Resources for Teachers and Students
Books:
Damrosch, David. The Buried Book New York: Henry Holt & Company, 2006. Besides being an incredible resource for the epic of
Gilgamesh
and its various reincarnations in literature,
The Buried Book
is a narrative detailing the discovery of the epic and its impact throughout history
Foster, Benjamin. The Epic of Gilgamesh: A Norton Critical Edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2001. This is a translation of Gilgamesh from various sources. The book also contains analogues, literary criticisms, and essays addressing the epic poem. It is the translation used for this curriculum unit and serves as a valuable resource.
Foster, Thomas How to Read Literature Like A Professor. New York: HarperCollins , 2003
.
This book is a valuable resource for not only teachers but students looking to analyze literature. It is a way to "read between the lines" looking for hidden meaning and symbolism within the literature we read.
Geraldine McCaughrean,. The Epic of Gilgamesh Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2003
.
A retelling of the epic for ages nine and older. The story is the tale of Gilgamesh written in language for younger students. It includes illustrations and is a valuable resource for struggling readers or as an introduction to the epic.
Internet:
The British Museum (http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/default.aspx). The website has a variety of materials and visuals pertaining to all aspects of world history. There are different visuals students can look at including the tablets of Gilgamesh and examples of cuneiform.
The Hero's Journey (http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/smc/journey/) - This website is designed to have students analyze and write a story using the structure of the mythical "hero". The site takes students and teachers on a "journey" to analyze and learn about different myths and epics.
The Hero's Journey: A Resource for Educators, Teachers, and Students (http://www.yourheroicjourney.com/Curricul.shtml). This website is a companion to the book, The Hero's Journey: Guide to Literature and Life. The author is quoted as describing the book/site as "a 10 chapter, 12-unit curriculum which uses the pattern of the heroic journey as a foundation for studying and understanding literature, film, and experience." The website has links to different articles and essays as well as ways to purchase the book. Some of the information may prove valuable in teaching this unit.
Outta Ray's Head Lesson Plans (http://home.cogeco.ca/~rayser3/litera1.htm): This website has a wealth of writing activities. Some of the activities can be fine tuned and used within this curriculum unit.
Purdue University: Online Writing Lab (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_logicon.html)- Website with information for persuasive writing as well as all types of writing. Helpful to students as they write their final essays.
Materials for Classroom Activities:
- Copies of Benjamin Foster's
The Epic of Gilgamesh
- Journals
- Excerpts of the Flood Story from the Bible
- Chart paper/poster paper
- Markers, glue, other art supplies
- Computers
