Lesson Plan: “The Flight of Icarus”

In the first of my teaching related posts, I present to you my lesson plan on The Flight of Icarus. I have not yet taught this plan, but I feel that it will go well. Please feel free to add any comments that you may have and, of course, to use this lesson in your own classroom.

(Plan has been re-formated some to fir this webpage. Additionally, when implemented in my class it will include a brief independent reading time.)

Lesson Plan for The Flight of Icarus
Virginia SOLs: 7.5 abdefg
Objectives: Students will read and understand the myth of Icarus. They will engage in discussion and utilize graphic organizers to compare/contrast classical and modern (musical) interpretations of the myth.
Materials: Flight of Icarus lyrics overhead.
Flight of Icarus compare / contrast graphic organizer.
Flight of Icarus song by Iron Maiden
Classroom textbook set.

Procedures:

1. Reading: The Flight of Icarus
   1. Quickwrite: Complete one of the following sentences:
      I wish I could fly because…
      If we could not fly…
   2. Guide students in reading the story (page 675lit)
   3. Guide student in discussion of the story.
      Specific questions: Morals in Mythology. How are Icarus and Orpheus similar? What do you think of Icarus? How would you have felt if you were him?
2. Comparing / Contrasting
   1. Play “The Flight of Icarus” for class.
      Instruct students to listen to the lyrics and compare how the story is told in music to the story we just read.
   2. Place overhead of lyrics on the projector. Distribute graphic organizer and give students about 5 minutes to fill it out before discussion.
   3. Guide students in discussing the differences between the written myth and the song.
3. Closure / Cleanup

Click the link below to download the graphic organizer in MS Word .doc format.
Flight of Icarus Compare / Contrast Graphic Organizer