Hi hi,
I have been without computer during a house move for a few weeks. If you asked for a copy of my Odyssey stuff and I didn’t reply please email me again and I will send them over!
Thanks
Nancy

And do make sure you get the correct edition of the Odyssey as specified by the exam board; there are at least 3 different Penguin editions current. I recommend the Rieu [revised by Rieu] edition. It also contains synposes of each book at the front to help you get a quick idea of the story.

Also, try http://www.cambridgescp.com – myths & storytelling section. A bit babyish, but quick and easy to follow with useful [for you at least] information about Greek heroes, Gods & Goddesses, plus some audio resources.

Deborah – you try to run before you can walk. Read the book first.

Show students a map; ask them what they know about the Trojan War and where their knowledge came from [probably film Troy] -; show them a clip.
It doesn’t matter where you start; could start with Cyclops story – show them a picture from a Greek vase and get them to read the incident in Book9 of Odyssey and compare the two. Then take it from there. As as novice to this, I’d stick to simple whole-class reading with questions and discussion of themes that arise within the book. Or get students to act out the part of one of the characters.

Paul,
Book ordered from Amazon late last night (although the muppet in me forgot to get the free supersaver delivery).

Another resource you could use is the retelling of the Iliad and Odyssey stories by storytellers produced by the Cambridge Schools Classics Project on CD (War with Troy: the story of Achilles, and Return from Troy: the story of Odysseus). These are aimed at a younger audience but are still spellbinding and enjoyable by all ages. You could listen in the car yourself and then maybe use them in the classroom too! Good luck!

Hi Deborah
I have made booklets for the Odyssey both for year 10 and year 12. They are for OCR but may be useful. Email me nancyjmoore@gmail.com and I’ll send them over. Also there is a made for TV film version. Not the greatest attempt ever but certainly good for prompting discussion. Mine is from Amazon.
Nancy x

so many things you could do – but essential for them [and you!] to have basic understanding of Trojan War. Could show students ’Troy’ but beware ’hollywoodesque’ tendency to distort. Go for myths of ’Golden Apple’ and basic outline of the War culminating in Wooden Horse. That should whet their appetites. Then the scene is set for post-war Odyssey. Read the book with students [they NEVER EVER read it themselves!]. Books 1-4 form Telemachy [i.e. the scene on Ithaca, Odysseus' home] where Od.’s son Telemachus and his mother deal with suitors who have moved in and try to take over. Books 5-12 introduce to Odysseus and retell his adventures since leaving Troy [Cyclops story etc.]. The Books 13 to end chart Odysseus back on Ithaca and his gradual reestablishment of himself as king [i.e. kills suitors etc.]. All with help from his patron goddess, Athene, plus assistance from his son and others. Panic not – the storyline is straightforward. Once you read it [and don;t forget to get Peter Jones book which will help you enormously] you’ll have lots of ideas. Themes such as Revenge and Divine interventions are obvious; look out for xenia [offering and receiving hospitality] – this is a favourite theme; also slaves’ loyalty and disloyalty; Odysseus’ leadership qualities etc. Good luck!

Paul, Julie and Rod- I am and will remain eternally grateful!! Will get myself a copy of Odyssey tomorrow and start reading. All pointers to get me going in the right direction gratefully accepted-if any of you ever find yourselves having to teach German or French , am happy to repay you as have schemes of work, power points and worksheets galore!!
Will start by reading the book myself as you all (tactfully suggested), but how would you set the scene for the pupils?
As ever, my heartfelt thanks for your patience and offers of help.
Deborah

Hi Deborah. I just caught up on this. Go for Homer’s Odyssey. You need to read through the whole book yourself: not arduous as it’s an easy read and will also go down well with students. I suggest you also trawl through some of the resources on the Classics Library: loads of brillant helpful stuff there. Get a copy of Peter Jones’ commentary to the Penguin – it’s thorough but highly readable and will fill you in on the relevant themes for each of the 24 books.[chapters are called books]. That should help you a lot. For each prescribed book [chapter] students need to know the storyline and be able to respond to questions on characters as well as themes which are outline in the specification. Let me know if you need further help/resources. Paul

OOps-now see why I am worried! Have a lovely group of year 10s-but think only 1 boy, so which would you choose? I obviously need to be a little a head of them, so where would you start?
Deborah

you poor thing!. Homer produced both the Iliad and the Odyssey. Iliad I think is much more serious (and better) but more difficult. Odyssey more to do with fantasy, monsters etc. Necessary background is listed in spec. Most important thing is for students to have thorough knowledge of what happens in the poem, before you start to look at themes. It’s really a matter of which epic your students will prefer- war or monsters. Hope this helps.

How much scene setting do you do? and are there any good sources you can recommend?
Thank you for your patience!
Deborah

this will sound silly, but which is easier to master? Homer or iliad?