Cody took a fall workshop on Greek Wars through the Lukeion Project. For those not familiar with it, they offer online classes and workshops on ancient Greek and Roman topics. This husband and wife team (who homeschooled their own kids) spent 10 years on archaeological digs in the Mediterranean, including at Troy (as in: "Helen of..").
Cody finished the first workshop and wanted more. After perusing the next batch of offerings, he picked two, including one on the Iliad. Now, this is a story he's very familiar with, and one of his favorite books is "Black Ships Before Troy" - a retelling of the Iliad. After checking what time it started (7:15 am our time) and him assuring me that he would willingly get up at that time once a week for the next month, I signed him up.
Without bothering to find out exactly what taking this workshop entailed. Silly me.
You see, one of the requirements is that you have to read 6 chapters of the real Iliad before each class. And I had signed him up 4 days before the first class started. Which means we had A LOT of reading to do. Actually, this meant I had a lot of reading to do, as he's dyslexic, and though his comprehension is sky high, his reading skills are not quite at Iliad level.
At first I wasn't too worried. 6 chapters sounds like nothing. Turns out, it's something. This is not light reading. With names like Ephialtes, Eeriboea, Eurypylus, Ereuthalion - there's much stopping and sounding out being done. Also - these are not short chapters. I've taken to sucking throat lozenges while I read, as my voice starts cracking about halfway through.
I can't even cheat by having him watch "Troy".
Oh sure, it has the requisite eye candy, but it doesn't accurately follow the story. Besides, that would be cheating.
They're having a workshop on "The Odyssey" next. I hope my voice can hold out...
9 comments:
Wow...sounds totally neat! I love all things Greek. I think I was Greek in a previous life. ;>
The Iliad is tough going. I've never read it myself, but my 12 YO had to read that (the Robert Fagles translation) last year for a history co-op he did. This year, he'll have it easier...he's taking a highschool English correspondence course on mythology, and they only require the Edith Hamilton Mythology book (along with The King Must Die and Greek Drama).
Good luck to your voice! ;)
And thanks for mentioned Lukeion - I'd seen it mentioned on another list, but hadn't checked it out. Since ds#1 is into Greek myths, it might be something he could do (and he's already read the Iliad...LOL!)
Remember that beautiful proclamation in your blog profile about "learning right along with my kid"?? Yep. That one. Looks like somebody up there in those Greek constellations is holding you accountable, eh?
Oh! I love the sound of this online class! Makes me wish I had something other than dial up. My boys would eat this up...I've read the Iliad though, I know what you're saying...I nearly pulled all my hair out trying to pronounce everything correctly and still follow the story, so I think it will be a few years before we plunge into the "real" Iliad..until then all the interpretations and such will work for us :-P Because Im LAZY lol
Speaking of reading books and watching movies, we went to see "City of Ember" this afternoon and it was incredible!!!!! My son has been told a million times that the book is always better than the movie. When the movie was over, I asked him if he like it. He said, "The movie was great, but the book was even better!"
Make sure you read the book series and see the movie!
(oooo...making note of Kimberly's comment. I love that book and am thrilled to know they didn't screw it up)
Okay...I love the Illiad. Love it. Have translated it :-) And it's not light reading at all. Is there a way that you can get it on CD for him to listen to? I cannot read aloud like that. Completely kills my voice. I am one of the few people out there that does NOT read to my kids...
And I have got to check out that link!
Teresa,
If your son likes this kind of thing, he'll love the workshops! They're live, so the kids can type in questions, or ask them (if you have a microphone). We like that it's more interactive, and less of watching a canned lecture.
The Fagles translation was the backup if we couldn't find the Lombardo translation. Fortunately our county library had 2 copies. We really like it (even hubby is getting into the story), it's just time consuming.
Kerry,
Just another instance of my own words coming back to bite me on the a**. Figures ;D
Stace,
Your boys would love this! Too bad about the dial up. At least you've already read it, so when your boys are ready you can help!
Kimberly,
We haven't read the book yet. Maybe we'll do that before we see the movie. Thanks for the tip!
Kat,
I already thought of that. Unfortunately, our library system doesn't have it on audio, and Amazon only has an abridged version. I've actually always wanted to read it, so it's not really a bad thing. It's just rough going on my throat.
You'll love their program, though. It's right up your alley :)
Was the Lombardo translation the one Lukeion recommended? When ds had to read it, I went by the NY Times recommendation and bought the Fagles translation. Now, I'm intrigued enough to go search for the Lombardo version.
Stace actually brought up a good point that I'd forgotten: our internet connection. While satellite is pretty fast, it is NOT reliable. A heavy-breathing wasp flying by could send it into a tizzy, I kid you not. I may have to reconsider having ds do this; it could push his fragile teen mood down the hill. ;D Country living can be a pain at times.
Tersesa,
Yes, it was, but the Fagle version was the back-up recommendation if the Lombardo one couldn't be found. I'd never read either, so I can't really compare. I *do* really like this one, though.
My dad has the same issue with his internet. And his area is so rural that there's only ONE provider - so if you don't like it, you're out of luck.
Re internet connection: that's pretty much how it is with us. It's either phone line or this one satellite provider or nuthin'.
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