Feedback Strategies

 

Feedback Image: Source

    After reading up on the effects of of praise vs feedback I was pleasantly surprised to see how much The Difference Between Praise and Feedback coincided with Carol Dweck's concept of growth mindset. I also was able to relate to these article because this is how my coach acts. It is not enough to simply say "good job" to somebody for their efforts. If there is any time during a practice where a stunt group hits a stunt but it was hit with a struggle we will be reprimanded if we respond to the group by telling them good job or encouraging them. This example supports the idea of fixed talent. Thus, we would be less inclined to try to new skills or improve our technique because we believe if it hit, even if it was a struggle, then it should be good. I do believe that "good jobs" are also very vague, as it states in The Trouble with Amazing: Giving Praise that Matters. It doesn't do anything for the other party. There is no instruction that could help them evolve their work. It just seems like a lazy response. In order to give the best feedback, you should be critical in order for the other person to get the most and be able to expand of their previous work.   

Topic Research

 

Mount Olympus Gods

    1. Zeus Loves: Leto

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    2. Zeus Loves: Persephone

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    3. Zeus Loves: Metis

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Week 3 Story: Achilles' Diary

Achilles quarrel with King Agamemnon

Dear Diary,

    It has been a few days since I last quarrelled with King Agamemnon. I have taken my people to a seashore ways away from my companions of the Greek army. I couldn't help but weep in despair over the injustices that had been made over me. Agamemnon had no right to slight me of my spoils. My poor mother couldn't consol me. I wonder how she is doing on her voyage to Olympus. I asked for her assistance in persuading Zeus, the king of gods, to aid me in my troubles. My request of his aid to the Trojan effort may sound naive and immature but how I long for Agamemnon to feel the foolishness that that was driving away the strongest warrior the Greeks have ever seen. They must understand that they will fall without my swift of blade. 

    I do fear that I will not know what to do with myself during my time out of battle. For I do miss the cries of the wounded and fearsome on the battlefield. But I must say that this time away from the Greeks has opened my mind some. I constantly think back to my mother had said to me. She told me of my fate, dying in my youth at Troy with an astounding legacy or going home and living a long eventful and meaningful life. My name not scratching the surface of the ancient scrolls. As of now I have no fame, Agamemnon has shamed me in front of the people. How would a life of anonymity serve me? Why I could be back at my home of Phthia with my father. I could swoon a fair maiden and create a harmonious family. I could teach my sons the skills of a warrior. What kind of reward does a man get for fighting anyways. We are all honored the same. So what should it matter if I decide to stay home all day instead of battle. Death comes to us all equally. That's it. It has been decided, I will stay out of battle. Nobody could convince me otherwise. I would rather cut off my own foot than serve under that Agamemnon. I will stay here with my noblest and most loved companion, Patroclus. 

-Achilles 

Author's Note: After reading the story of Homer's Iliad, I felt a certain attraction to Achilles' character. This diary entry is to be set in between What Thetis Did For Her Son and The Embassy to Achilles. During this time Achilles leaves the Greeks but we don't know what he was up to or how he felt before the other chiefs came to persuade him to come back. I felt that because of his change of stance on war, we needed to have some sort of look into his mind during this time. I pulled most of the events straight from Achilles dialogue in "The Embassy to Achilles". 

Bibliography: "Homer's Iliad" (retold by A.J. Church)  

        

Reading Notes: Homer's Iliad Part B

 

(Greece scene of the Trojan War vase)

    The second part of the Iliad focused on Hector, the son of King Priam. In the first part of the story Hector is stubborn and naive and doesn't recognize that if Achilles joins the fight he is pretty much done for. It seems that his character has changed and that he has come to the conclusion he will die and it will be by the hand of Achilles. It's interesting to me because Hector and Achilles oddly parallel each other. They both had a sort of revelation about the fight. Achilles found that fighting would waste the amount of time left he has in his life. Although, he does decide to retaliate after learning of the death of his most loved ally, Patroclus. And Hector comes to terms that he must stand outside the gates of Troy and battle with Achilles for his city. I liked that the two central characters were given similar character arcs. It gives me plenty of ideas for what I could do in the future. If I were to rewrite this story I would probably play into the similarities between the two warriors a bit more than it does here. 

Bibliography: "Homer's Iliad" (retold by A.J. Church)

Reading Notes: Homer's Iliad Part A

 

Achilles in Battle

    When reading about Achilles during the battles against the Trojans, I couldn't help but wonder if there was going to be any part that told his "origin story". Most of us know Achilles from the phrase Achilles heel. The story where his mother, Thetis, dipped him into the River Styx by his heel. After coming out of the river he was invulnerable. Except for his heel, where his mother had held him by. Upon doing some after-reading research. I found that Achilles' origin story wasn't Homeric. Therefore, I couldn't have read anything about his childhood. 

    Something I found quite interesting was Achilles' new outlook on life. In The Embassy to Achilles; Odysseus, Phoenix, and the two heroes Ajax, were sent by King Agamemnon to convince Achilles to rejoin the Greeks in their attempts to thwart the Trojans. No matter how much money or how many cities were included in a dowry, Achilles stood his ground and said no. Achilles is the most fearsome warrior of the Agamemnon army and he even said so himself that in his youth he was always down for a fight. Now, after having his people pull out from battle for a while, he understands what is truly important in his life. Dying a fulfilled life unknown seems more important to him then dying young and famous. I would be interested in possibly doing a retelling of this but bridging the gap between his departure from the Agamemnon army to when the chiefs come to convince his return. I feel that I could illustrate the character development in his beliefs. It would be enjoyable because Achilles' character is the one that I felt more entranced by. 

Original Story: "Homer's Iliad" (retold by A.J. Church)