https://create.kahoot.it/share/paradise-lost/6012eadf-49df-4924-8395-70d644fec507
For our Third Project, I decided to do a Kahoot like I did for the last project we had. This time around, I decided to do the Kahoot on another text we focused on in class this semester, Paradise Lost, by John Milton. Just like the last one, there are 20 questions, which are all different. Some questions are about the plot and the characters, while others are about when it was originally published, when it was republished, and different things that came along with that.
Paradise Lost begins by talking about how two of the main characters, Adam and Eve, will turn to disobedience, and how they will fall from their graces. There is temptation everywhere, and it eventually gets the best of them. Satan, along with his group of angels from Hell, are chained to a lake of fire, and quickly figure out a way to free themselves. Shortly after, they debate on starting a war with God. One of Satan’s angels (and also his right hand man), Beezlebub, suggests that the group tries to corrupt humankind. They know how special they are to God, especially because they are his newest creations. The group knows how much it will hurt Him if they succeed in their plan of corrupting humankind. Satan likes this idea, and agrees to do it himself. His children, Sin and Death, meet up with him as he is leaving Hell and heading to Earth. They follow him, and help build a bridge to connect the two places. Meanwhile, God is discussing Satan’s intentions with his group of angels. After hearing of his intentions, Jesus Christ offers to sacrifice himself for humankind. Eventually, Satan tricks Archangel Uriel by disguising himself as a cherub asking to see God’s creation. As we all know, that is when things start rolling, and the epic poem kicks off from that point.
Something I realized I did not focus on too much in the reflection for my last project was why I chose certain questions that I did. I included what year The Faerie Queene was published, and then what year it was republished. I also included those types of questions this time around (mostly at the beginning).
For example, one of the questions I included was: “When it was first published, how many books did Paradise Lost have?” I found it important to include this question because when Paradise Lost was first published, it only had ten books, but when it was published a second time, it had twelve books, and also was revised a bit throughout the original ten. I felt as if it needed to be acknowledged that there are differences and growth of the text at hand.
Another question I included was: “When was the first edition of Paradise Lost published?” I found including this question was especially important because not everyone tends to realize that the text we are reading is a second edition. I think off the bat, people always assume that the book they are reading is the original copy, which it not always is. Like I said about the last question, the differences and growth of a text need to be acknowledged.
Lastly, a true or false question I included was: “Paradise Lost is an epic poem in blank verse.” I found it important to put a question like this in the Kahoot because the rest of the questions had to do with the characters, and the plot as well. Like I always say, what happens on the outside of the text is just as important as what happens on the inside of the text, which is why I included all different kinds of questions like this in this Kahoot and the last one! Paradise Lost being an epic poem in blank verse is a very important aspect of the text to acknowledge.
As always everyone, thank you all for taking the time to read through my reflection, and I hope you all get the chance to play the Kahoot! Play with some classmates or friends, and please enjoy it! Also, since this is our last project, thank you all for taking the time to read my blog posts throughout the semester, and taking the time to comment on them all as well. It is much appreciated!
I hear all of the future English teachers in this class bookmarking this Kahoot as soon as they see this. Seriously, this is so fun! There aren’t enough Kahoot’s in the world, and this could be an awesome way to help a bunch of students learn a text which is by no means the easiest in the world. You questions go beyond summary and trivia, and help to paint a bigger picture of the subtext surrounding this book. All in all, super dope!
I love this idea for a project! First of all two birds one stone if you were ever going to teach Paradise Lost! I really appreciate you explaining why and how you chose the questions you asked. I think at the root of teaching we need to know what we want from our students and why we want them to have the skills or knowledge we are providing them with. You do a solid job at explaining your thoughts and motives. There is always a method to the madness. I am just now reading Matt’s comment and YES I could not agree more that there are not enough good kahoots in the world. My AP English class studied for the exam primarily through kahoot and my classes at UNH were very kahoot orientated which is a bit perplexing the scheme of things. All in all this is great work! I respect that you go beyond plot and story line. You really get the themes and subtext that go into this master piece! Thanks for sharing!