Download Greek Mythology

4-7th pages 312-469.19
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10:44 AM
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Greek Mythology
Grade Seven
Skill Focus
Levels of Thinking
Remember
Understand
Close Reading
Apply
Analyze
Grammar
Create
Composition
Types
Reading Strategies
Generalization
Inference
Descriptive
Expository
definition
research-based
Narrative
Persuasive (argumentative)
request
Literary Elements
Composition
Evaluate
Character
antagonist/protagonist
Detail
Diction
vocabulary
Imagery
Plot
conflict
Setting
Theme
Tone
Multiple Mode
Expressive
Imaginative
Structural Elements
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Literary Techniques
Allusion
mythological
Argumentation
classification
Literary Forms
Drama
Fiction
Elements of Research (all)
Materials and Resources
• Information about the Trojan War
• Prometheus Bound
• “Phaethon”
• Greek creation story
Lesson Introduction
This unit teaches itself, with the help of some good resources. Students are divided into five
teams of five or six students, and the teams are named for ancient Greek city-states. The teams
compete to complete their twelve tasks successfully and reach the top of Mt. Olympus first,
where they will become immortal and be allowed to drink nectar and eat ambrosia. No team has
ever failed to finish the tasks, and therefore no team has been left out of the big Greek feast
which is the culminating activity for the unit.
The teacher’s job is to provide the resources, assign and explain the tasks, sit back, and look
on in awe at students behaving the way they wish their students would behave every day in
school: motivated, enthusiastic, learning – excited by the bizarre, fascinating information they
are gathering about the beliefs of the ancient Greeks.
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Composition
Original Myth
Rubric
Points
Includes god(s) or hero(es)
14
Expresses beliefs of society: Teaches lesson
14
Explains natural events
12
300 – 600 words
10
Includes dialogue – at least three instances
12
Follows narrative form
24
Setting established
(4)
Clear protagonist
(4)
Clear conflict
(4)
Rising action
(4)
Climax
(4)
Resolution
(4)
Mechanics
14
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Composition
Required Element
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Greek Mythology
Grade Seven
Twelve Steps to the Top of Mt. Olympus
Composition
Level 12: Become a Greek god/goddess/hero/heroine
Choose a god/goddess/hero/heroine from the list provided by your teacher. You will
“become” these personages by dressing up as the character and bringing a prop
(generally, the symbol associated with the god or hero) to represent him or her. On
the day of the feast, you will change into your costume at the beginning of class.
We then hold the feast, during which students will stand and introduce themselves
(their new personas) to the group.
Level 11: Create Greek food
Once you have completed level 10, you can begin to research recipes for Greek
dishes. Recipes may be found in cookbooks (available at public libraries) or on the
Internet. Some good sites are:
• eatgreektonight.com/recipes
• greekconnections.com/recipes
• ellada.com
• greekcuisine.com
You are then responsible for cooking the food at home and bringing it to school on
the day of the big feast.
Level 10: Research, report on mythological source of modern words, sayings
You will be assigned a word or saying from a list of words and sayings derived
from Greek mythology. You will write a one-page essay – consisting of an
introduction, body paragraph, and conclusion – explaining the source in Greek
mythology of the word or saying.
Level 9:
Trojan War activity
You will read an account of the Trojan War and answer analytical questions about
the characters, plot, theme, and tone of the account. Various sources can be used for
this level. Compare several descriptions of an event in the Trojan War and analyze
their tones as created by the author’s use of diction, detail, and imagery.
Level 8:
Prometheus Bound activity
In groups, you and your classmates will perform the play Prometheus Bound. The
leader of the team either serves as or chooses the director of the play, who in turn
chooses the actors for the various roles. Because there are more actors in the play
than members of the teams, actors either play double parts or two teams combine to
produce one play. You and your teammates may create simple props and costumes;
elaborate preparations are discouraged, as time is short – generally, the play must
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Composition
be presented within a week or ten days of receiving the scripts. Students may create
props behind which scripts are attached, as some roles have many lines. Grades are
given based on a rubric.
Level 7:
Business Letter to Zeus
You will pretend to be a mythological character who requests some favor from
Zeus in a business letter, taking a formal, obsequious tone.
Level 6:
Create a myth
You will write and type an original myth, following a rubric.
Level 5:
Create team chart: “Mortals Who Made Big Mistakes”
Each team will create a poster-sized chart that includes the names, mistakes,
and consequences of the actions of seven mortals who defied the gods or broke
universal laws, thereby angering the gods.
Level 4:
“Phaethon”
Each of you will read the myth and individually write a short essay about the
theme of the myth and its applications to life.
Level 3:
Mural or 3D representation of the world as seen by ancient Greeks
Each team will create a 2- or 3-dimensional representation of the ancient Greek
world. Teams receive two grades – one on the attractiveness of the work, as judged
by eighth graders who have previously studied mythology, and one based on a
rubric. A vocabulary/spelling quiz on associated words will be given on the week
during which this activity is completed.
Level 2:
Gods and goddess chart
You will individually complete a partially-filled-in chart on the names, characteristics,
and symbols of the 12 Olympian gods. A vocabulary/spelling quiz over these gods
will be given on the week during which this activity is completed.
Level 1:
Outline of creation story as seen by ancient Greeks
You will develop an outline or story chart showing the ancient Greek creation story.
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Composition
You also must write an 8-sentence paragraph in response to the question “Was
Aeschylus more sympathetic to Zeus or to Prometheus in his play?” This question,
of course, concerns the tone of the play.
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Gods and Goddesses Chart
Name
Characteristics
Symbols
King of the gods; most powerful god
Zeus’s sister; goddess of grain and agriculture
Poseidon
Composition
Zeus’s sister and jealous wife, queen of gods
Peacock
Athena
Sun, laurel wreath, bow & arrow, raven
Apollo’s twin sister; goddess of hunting
Ares
Lame blacksmith; married to Aphrodite
Sea foam; doves and sparrows
Hermes
Hearth and home
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Composition
Myth-Making Planning Sheet
Societal belief or “life lesson”
God or hero
Natural event explained
Composition
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Setting
Time
Place
Protagonist
Conflict
Inciting force
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