The Odyssey Travel Co.
http://www.ancientsites.com/~Torrey_Philemon/odyssey/odysseyindex.htm
An excellent site with many valuable resources
http://gamma.mhpcc.edu/schools/hualalai/teathree/odysseylessonsplash.htm
Excellent for teachers
This assignment is a fun way for students to take many of their skills learned and apply them. It will also take into account what they have been reading from the Odyssey by Homer.
The first step students must take is to choose a story from their readings of The Odyssey.
They must then decide where the story takes place in the “real” world. To do this, students must use provided Internet sites and the map I have for them to discern the location where the story takes place.
(when there, click on make map larger)
Students must then list all the details that describe their location. Students must separate the details into different categories. These categories would be: location’s physical details, details about the inhabitants, and things to do.
After students have done this, they must research the location using sources other than the story. They must use the Internet, encyclopedias, geography books, and any other sources that can provide them with information about their chosen location. The students must then add any pertinent information to their lists.
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~boris/ETNA.html
http://www.unict.it/dipartimenti/biologia_animale/webnatur/introeng.htm
Next, based on all the information that has been gathered, students must then decide what type of vacation they wish to write about. For example, if the story takes place high up in the mountains, the vacation could be a camping trip, a skiing trip, etc. If it took place on an island, there could be a cruise along with staying at hotels and having various activities on a beach. Students must be creative and have fun with their vacation ideas. They should consider all the pros and cons about a vacation at their location.
After students have done all these steps, it is time for them to actually create a travel brochure. They must go to a word processor program and type out their information booklet. Their booklets will include pictures that they have found. Students can then either print out their brochures or just the information so that it can be put together in a pamphlet.
Students must “sell” their trips when they write the brochures. They must use adjectives, adverbs, and phrases to help readers visualize the vacation. For example: “Visitors will enjoy our beaches with clear sparkling water that is perfect for scuba diving and underwater photography of marine life” or “Miles of magnificent beaches of bright white sand – many of them isolated – stand out brilliantly against the inviting blue-green of the sea.” Students must remember that in advertising it is possible to turn negatives into positives. A visit to Scylla and Charybdis might be compared to an exciting. “death defying” theme park ride. A stop at the island of the Cyclopes could be “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the famous one-eyed giants and explore their wonderful cave homes.”
Before creating their finished product, students should consider these things: