If you missed class on Wednesday, September 29....

Dear Humanities Students.

If you  missed class we completed the following:

1. We completed the god chart.
2. I showed images of the gods, and the students practiced identifying them.
3. I then explained a research assignment. Each student selected a partner, and then "pulled from the hat" the name of an "influential" Greek. Your assignment involves researching that influential character and then developing a power point (minimum of eight slides). I will do my best to post the assignment, but at the present moment the post is not working. I will place the explanation outside the room, so you  can obtain the information.

BONNIE and ARI you are partners. The Greek character you need to research is called Phidias. I have also included some "start" information in order to assist you with your research. Please let me know if I can be of assistance.
4. I gave everyone their first two vocabulary words: POLYTHEIST and PAGAN
Please visit with someone else in class regarding the definitions.

HOMEWORK:
1. Quiz on Friday covering the gods (Greek, Roman, Symbols and Domains). Please refer to the blog for a practice quiz.
2. Please annotate the article I gave regarding the practice of worshipping the Greek gods. I place extra copies outside the room. Please have 5-8 annotations.
3. Read the additional source I gave you for your "Greek Influential" character. Please annotate the text.
4. You will go to the library on Friday to work on the Power point. Make sure you KNOW your character.

PRACTICE QUIZ for Friday's Quiz
Please identify the god by their Greek and Roman names, symbols not shown  and domains (include all of them if they have more than one.)

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QUEST...Well done!

Dear Humanities Kids,
If you missed class today, we took the "Quest."
I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! As a whole, each of you did quite well on your "quest." If you missed class, then please visit with me so we can arrange a time to take your "quest."

HOMEWORK:

None! Enjoy the "minimal day."

Cheers,
Crampton

Welcome to Mt. Olympus...

Dear Humanities Students,

If you missed class, we completed the following:

1. We reviewed the three different forms of Greek architecture and the Archaic and Classical forms concerning Greek sculpture. We then completed Hellenistic sculpture. Hellenistic sculpture is characterized as expressing more emotion, both facially and physically.

2. We continued with an introduction to the Greek Pantheon. The gods will not appear on the "Quest" scheduled for Monday. However, I would suggest that you begin reviewing his information; your quiz covering the Olympians will take place on Wed., September 29th.

HOMEWORK:
1. Please read "Theseus and the Minotaur" pgs. 155-165 in your book.
2. Create flashcards for your "quest" on Monday.
3. Study for your "quest," which will cover the introductory information concerning Greece

PRACTICE QUIZ:
Guys, you SHOULD NOT use your notes for this. Clearly we have an integrity issue here, as I am not sitting next to you at the moment. Use the practice quiz as a pre-test! Cut and paste the following questions into a Word document, and then respond to them from there. Good Luck!

1.Explain the basis for the "Theseus and the Minotaur" myth's significance to the Minoan culture?
2. Why was the Mycenaean culture so "interested" in the Minoan culture?
3. Why do historians believe that the "lost city of Atlantis" and the Minoan culture are connected to each other?
4. What type of artwork is this piece?

5.  Identify which of the three time periods this statue represents.

6. This form of art is given what "title" or name?

7. What is the female title for this type of statue?

8. Identify the three architectural styles (in any order) indicated in the above image?

8.          _______________________ 9.______________________ 10._____________________

11. Who was able to compete in the Olympics?

12. Explain the dichotomy between Athens and Sparta?

13. How did Athens receive its name? (You need to mention two gods for your response.)

14. Explain Alexander the Great's significance to modern culture.

15. Which of the three time period does this statue represent? Explain.

16. Explain in writing the difference between Hellenistic sculpture and the other two types.

I look forward to seeing you on Monday. Remember that Monday is a "Minimal Day;" consequently, your classes are only 60 minutes in length.

Cheers,

Crampton

Exam #1 was administered today in class...

Dear Humanities Kids,

Well done on your exam. For those of you who missed class, please visit with me upon your return. We need to schedule a time when you can take your test.

Homework:
1. Please read pages 27-36 (Zeus-Hestia) in your Mythology text.
2. Begin reviewing the information we have discussed thus far regarding the ancient Greek civilization. You will have a "quest" (not a test, not a quiz, but a "quest') covering this information on Monday, September 27th.

I look forward to seeing you on Thursday.
Cheers,
Crampton

If you missed class on Friday, September 17th...

Dear Humanities Kids,

If you missed class today, we completed the following:

1. I gave each student a copy of an exam response for The Bath. Do you remember the painting that we reviewed in class last time? If not, I included an image of it on the blog. I have also posted the exam example for you beneath the image. Review the student's response.

2. We completed the information regarding Alexander the Great and Sparta. Please visit with someone else in class.

3. We reviewed the three Greek architectural styles. Please note the images below.

Ionic (scroll), Doric (plain), Corinthian (ornate)

This column represents the DORIC order.

This column represents the IONIC order.

This column represents the CORINTHIAN order.

4. In addition, we reviewed the three different periods concerning Greek art: ARCHAIC, CLASSICAL and HELLENISTIC periods. We only discussed the Archaic and Classical periods; therefore, I will give you images below and a brief explanation for both here. Upon your return we will continue with the Hellenistic period.

The following two images depict a male (Kouros) and a female (Kore) in the ARCHAIC GREEK STYLE. They appear STIFF and FORMAL. Notice that the male's left leg extends outward indicating some "movement." Their expressions appear without emotion, except for a slight smile. Their hair also appears as if braided. This style was extremely stylized.

The following images follow the CLASSICAL style of Greek sculpture. More realistic and natural poses prevail; however, the face appears without emotion. Showing emotion indicated weakness.

HOMEWORK:

1. Review for your exam, my young friends. Please refer to previous posts.

Hello, Humanities Kids,

Hi, Guys,

            If you missed class, we started by having a practice session for your test, which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21st.

We looked at the following piece by Mary Cassatt called The Bath and then discussed the composition, color, balance/harmony, movement and mood established by the piece. Remember that part of your exam on Tuesday pertains to doing the same evaluation. Make sure you refer to the five images I posted last time. Review and research them in order to make sure that you have a strong understanding of the composition, color, balance/harmony, movement and mood for each. I HAVE INCLUDED A FORMER STUDENT'S RESPONSE BELOW THE IMAGE.

Elisa Wilson                                                                                                      Wilson, 1

Mrs. Crampton

Mythology

September 22, 2001

The Bath by Mary Cassatt

            The Bath by Mary Cassatt embraces the natural love between a mother and a child. Through the design elements of composition, color, balance, mood and movement one greatly appreciates Cassatt’s intent.

            The composition of The Bath focuses the audience’s attention on the child. The eye is immediately drawn to the child, and then to the mother. This draws attention to the emotion of the moment. Cassatt has also used circles in the piece to indicate unity and peace between the mother and child.  One can see the circle in the basin, the shape of the heads, and in the circular form of the pitcher. The background of the painting appears muted or slightly fussy, which helps bring the attention to the mother and child. The overall arrangement of subjects gives the viewer a sense of peace.

            The color used indicates a moment of peace. Cassette used white for the little girl to indicate her innocence and naivety. The mother appears in a stripped dress using light green, pink and white. These colors let the audience know that the moment is serene. The red colored carpet, although subtle, lets the audience know that the relationship between the mother and child is genuine.

            Cassatt has created a balance in the work, as the mother and child are placed in the middle of the piece. No contention or disharmony exists here. The balance gives the viewer an understanding of harmony and relaxation, as these are the emotions experienced by the two subjects.

            The movement of the piece begins first with the child. The audience sees the little girl and then the eye is drawn down toward the basin. The mother washing the child’s food helps the audience understand the connection between the two of them. In addition, both subjects are looking in the same direction towards the child’s feet as the mother gently cleans them. This positioning helps the audience follow the gaze to the feet of the child.

            The audience becomes captured by the peaceful and relaxed mood set by this piece. Cassatt clearly valued relationships, especially those among children and mothers. The mother portrays concern for the child’s well-being by securing the child in her lap with one hand, while the other hand gently caresses the girl’s foot. These actions appear natural, and help the viewer recognize the significane of the relationship.

2. JOURNAL #4 "Points of Interests about Minoan Culture"
               Please divide your entry in half vertically. On the left write "Movie" and on the right record "Reading."  Please list the points of interest you found from the reading. Now as you view the video regarding Minoan culture, please list aspects that you found interesting as well.  I look forward to visiting with you.

3. We continued with the introduction to ancient Greece by reviewing the PowerPoint concerning Mycenae, Athens, and Olympia.

HOMEWORK:
1. PLEASE STUDY for your first exam. Review the five images that I have posted on the blog, as one will be your primary focus for your exam.
2. Each student received a Mythology text and I asked that they read pages 13-23 for Friday.

Cheers,

Crampton

We started with the Greeks today!

Dear Humanities Students,

If you missed classed today, we completed the following:

1. We reviewed the "Cultural Event Reports" assignment. I gave each student an example of a "poor" and "strong" report. We also reviewed where you can located upcoming cultural events within Utah County. I have them posted in the room and included links for you here.

2. We responded to Journal #3 entitled "Ground Zero Mosque"               

           '" In a stirring defense of the proposed mosque and Muslim community center near Ground Zero, Obama declared last week that Muslims "have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country." Polls show nearly 70% of Americans oppose construction of the mosque, and that efforts to block other mosques have sprung up from California to Conneticut." As we will study Islam, let's write about our feelings concerning this debate.

3. We started our study of the ancient Greek culture today. Each student received a handout detailing the information that will we discover over the next few class periods.

HOMEWORK

1. Each student was given an article regarding the ancient Minoan culture, Classical Greece, and Alexander the Great. Please annotate and notate (5-8) each page of the article using color. This is due on Wednesday, September 15th.

2. Your first EXAM is scheduled for Tuesday, September 20th. Prepare this way:

               a. What are the Humanities?

               b. Why is studying the Humanities so important?

               c. Why should an "observer" learn more of the time period and artist's personal life prior to making a judgement about a piece of art?

               d. Define the following terms and make sure you can apply them: Composition, Mood, Color, Balance/Unity, and Movement

               e. Students will randomly draw one piece of artwork from the "hat." They will then need to evaluate the piece using the above elements. We did this in class with "The Raft of the Medusa." In order to assist you with this section of the exam, I have included the pieces of artwork below. Realize that you won't know your focus until the day of the exam; however, you can easily learn more about them through some research.  Remember that I am going to ask you to comment on the composition, color, mood, balance/unity and movement in the piece that you select.

"Judith and Holofernes" by Artemisia Gentileschi

"Flagellation of Christ" by Piero della Francesca

"Melancholy" by Durer

"Burial of the Count of Orgaz" by El Greco

"Penitent Magdalene" by Georges de la Tour

What did we do in class on Thursday, September 9th?

Dear Humanities Students,

If you missed class today we completed the following:

1. Reviewed the aspects regarding "Academic Voice" and the correct citation method following MLA format. When you return, please visit with me so I can give you the corresponding handout for this information.

2. I returned your "What are the Humanities?" paper. I indicated that this response was graded purely based on "following instructions;" however, from now on I will access your work based upon the use of Academic Voice in your writing.

3. I introduced the aspects of COMPOSITION, COLOR, MOOD, BALANCE/HARMONY, and MOVEMENT by using the "Raft of Medusa" as my model. Again, please see me upon your return.

4. We viewed a clip from Edward Scissor Hands that illustraed the five elements discussed above (composition, color, mood, balance/harmony, and movement)

5. We discussed the requirements for your "Cultural Event Reports." Two are required for the semester; the first is due on or before October 28th and the second is due on or before December 17th. Please visit with me about this requirement upon your return.

If you missed class on Tuesday, September 7th....

Dear Humanities Students,

If you missed class today, we completed the following:
1. JOURNAL #2 entitled " Perception vs. Reality"
       This journal is one that you will need to complete upon your return to class, as it involves the use of several images that I DO NOT want to post. In essence, you can only see the images for approximately 5 seconds, and if they were available to you on the blog that would defeat the point of the journal entry.

"Perception vs. Reality" Journal #2
As you view the images, please record your initial perceptions. Once we have looked at them for a longer period of time, we'll review how closely your perceptions were in comparison with the realities of the images.


2. Students were asked to visit with the other students who researched the same artwork in order to compare their research. We then shared information regarding each piece concerning the difference in reality and perception now that everyone had completed some research.

HOMEWORK:
1. None for Thursday, September 9th
JUST DON'T MISS CLASS!

Cheers,
Crampton