate to live here.”

  • Calypso obeys kindly and helps.

  • Odysseus chooses home over immortality and accepts danger.

“One line each: storms hit—but he keeps going; son looks for dad—brave; gods say go—he chooses home.”

Task 7: Why It Matters (Themes)

• Destiny > Comfort:

• Gods enforce the return home.

• Home > Immortality:

  • Odysseus rejects immortality to get back to Penelope.

• Courage & Duty:

  • Telemachus steps up; Odysseus perseveres through storms.

• Order over Chaos:

  • The journey aims to fix Ithaca (suitors) and restore peace.

“Hero’s values in three beats: fate, home, courage.”

Task 7: One-Look Timeline

Storms & losses → Telemachus searches → Hermes orders release → Calypso helps → Odysseus sails for home

Task 9

• These next 3 questions count as your Task 9

• This is a grade

• Answer Carefully

Task 9: Read

Then Calypso began to shake like a poplar tree with grief and anger. "You are hard!" she cried. "Hard and jealous, all you

gods who dwell upon Olympus and never feel the cold rain or the sorrows of the world! I found him helpless upon the shore

and took him in; and I have loved and cherished him all this while. I would have made him immortal if he would have taken

that gift from me. Now I must let him go; so be it. That is the ruling of the gods, and I must obey. But how shall I help him on

his way, seeing that I have no ship and no rowers? Yet, I will tell him he is free to go and give him whatever help I may."

"Do that, and swiftly," said Hermes, "as swiftly as may be, lest Zeus feel himself kept waiting and grow wroth with you."
And he was gone from beside her hearth.

Then Calypso went sadly down to the shore and found Odysseus in his usual place, sitting on a rock with his head in his

hands, and gazing out to sea with eyes bleary and red with weeping. She touched him lightly on the shoulder. "No more

weeping and wasting your life away in this place," she said. "The time has come for me to set you on your way, back to your

own hearth and the woman who sits beside it. And since I must do this at the bidding of the gods whether I will or no, I will

do it in kindness and with my whole heart."

Multiple Choice

Based on the excerpt, which of the following best characterizes Calypso?

• Calypso is portrayed as resentful and vengeful.

• Calypso is described as manipulative and

  deceitful.

• Calypso is shown as compassionate and caring.

• Calypso is shown as submissive and obedient.

Debrief

• Based on the excerpt, which of the following best characterizes Calypso?

  • Correct Answer:

    • C. Compassionate and caring

• Text Evidence:

  • “I found him helpless upon the shore and took him in; and I have loved and cherished him all this while.”

  • “Since I must do this at the bidding of the gods… I will do it in kindness and with my whole heart.”

• “How do these lines show that Calypso is more caring than resentful?”

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the effect of Calypso's interaction with Hermes?

• To reinforce the unfairness of the gods

• To showcase Calypso's stubbornness

• To highlight Hermes' generosity

• To emphasize the importance of Odysseus' destiny

Debrief

• Question Recap:

  • Which of the following best describes the effect of Calypso’s interaction with Hermes?

    • Correct Answer:

      • D. To emphasize the importance of Odysseus’ destiny

• Text Evidence:

  • Hermes: “It is not his fate to live and die here…”

  • Calypso: “That is the ruling of the gods, and I must obey.”

• Guiding Question:

  • “What does Hermes remind Calypso about Odysseus’ fate?”

Multiple Choice

Why is the following line important for the critical ideas of

the chapter?

"I would have made him immortal if he would have taken

that gift from me."

• Odysseus rejected the offer of immortality

  because he recognizes the need to return home.

• Calypso offered the gift of immortality as a trap

  for keeping Odysseus on the island.

• Odysseus rejected immortality because his status

  as a mortal is his most important characteristic.

• Calypso offers the gift of immortality because she

  is selfless.

• Question Recap:

  • Why is the line ‘I would have made him immortal…’ important?

    • Correct Answer:

      • A. Odysseus rejected the offer of immortality because he recognizes the need to return home.

• Text Evidence:

  • “I would have made him immortal if he would have taken that gift from me.”

    “No more weeping… The time has come for me to set you on your way, back to your own hearth and the woman who sits beside it.”

• Guiding Question:

  • “What does Odysseus’ rejection of immortality reveal about his values?”

Big Frame

• WHO: Odysseus, Athene, Telemachus, Penelope, the Suitors
  WHERE: Ithaca (home), Odysseus’s palace
  WHEN: End of the journey, right before/after homecoming

• WHAT: Come home → go undercover → win contest → punish lawbreakers → gods stop revenge → peace

• WHO:

  • Athene — goddess of wisdom/strategy; Odysseus’s protector

  • Suitors — rich men abusing hospitality in Odysseus’s house

• WHERE:

  • Ithaca — Odysseus’s island home

  • Palace / Great Hall — where the suitors feast and the bow contest happens

• WHEN:

  • After years of wandering; Odysseus finally returns—end of the journey

• WHAT:

  • Home at last → disguise as a beggar → test loyalty and plan → bow contest proves identity → punish lawbreakers → gods stop revenge → peace

• Return to Ithaca:

  • Odysseus wakes on shore; overjoyed; Athene briefs him on the suitors and Telemachus.

• Beggar in the Corner:

  • Odysseus disguises as a beggar; tests servants/suitors; plans with Telemachus.

• Slaying of the Suitors:

  • Bow contest (string the bow, shoot through axe heads) → Odysseus reveals himself; with Telemachus, kills the suitors for their crimes.

• Peace in Ithaca:

  • Suitors’ families gather for revenge; Athene/Zeus stop the fight; Odysseus obeys → peace is made.

• Themes:

• Home matters most:

  • he literally kisses the ground of Ithaca

• Cunning + restraint finish the job:

  • not just strength

• Justice, then mercy:

  • punish wrongs

  • end revenge

• Obedience to the gods = wise leadership:

  • a real king knows when to stop

Multiple Choice

Why does Odysseus disguise himself as a beggar?

• A) To hide from Penelope

• B) To test loyalty and plan safely

• C) To steal food

• D) For fun

Multiple Choice

Q2. What does the bow contest do in the plot?

• A) It entertains the suitors

• B) It gets Odysseus captured

• C) It publicly proves his identity and right to rule

• D) It makes Telemachus king

Multiple Choice

Q3. What proves Odysseus is a wise leader at the end?

• A) He keeps fighting for glory

• B) He leaves Ithaca again

• C) He ignores Athene

• D) He obeys Athene/Zeus and stops revenge, making peace ✅

Task 13 Flash Debrief + Pack-Up (3 min)

• Return: “heart near to choking him” = love of home.

• Athene brokers peace = leadership with restraint.

• Teacher talk: “Two lines to remember: loves home, accepts peace. Pack up. Exit notes in the bin.”

• Your homework is to read and annotate Sundiata: Lion King of Mali for homework.