Unearthing Mysteries: An Encounter with Fortuna at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

A Byzantine Tale of Civilization and Fate at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Where history meets artistry.

I am standing amidst the breathtaking expanse of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Amid the myriad of artifacts and art pieces, I find myself drawn to an artifact of particular intrigue. At first glance, it may not command your immediate attention, but I assure you, its narrative is as grand as any. It's a captivating statuette hailing from the Byzantine era, bearing the likeness of a Roman goddess: Fortuna, also known as Tyche.

Fortuna (Tyche), Late Roman
or Byzantine ca. 300-500 C.E.

Upon closer inspection, you begin to notice the details etched into this statuette that elevate it from a simple representation of a goddess to a profound symbol of historical narrative. A distinguishing feature of Fortuna is her sculptural headdress, ingeniously designed to mimic a city-like fortress, replete with a gate, and walls to fortify it. The statuette portrays her with this sculptural motif of a city perched atop her head — a poignant indication of the goddess's authority and influence.

But, the statuette holds more in its petite form. Cradled in Fortuna's hand is a cornucopia - a classic emblem of abundance and prosperity. This combination, a city upon her head and a symbol of prosperity in her hand, is powerful. It's a juxtaposition that beautifully ties together the themes of urban society and fortune.

The statuette isn't merely an exquisite work of art; it's a vessel, carrying layers of symbolism and a profound narrative within it. Fortuna, adorned in her cityscape headdress, seated on a throne, paints a picture of the intricate relationship between chance or fortune and the development of civilization. It's a compelling reminder of how the evolution of societies has always been tied to the capricious hands of fate.

So, it isn't just a 'cool little statuette' - it's a piece of history, a symbol of societal evolution, and a testament to the intricate craftsmanship of the Byzantine era. It's the embodiment of the idea that every artifact carries a tale, waiting to be discovered, waiting to be told. Take a moment to admire this extraordinary piece of history and let Fortuna's tale unfold.

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Writing a Movie Review: Writer's Workshop for Middle and High School Grades 8-10

Incorporating Movies into English Language Arts and Writing Instruction

Unlock English mastery! Transform your classroom with
engaging movie reviews that boost language skills, critical thinking,
and student participation.

Movies are more than just an engaging way to pass the time. They are an amalgamation of storytelling, characterization, themes, and visual representation, which offer a vibrant medium to teach English language arts and writing instruction. Imagine this — your class of young, energetic middle or high schoolers analyzing, discussing, and reviewing movies while learning and honing their English skills. Not only is it fun and engaging, but it also provides an interactive way to understand complex language structures, themes, and concepts.

What's Included?

1. Teacher's Note for Using this Resource in the English and Writing Classroom: A helpful guide to ensure you get the most out of the resources provided.

2. Do's and Don'ts Anchor Chart: A visual guide to direct students on what to include and what to avoid in their movie review.

3. Fillable Movie Information Sheet for Before, During, and After Viewing: This allows students to track key information and impressions throughout the viewing experience, which helps build their review later.

4. Extended Written Response, Movie Quotes Double Entry Journal, Parts of a Movie Review Graphic Organizer: These tools support and scaffold students' writing, thinking, and reflection processes.

5. 3 Exit Ticket Strategies for Formative Assessment: These will help you gauge student understanding and progress at the end of each lesson.

6. Movie Review Skills Assessment, 4-Point Grading Rubric, Student-Facing Checklist, and Grading Sheet: These tools help students self-assess their work and aid teachers in providing clear, fair, and consistent grading.

7. 5-Star Rating and Rough Draft Starter: This provides students a starting point for their review and a simple, familiar way to give their overall rating.

Incorporating movie analysis into your curriculum can be a dynamic way to inspire student engagement and improve their English language and writing skills. By combining entertainment and education, you're teaching them language and skills like critical thinking, analysis, and self-expression.

Related Products

To further extend your resources, consider other products from Stones of Erasmus:

✰ Growing Humanities Bundle for Middle and High School 

✰ Myth Unit for Middle and High School (40+ Days of Content!) 

✰ "A Good Man is Hard to Find" by Flannery O'Connor: Short Story Discussion 

✰ Diagnostic English Language Learner Exams and Essay for Middle and High School

✰ Making Timelines and Recalling Events for Writing in English Language Arts

✰ Integrating Quotations: Writing Activity for the English Language Arts Classroom

Join me on this educational journey. Your feedback, comments, and insights are always welcome. Visit my website at stonesoferasmus.com for more resources and ideas.

© 2022-2023 Stones of Erasmus.

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A Glimpse of Mythology Above Grand Central Station: The Watchful Hermes

I’m standing here at the entrance to Grand Central Station on 42nd Street and Park Avenue, admiring the statue of the god Hermes, also known as Mercury, that stands on top of the pediment.

I met a friend at Grand Central station today and decided to do a quick, impromptu art history lesson.

As I navigate the bustling streets of Manhattan, New York, I find myself standing amidst a cacophony of the city's rhythm. There, at the intersection of 42nd Street and Park Avenue, in front of the iconic Grand Central Station, I pause and raise my eyes to the architectural marvel that is the terminus building. Perched atop this historic landmark is an impressive, grand sculpture that seizes my attention — the radiant figure of the Greek god Hermes, or as the Romans would say, Mercury.

Unlocking Student Accountability in Group Discussions: The Power of Self-Evaluation in the English Language Arts Classroom

Once upon a time, in a bustling middle school, an English Language Arts class gathered in groups, each fervently discussing the nuances of a narrative they were assigned to read. As the bell rang signaling the end of the period, the students scurried to their next class. The teacher, however, noticed a missed opportunity - a chance to debrief and reflect.

Such moments are a chance to instill accountability in students and provide a forum for metacognitive reflection, making classroom learning a more conscious process. Harnessing these opportunities, the teacher introduced a new ritual in their class. After each group activity, they set aside three minutes for students to self-evaluate their performance, creating a potent opportunity for formative assessment.

In these moments, the students pondered upon their participation, considering whether they had effectively contributed to discussions, built on others' ideas, and expressed their views clearly and persuasively. The tangible ripple effect was palpable, with students becoming more accountable, mindful, and confident speakers and listeners.

Empower your ELA class! Foster accountability & reflection
with Stones of Erasmus' Self-Evaluation Form.

Imagine if your classroom could emulate this! With Stones of Erasmus' Self-Evaluation Form for Group Work, it can! This resource offers a teacher guide, a self-evaluation form, a Google Form for group work self-evaluation, and a bonus link to a FREE student note-taking template.

Using evaluations in your English Language Arts classroom isn't just about creating better speakers and listeners; it's about enhancing student accountability and setting class routines. By allotting grades for evaluations, you show students that their participation counts towards their overall performance, amplifying the importance of effective collaboration and communication.

Like our teacher, you too can foster accountability in your classroom, contributing towards a more engaging, reflective, and productive learning environment. Explore more about this resource and others at stonesoferasmus.com. Let's journey together towards better teaching, writing, and arts & letters.

Exclusively from Stones of Erasmus

© 2023 stonesoferasmus.com.

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Resurrecting Adam: Tullio Lombardo's Masterpiece Restored

Located within the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art stands an exceptional sculpture that exemplifies the brilliance of the Venetian artist, Tullio Lombardo. His interpretation of Adam, a pivotal figure from the Genesis story, is a masterpiece that testifies to the artist's unique sculpting style and uncanny understanding of the human form.

Marveling at Tullio Lombardo's Young Warrior: A Journey into Late 15th Century Venetian Art

Tucked into a portion of the east side of Central Park in New York City, nestled among a myriad of remarkable artifacts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, stands a profound example of late 15th-century Venetian art. This remarkable piece is a marble sculpture of a young warrior by Tullio Lombardo, a master of the Italian Renaissance from Venice. The immersive experience of admiring this piece face-to-face truly transcends the ordinary museum visit.

Exploring Ancient Rome: The Majestic Bust of Marcus Aurelius at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

I've taken to re-visiting some of my favorite works of art. Here's a fantastic piece from Rome — created around the second century C.E.

Exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City today. I’m admiring a second-century C.E. bust of a Roman youth. This isn’t just any youth - it’s a youthful portrait of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher and Roman emperor.

Athena Resources are Abundant on Stones of Erasmus: Plus, A Free Coloring Book (Just Click the Link!)

Greetings, dear readers!

Download a free PDF of an Athena-Inspired coloring book.

As part of our ongoing journey to make learning both engaging and fun, Stones of Erasmus is thrilled to announce a unique offering – a free, Athena-inspired coloring book! This isn't your ordinary coloring book; it's a piece of art, designed with dedication and love, intended to bring the mesmerizing world of Greek mythology closer to you and your students.

Meet Athena: The Goddess of Wisdom

For those who are new to Greek mythology, Athena, also known as Minerva in Roman mythology, is the goddess of wisdom. She is often depicted as a perpetual virgin and is symbolized by the owl. This powerful and wise goddess is the star of our coloring book. Each coloring book page displays Athena in myriad ways, ranging from serious to whimsical interpretations. We've applied our creative license, delivering unique depictions of the goddess to inspire your imagination. To deepen the learning experience, we've also included a "Further Reading Guide" with links to mythology-related books and websites where you can discover more about Athena and her fascinating stories.

Use the Coloring Book in the Classroom

This Athena-inspired coloring book is an excellent resource to supplement a mythology unit for middle or high school students. Each student could be assigned a different 'Athena' and invited to develop their creative writing skills by crafting a backstory, detailing the goddess's character traits, or elaborating on a specific myth.

And of course, the book can also serve its traditional purpose: providing hours of coloring fun!

Let's Respect Copyright

We feel it's important to mention that this coloring book is protected by U.S. copyright law. It is intended for educational purposes in a classroom setting and not for wider distribution. If you know a fellow teacher or educator who might benefit from this resource, we encourage you to share the link to this post. Let's respect creativity and the hard work of creating these resources.

Get Your Free Coloring Book Today

Our Athena coloring book is more than just a book; it's an invitation to explore, learn, and have fun. So why wait? Click the link, download your free Athena-inspired coloring book, and embark on a fascinating journey into the world of Greek mythology!

(Note: This blog post is subject to copyright. Please ensure you adhere to the terms mentioned above. For the premium version of the coloring book, click here!)

Happy coloring!

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Exploring Artistic Marvels: Unveiling the Spinario at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

I’m at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and admiring a 16th-century copy of a bronze sculpture from an ancient work now held at the Capitoline Museum in Rome. It’s called the Spinario and it depicts a youth pulling a thorn out of his foot.

Exploring art's timelessness at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captivated by the Spinario—a 16th-century replica of a poignant ancient masterpiece, depicting a youth's tender act of self-care.

Clip Art: Athena Fights the Titan Enceladus

Athena fights Enceladus

Minerva with her shield of serpents attacks the Titan Enceladus with her lance. Enceladus holds a shield on which is a triskelion, symbol of Sicily, where he was swallowed by Aetna. A falcon or hawk seems to combat Minerva's owl. Rouen Museum. Source note: Elite des monuments céramographiques : matériaux pour l''histoire des religions et des moeurs de l''antiquité. (Paris : Leleux, 1844-1861) Lenormant, Charles (1802-1859), Author. Retrieved from the New York Public Library Digital Collections. The image is in the public domain. Uploaded by Stones of Erasmus.

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