Sept.+12+-+15+Aegean+Culture+and+the+Rise+of+Ancient+Greece

Its 1623 B.C. You sit in your home with your family visiting and eating your meal for the day. The sun is shining brightly and your ready for another great day on the island of Thera. The gods have been kind to you all as your grape crop has prospered in the rich earth of this cycladic island. Suddenly the earth shakes as an explosion is heard outside. You rush with your family and look to the south as the volcano that has been silent for years has suddenly come to life. You stand there watching as a cloud of ash and roles towards you at 5000 feet per second, its upon you before you know it as you buckle to a knee trying to catch your breadth as the acidic ash burns your mouth, throat and lungs, strangling you as you fall to your death to be buried under the ash for thousands of years.

Reading Assignment
Students are to read "Aegean Culture and the rise of Ancient Greece" pages 58 - 81.

Discussion Questions
Students will make an intial post to two Discussion Questions for each week. Students will also post a minimum of two responses to Discussion Questions. The use of Discussion Questions allows for students to exchange ideas and knowledge to certain subjects. It is also important that students read each of the entries, even if it doesn't pertain to the questions that they addressed. The reasoning for this is that the exchange of information allows for further learner and a better understanding of the material. You are to go to the "Discussion" section to find the Discussion Questions for this week.

**Performance Objectives**
Each week students will be required to perform one of the Performance Objectives that has not been answered by another student. The purpose of the Performance Objective is to take the information you have learned to another level through researching the material through online sources and posting the additional information in your answer. This means that you will become the expert on this subject so when questions are raised by your peers you will need to answer them to the best of your ability. Students will also be required to post a response to two of your peers Performance Objectives giving you a chance to ask questions and comment on the material so that you can learn more about the subject. Students are to go to the "Discussion" section and post their answers in the Performance Objectives section.

**Performance Objective Questions**
Students are to answer one Performance Objective. You are also responsible to respond to a minimum of two Performance Objectives by your peers. You are to go to the "Discussion" section to find the Discussion Questions for this week.

3.1:How has Homer's Iliad and Odyssey influenced Western Poetry and why do you think these classics are still play a powerful influence in today's education? Also, how does Homer's work serve as a source for historical and archaeological researchers. For instance, Heinrich Schliemann excavated Homer's Troy, once thought to be fictional. Support your reasoning. 3.2: What are the roles of the gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon in the Homeric epics Iliad and Odyssey? What purpose did the inclusion serve both historically and religiously? 3.3: You are to choose one work of Greek art that is associated with Greek Mythology. You need to research the legend of the Greek god or goddess portrayed in the work of art. Then, write a description of the Greek artwork and the significance of the Greek god or goddess as depicted on the artwork. 3.4: You are to select a modern building/structure and write a description of it, incorporating the principles and vocabulary of the ancient Greeks (such as the platform, colonnade, entablature, etc.). 3.5: First look at the figure of the Kouros in Figure 3.25 and then look at Mycerinus and Khamerernebty in Figure 2.7. After looking at the two male figures tell me what similarities and differences you see in the two works of art. Find two additional web sources that you can quote from to support your observations.

Reflections
Reflecting on what you have learned is a very important step in the learning process. The student is to write a 1 to 2 page paper telling about their learning experience and the material that was covered that week. This is an excellent time for the student to ask questions about areas they had difficulty understanding, that wasn't answered in their discussion questions. You can post your reflections in the Discussion section look for "Reflections" to post you thoughts to.

Museum Web Link
After reading the material for the week students are to do a web search to find additional information on a subject that was covered in the reading. Example would be the Mona Lisa by Leonarda da Vinci. The student could take a tour of the Louve and tell about the experience of this virtual tour of the museum and seeing the Mona Lisa on display. The student will be required to share this information by posting their thoughts about the tour and also post the web link for others to have an opportunity to take the tour. Invariably, students will post the same link from time to time, but your interpretations should be different as each of your opinions will reflect the likes and dislikes of the individual. Students are to post your museum web link with your opinion by going to the Discussion sectoin and look for "Musem Web Link" to post your link and response.