Subject: Language Arts

Grade: Ten

Standard: #1: Reading: Word Recognition, Fluency, and Vocabulary

Key Concept: Vocabulary and concept development are important aspects of a balanced language arts program at the secondary level.

Generalization: A knowledge of Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology helps students understand the origin and meaning of new words.  In today's lesson, the myth of Narcissus and Echo clarifies the meaning of the word "narcissistic".

Background:  Students have been reading Greek, Roman, and Norse Myths and studying words that derive meaning from these myths.  Today's myth is a clear example and could certainly be one of the early myths read in the unit.  The product dimension in this lesson may take more than one class period to complete.

This lesson is tiered in product according to learning profile.

Tier I: Visual Learners

These students learn best by reading the actual myth.  They should read the myth for the meaning conveyed in the whole story.  After reading the myth, they need to determine what the word "narcissistic" means and write a clear definition.  They need to do these two steps individually, writing the definition either on their own paper or on a worksheet provided by the teacher.  After writing the definition, they need to write specific evidence from the myth that supports their meaning.  As a group, individuals share their definitions and derive one clearly worded definition and one set of examples from the text that support their definition.  Finally, the group should check its definition with a dictionary definition.  From their own viewpoint, they need to select which definition best expresses the meaning of the word.  All work-individual and group work-should be turned in at the end of the class.

Tier II:  Kinesthetic Learners

After reading the myth, these students will decide what the meaning of the word 'narcissistic" is.  They will do this as a group.  Next, they will stage the clips of the text that they think specifically reveal the meaning of the word.  They need to practice these clips for presentation to the rest of the groups.  Essential to their presentation is a clear conveyance of the meaning of the word "narcissistic" through events in the myth.

Tier III:  Artistic Learners

After reading this myth, students in this group need to creatively respond to defining the word "narcissistic".  As a group they need to define the term.  Next, they can paint a mural that depicts a clear definition of the term in visual art.  If there are musically talented students in the group as well, musical responses to accompany the mural would add depth and interest.  The focus of all the creative expression must be a definition of the word "narcissistic."

Assessment:  Although each group is responding to the task in a different way, all are seeking to determine the definition from the text and to tie meaning with myth.  Each group has a very different product to turn in and to share with the rest of the class.  The time element may be different for each group, but if supplies are available and talents are truly a part of the grouping strategy, this should be a very effectively differentiated lesson.

10LL-FAD