Greek Mythology - Teacher Page

Students will study classic Greek mythology.  They will learn the identities of gods and heroes. They will also learn what life was like in ancient Greece. 

Students will gain an understanding of the beliefs, customs and lifestyles of an ancient culture and how that culture continues to influence them in the 21^st century. 

Students will read a variety of Greek myths.  In addition, they will research the lifestyles and culture of ancient Greece.  They will compare the values and beliefs of the ancient Greeks with the values and beliefs of today’s society.

1. What qualities do the gods and heroes in these stories possess?

2. What was life like for people in ancient Greece?

3. What do you admire/dislike about the characters in this myth?

4. What was the lesson learned or the value taught in this myth?

5. What qualities and values are important in our society today?

CAS A:

Construct and extend meaning from text by synthesizing the content and ideas from literary works dealing with a specific issue or subject or written by a single author.

CFS

• Adjust reading rate to the level of text difficulty.

• Distinguish between main ideas and supporting details.

• Recall, paraphrase, and summarize reading material, using a variety of strategies.

• Explain and verify answers to questions about reading material.

• Formulate questions and make predictions.

WRITE TO COMMUNICATE FOR A VARIETY OF PURPOSES.

CAS A.

Produce documents and other written works that adhere to Standard English conventions.

CFS

• Spell words at grade level correctly.

• Use Standard English conventions of grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.

• Use precise nouns, vivid verbs and modifiers, and the active/passive voice appropriately.

Unit Prerequisites

• Students will be able to navigate the Web.

• Students will be able to identify values and qualities important in today’s society.

• Students will be able produce a Word document.

Access:

• Read a variety of classic Greek myths

• Gather information on specific gods and heroes

• Examine the culture of ancient Greece

• Research the religious beliefs of the ancient Greeks

Interpret:

• Analyze a number of Greek myths

• Interpret values of the ancient Greeks

• Decide which myths relate to modern culture

• Compare/contrast values of ancient Greeks with modern value

Produce:

• Write an original myth

• Invent a god or hero of your own

• Draw a picture of your hero, god, etc.

• Develop a moral or lesson to be taught in your myth

Communicate:

• Publish your illustrated myth

• Explain the moral or lesson of your myth

• Relate your modern myth to a myth from ancient Greece

Evaluate:

• Critique myths of your classmates

• Evaluate your own myth

• Rate your favorite myth

Teacher Resources

Resources:

Retold Classic Myths Vol. I , Perfection Learning, Logan, Iowa, Editor, Kathleen Myers

Literature and Language Gr. 9 McDougal, Little, Evanston, Illinois

Student- friendly versions of classic Greek myths
http://www.cultures.com/greek_resources/greek_encyclopedia/greek_encyclopedia_home.html

Source for all activities and information needed for project
http://www.greekmythology.com/

Greek Myths
http://greekmyth.com/

Living Myths
http://www.livingmyths.com/index.htm 

Family Tree
http://www.gods-heros-myth.com/familytree.html

An illustrated encyclopedia of Greek gods and heroes
http://www.mythweb.com/encyc/index.html

A resource on the culture and lifestyles of the ancient Greeks
http://www.museum.upenn.edu/Greek_World/Intro.html