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VocabularyThe Curse of Winter

October/November 2017

• Describe a time when you were feeling glum.

• Write a short newspaper article about a crime committed by a devious robber.

• If your new classroom looked drab, what might you and your classmates do to improve it?

• Write a short story about a creature that lumbers through the forest.

• Would you want to live for eternity? Explain why or why not.

Write On!Directions: View the vocabulary slideshow for The Curse of Winter, which will help you learn the meaning of the bolded words in the play. Then choose ONE of the five writing prompts below and respond to it. Your response should include the vocabulary word used in the prompt, plus one other bolded word from the play.

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Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________

© 2017 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.

Continue on another piece of paper if you need more room.

The Curse of Winter October/November 2017

Think About It! Close-Reading Questions: After reading The Curse of Winter, go back and reread sections to answer the questions below.

1. Reread the Prologue and Scene 1. What does the Greek Chorus mean when they say that “mankind depends on their sister Demeter”?

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2. Why does Hades snatch Persephone and take her to the Underworld?

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3. In Scene 3, why does Persephone change her mind about eating the pomegranate that Hades offers her?

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Close Reading & Critical Thinking


Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________


4. In Scenes 4 and 5, what is Demeter’s response to her daughter’s disappearance? What happens to the earth when Persephone and Demeter are reunited in Scene 7?

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5. Reread the Epilogue. What is the main purpose of this scene?

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Critical-Thinking Questions: After answering the close-reading questions, answer the critical-thinking questions below, thinking about the meaning of the whole play.

6. How are Hades and Demeter different from each other? In what ways are they similar?

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Think About It! p. 2


Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________


7. The play tells us there is a winter season because Demeter is sad while her daughter is in the Underworld. Why do you think the ancient Greeks used sadness to explain why we have winter?

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Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________


Directions: After reading The Curse of Winter, go back and reread sections to answer the questions below. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Close-Reading Questions:

1. Reread the Prologue and Scene 1. What does the Greek Chorus mean when they say that “mankind

depends on their sister Demeter”?

2. Why does Hades snatch Persephone and take her to the Underworld?

3. In Scene 3, why does Persephone change her mind about eating the pomegranate that Hades

offers her?

4. In Scenes 4 and 5, what is Demeter’s response to her daughter’s disappearance? What happens to the

earth when Persephone and Demeter are reunited in Scene 7?

5. Reread the Epilogue. What is the main purpose of this scene?

Critical-Thinking Questions:

6. How are Hades and Demeter different from each other? In what ways are they similar?

7. The play tells us there is a winter season because Demeter is sad while her daughter is in the

Underworld. Why do you think the ancient Greeks used sadness to explain why we have winter?


Think About It!


Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________

The Curse of WinterOctober/November 2017LL


Think About It!Close-Reading Questions: Read The Curse of Winter. Then go back and reread scenes from the play to answer the questions below. We’ve started the first two for you.

1. The character box on page 20 says Demeter is the “goddess of the harvest.” What is she in charge of as goddess of the harvest? Reread the Prologue and Scene 1 to help you.

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2. Reread Scene 2. Why does Hades want Persephone to live in the Underworld? (Hint: What is missing from his kingdom?)

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As goddess of the harvest, Demeter is in charge of

Hades wants Persephone to live in the Underworld because


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3. Reread Scene 4. What happens to nature while Demeter is looking for Persephone? What danger does this create for humans?

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4. In Scene 6, when Persephone leaves the Underworld, Hades says, “Until we meet again.” What does he know that Persephone does not know?

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5. How does Zeus solve the problem of whether Persephone should live with Hades or with Demeter?

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Critical-Thinking Question (big question about the whole story):

6. How does this myth explain why we have winter? Do you think Zeus made a good decision? Explain your answer.

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Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________


Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________

The Curse of WinterOctober/November 2017

Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________

A myth is a story that people told long ago, often to help explain something about the natural world. In this activity, you will explore what makes the play The Curse of Winter a myth.

Directions: The gray boxes below list three characteristics that myths often have. After reading each one, answer the question that follows using details from the play. Then answer the questions on the next page.

What details in The Curse of Winter suggest that the story comes from the past?

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1. Myths come from long ago.

Genre

Understanding Myth

Who are the gods and goddesses in this play? What role does each perform? List them here.

God/Goddess Role

2. Myths feature gods and goddesses.

According to the play’s epilogue, what happens to the earth each year when Persephone spends three months in the Underworld? What happens when she returns to her mother?

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3. Myths explain something about the natural world.



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Genre

Understanding Myth, p. 2

4. Based on your answer to question 3, what part of nature does this story explain?

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5. Why do you think the ancient Greeks used stories like this one to help explain natural events? (Hint: Think

about the time period in which the story was created.)

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Understanding SettingDirections: Setting is the time period and place in which a story happens. By describing the setting of a story, an author can help you imagine living in that world. Answer the questions below to help you understand the setting in The Curse of Winter.

Setting

1. Compare and contrast the setting in the right half and left half of the illustration on pages 20-21. What

descriptions in the play support your ideas?

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2. When and where does the play take place? Does the play show this time period and place in a realistic way?

Explain.

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3. What is the mood (or feeling) of Scene 3? Which details of the scene’s setting help create this mood?

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4. The story unfolds in three main locations. Name each one and briefly describe what it is like.

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5. Throughout the play, how do the events of the plot affect the setting? Explain using details from the play.

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Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________

Core Skills Workout



A Cursed Plot

Plot

The action of a story is called the plot. Most plots follow a similar pattern. The introduction presents a character’s main problem. Then the problem gets more complicated until the climax—or exciting turning point—of the story happens. And then (whew!) the resolution: The problem is resolved. Finally, there’s a conclusion. In this activity, you’ll figure out the different parts of the plot in The Curse of Winter.

Directions: Fill in each block in the pyramid, using the prompts to help you.

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2

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3Climax

What happens as Persephone is leaving the

Underworld?

2The Plot Thickens

How does Demeter respond to Persephone’s being

gone? What does she do after learning who took her

daughter?

1IntroductionWhat problem

does Hades cause? Why?

4Resolution

What does Zeus decide about where Persephone should

live?

5ConclusionHow does

Zeus’s decision affect

the earth?

Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________

Core Skills Workout


7. How is Persephone’s life in the Underworld different from life with her mother?

8. Based on this myth, why is winter three months long?

Constructed Response Directions: On a separate piece of paper, write your answer to each question in a well-organized response.

Make sure you support your answers with details from the play.


Name: Date:

Assessment

October/November 2017LL

The Curse of Winter QuizDirections: Read the play The Curse of Winter in the October/November 2017 issue of Storyworks.

Then fill in the bubble next to the best answer for each question below.

1. Where does Hades take Persephone after he grabs her?A to Mount Olympus B to the Greek countryside C to the UnderworldD to a cloud

2. In Scene 4, you can guess that Helios doesn’t want to help the farmers find Persephone because he . . . A couldn’t see what happened from the sky. B doesn’t like Persephone. C is afraid of making Hades angry.Dwants all the crops to die.

3. Which line from the play supports your answer to question 2? A “I’m busy.” B “I can’t tell you. Hades has such a temper.”C “I’m serious. The world will starve.”D “The sun flashes an angry glare.”

4. What happens if someone eats food in the Underworld? A They must stay in the Underworld. B They must leave the Underworld.C They will always be hungry. D They will never be hungry again.

5. What is Zeus’ solution to the problem of Hades and Demeter both wanting Persephone always by their side?A Persephone will live only with Demeter. B Persephone will live only with Hades.C Persephone will live part of the time with

Demeter and the rest on Mount Olympus.D Persephone will live part of the time with

Demeter and part of the time with Hades.

6. Which word best describes Demeter when Persephone returns to her? A joyful C sneakyB sad D serious

9. According to the myth of Persephone and Demeter, why is winter three months long?

10. Describe two ways that Hades tricks Persephone.

Constructed Response Directions: On a separate piece of paper, write your answer to each question in a well-organized response.

Make sure you support your answers with details from the play.


Name: Date:

Assessment

October/November 2017HL

The Curse of Winter QuizDirections: Read the play The Curse of Winter in the October/November 2017 issue of Storyworks.

Then fill in the bubble next to the best answer for each question below.

1. Which word means the same as drab in the phrase “Hades considers how to persuade Persephone to come to the drab Underworld”?A damp C coldB dreary D distant

2. What does Persephone do in Scene 3 when Hades first offers her pomegranate seeds? A She eats three pomegranate seeds. B She refuses to eat any pomegranate seeds.C She takes care of the pomegranate tree. D She laughs at Hades.

3. Which line from the play supports your answer to question 2?A “These crops are strong and healthy.” B “Persephone’s joyous laughter fills the air.”C “Then she looks into his devious eyes and

changes her mind.”D “ In her happiness, Persephone takes three

pomegranate seeds and eats them.”

4. Demeter responds to Persephone’s disappearance by . . . A stopping Helios from traveling across the sky. B looking for her daughter in the Underworld. C asking the farmers for help. D letting the crops die.

5. In Scene 4, you can infer that Helios doesn’t want to help the farmers find Persephone because he . . . A has other things he must do. B is mad at the farmers. C is afraid of making Hades angry.Dwants to punish all humans.

6. Which line from the play supports your answer to question 3? A “I can’t tell you. Hades has such a temper.”B “I’m busy.” C “I’m serious. The world will starve.”D “The sun flashes an angry glare.”

7. Which character trait best describes Persephone while she is in the Underworld? A joyous B clever C devious D glum

8. What happens if someone eats food in the Underworld? A They will always be hungry. B They will never be hungry again.C They must stay in the Underworld. D They must leave the Underworld.


Continue on another piece of paper if you need more room.

a a clearly stated main idea

aeffective use of supporting evidence

a good organization and transitions

a grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Entries will be judged on:

Imagine you are a teacher in ancient Greece. Write a speech to explain to students why we have seasons, based on this myth.

My name:

Teacher’s name:

School name:

School address: (Remember to include city, state, and ZIP code!)

School phone:

Parent’s name and email (optional): _____________________________________________________________

Winter Contest

My Response

See page 25 of the October/November 2017 issue of Storyworks for more information about this contest.

write on! - storyworks · the curse of winter ... the play tells us there is a winter season...

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