Download Greek Mythology

Greek Mythology
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Introduction
Picture this - a family of Gods, seven men and five
women, who provide protection and social order, as well
as assistance in childbirth and farming. Zeus, the
supreme ruler, can be a free spirit, and Hera, his wife
and sister, can be calm or revengeful. This family is
definitely not the Osbourne’s nor the Sopranos
(although you might think they act like them some
times). In an effort to better understand their world,
the ancient Greeks created stories about these
Olympian gods and goddesses. These stories often
explained everyday occurrences ranging from the
weather, death and the afterlife, to seasons, historical
events, and even natural disasters. For this web quest,
you will discover who these Greek gods and goddesses
are. So put on your hiking boots, and prepare for a
climb… back in time…. Welcome to Mount Olympus,
Ancient Greece!
Tasks
Top Introduction Tasks Process Conclusion Evaluation Term
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In this web quest, you will complete two tasks:
1. You will randomly choose one of the 12 Olympian
gods/goddesses and become an expert on that deity by
immersing yourself in research. Then, you will create a 6-8
minute presentation based on your new knowledge of your
Olympian god/goddess.
2. Closer to the end of the term, you will create a new God
or hero that is connected to the myths we studied, but
would be present in, or worshiped by, our society today.
The Process
Top Introduction Tasks Process Conclusion Evaluation Term
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Task 1: The Presentation
A. Spend some time and read about the Olympian
gods/goddesses. Be sure to explore other web sites as well.
The ones listed below are intended to be used as a starting
point, so feel free to explore any web site your Olympian
takes you to!
http://www.classicsunveiled.com/mythnet/html/olympian.html
http://www.mythweb.com/
http://www.loggia.com/myth/
http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/greek/
http://gogreece.about.com/od/mythology/Greek_Mythology_Greek_G
ods_and_Goddesses.htm
http://www.greek-gods.info/
http://www.theoi.com/
http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1998/2/98.02.06.x.html
B. After you have thoroughly researched your god/goddess,
you will need to determine what information you should
include to add depth and interest to your presentation. The
below questions are meant to serve as a starting point for
you to build upon. Remember, you’re the expert, so be
prepared to address audience questions.
1. Explore the family of your god/goddesses
a. Children (and affairs with them if applicable)
b. Spouses (and affairs if applicable)
c. Siblings (and affairs if applicable)
2. What was their purpose? Why?
3. What did they control? How and why did this come to be?
4. What symbols were associated with them then? Present day
connections?
5. Describe one story where your god/goddess interacts with another
god/goddess.
Describe one story where your god/goddess interacts with a mortal.
6. Describe one story where your god/goddess helps someone.
Describe one story where your god/goddess seeks revenge on
someone.
C. Presentations are effective when the visual aids assist
the presenter. Thus, it’s important to remember that YOU
are the most important part in the presentation. (Of course
it’s important for the visual aids to be easy to follow and
engaging, but don’t use “flashy slides” as a substitute for
your own knowledge.) Please also copy, paste, and print
off a rubric to give to the instructor at the start of your
presentation.
D. Directions for the presentation:
1. The presentation is the culmination of your
research; it’s a way to show that you have truly
learned about your deity, and it’s a way to assist others
in this process as well. Be sure to keep those ideas in
mind as you are preparing.
2. Some various strategies or methods you might
choose to do this include, but are not limited to:


a power point presentation (the most popular
method, but you’ll need to find a friend to run the
slides)
handouts or overhead transparencies that assist
the presentation, perhaps in the form of an outline
(the instructor can make any copies you need and
provide transparency paper too)
3. Remember to rehearse your presentation so that you
are more comfortable with it and to double check the
timing too (6-8 minutes). Typically, we will talk
faster when actually presenting, so focus on creating a
smooth pace. We also have a tendency to believe that
our presentations will be longer than they actually are,
so this can also be addressed with a couple of
rehearsals. Your presentation will be stopped once
you hit the 8 minute mark so that we have enough time
to fit everyone in. To avoid this, rehearse ahead of
time!
4. Remember that your goal is to provide the audience
with a good overview of your God/Goddess that
supplements and enhances the information provided in
the course textbook. You are the expert on your
Olympian!
5. Finally, don’t forget to allow for questions at the
end of your presentation  (this is in addition to the
6-8 minutes though)
Conclusion
Top Introduction Tasks Process Conclusion Evaluation Term Project
Credits
In this web quest, you learned about the 12 Olympian
gods and goddesses who lived on Mount Olympus.
However, Greek mythology involves many other tales,
some of which we will be reading about as the term
progresses. Using the following links, you can read about
other gods and goddesses, heroes' dangerous feats, flying
horses, one eyed monsters (Cyclops), and much, much
more!
For information about strange and wondrous creatures:
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/bdodge/scaffold/GG/creature.html
For information about heroes and their amazing adventures:
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/bdodge/scaffold/GG/hero.html#Heros
For information about other gods and goddesses:
http://www.desy.de/gna/interpedia/greek_myth/lessorgod.html
Evaluation
Top Introduction Tasks Process Conclusion Evaluation Term
Project Credits
Task 1-Presentation
CATEGORY
10
9
8
7- 0
Content
10 pts
Presenter shows
Presenter shows good Presenter appears to
Presenter does not
excellent
understanding of the somewhat understand appear to understand
understanding of the
deity and normally
the deity, but covers the deity, and perhaps
deity and constantly explores that deity in a him/her in a somewhat only used the book as
explores that deity in a
thoughtful way.
superficial way.
a way to gather
thorough way.
information.
Knowledge
10 pts
Presenter can clearly Presenter can clearly
explain several ways in explain a couple ways
which their god "saw"
in which their god
things differently and "saw" things differently
how their god was
than other gods, and
unique and worshiped
some information
at the time.
about how the god was
unique and worshiped
is included.
Originality
10 pts
Presentation clearly is Presenter puts effort
Presenter attempts to Presenter is as original
original and is
into being original, and
be original, but still
as the pre-recorded
extremely engaging for
the presentation is
needs some work at
message on an
the audience from start
engaging for the
being engaging, for the answering machine
to finish.
audience most of the audience is starting to
and the audience is
time.
nod off.
wishing they were
taking an exam rather
than hearing this
presentation.
Timing
10 pts
Individual
Presentation
10 pts
The presentation is
between 6-8 minutes
in length.
The presentation is
between 5-6 minutes
in length.
Presenter can
somewhat explain their
god, but the distinction
between the god and
other gods is a little
fuzzy, little information
is included about how
the god was unique or
worshiped.
The presentation is
between 5-4 minutes
in length.
Presenter speaks
Presenter speaks
Presenter is hard to
clearly, and maintains
pretty clearly, and
understand from time
eye contact a majority maintains eye contact to time and maintains
of the time for the
most of the time for the minimal eye contact for
visual aides are a tool
visual aids serve as
the visual aids are
by which the speaker tools most of the time.
more of a crutch for
conveys the
the presenter.
information.
Presenter does not
appear to understand
their god for there is no
clear distinction
between their god and
others; no information
about how the god was
worshiped is included.
The presentation is
under 4 minutes in
length.
Presenter is difficult to
understand a majority
of the time and makes
little to no eye contact,
for the information
contained within the
visual aids could
simply be read by the
audience.
Please note the material for these rubrics is from RubiStar-http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php
Term Project (Task 2)
Top Introduction Tasks Process Conclusion Evaluation Term Project
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Assignment:
Develop a new God/Goddess or a Hero that represents
some aspect of our society today, would be present today,
yet also has connections to the myths we’ve studied
throughout the term. In your paper, address the following
questions about your god, goddess, or hero.









How is this god, goddess or hero you created helpful or harmful to
society?
What are some characteristics of this deity or hero?
What are the intentions of this deity or hero?
Describe the personality of this deity or hero.
Explain the strengths of this deity or hero.
Explain the weaknesses of this deity or hero.
What do you want this deity or hero to symbolize?
What type of job would this deity or hero have in today’s society?
Why should this deity reign with the other Gods on Mt. Olympus?
Step 1:
Create an initial draft of everything about this god or
goddess. Please consider including a representation of what
this deity might look like. If you need to review traits of the
original gods and goddesses, visit the links listed below.
Then compare your draft with the questions listed above to
make sure it has all the necessary components.
http://www.classicsunveiled.com/mythnet/html/olympian.html
http://www.mythweb.com/
http://messagenet.com/myths/immortals.html
http://www.loggia.com/myth/
http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/greek/
http://gogreece.about.com/od/mythology/Greek_Mythology_Greek_G
ods_and_Goddesses.htm
http://www.greek-gods.info/
http://www.theoi.com/
Step 2:
Make any revisions / additions, and create a final draft
about your god or goddess and be sure to include an
explanation about why this new deity should reign with the
other gods and goddesses on Mount Olympus. (It would be
a good idea to also include a visual representation of your
newly formed deity/hero.)
Step 3:
Copy, paste, and print off the below rubric to hand in with
your final project.
Please Note: The final paper should be at least 4 pages
typed in 12 font, TNR and be double spaced. Only the final
draft will need to be handed in—hopefully with a picture as
well. 
Task 2-Term Project
CATEGORY
10
9
8
7- 0
Set up / Closure
The introduction is
inviting, states the
main topic and
previews the
structure of the
paper, the
conclusion puts a
strong sense of
closure on the
paper.
The introduction
states the main topic
and previews the
structure of the
paper, but is not
particularly inviting,
the conclusion puts a
sense of closure on
the paper.
The introduction
somewhat sets up
the topic, but might
be underdeveloped,
uninviting or does
not adequately
preview the structure
of the paper, the
conclusion might be
forced or short.
There is no clear
introduction of the
topic for it seems to
jump right into the
body, the conclusion
is nonexistent or
leaves the reader
with a need to read
more.
Details are placed in
a logical order and
the way they are
presented effectively
keeps the interest of
the reader.
Details are placed in
a logical order, but
the way in which
they are
presented/introduced
sometimes makes
the writing less
interesting.
Some details are not
in a logical or
expected order, and
this distracts from
the focus of the
paper.
Many details are not
in a logical or
expected order.
There is little sense
that the writing is
organized.
A variety of
thoughtful transitions
are used. They are
varied and always
clearly show how
ideas are
connected.
A variety of
transitions are used.
They are mostly
varied and normally
show how ideas are
connected.
Some variety of
transitions is
present, but
connections
between ideas are
choppy from time to
time.
Transitions? What
are those? The
ideas are not
connected or are
connected
incorrectly so that
the paper is more
choppy than
smooth.
Thoroughly and
insightfully explores
the personality,
strengths,
weaknesses, and
symbols with this
hero / God.
Explores the
personality,
strengths,
weaknesses and
symbols with this
hero / God.
Somewhat explores
the personality,
strengths,
weaknesses and
symbols with this
hero / God, but few
ideas are insightful.
Barely explores this
hero / God so that
the explanation is
superficial.
Supporting details
and information are
relevant, but several
issues or portions of
the paper are
unsupported or
Supporting details
and information are
not relevant or not
well thought out.
10 pts
Sequencing
(Organization)
10 pts
Fluency
10 pts
Originality of
Ideas
10 pts
Support for Topic Relevant, telling,
quality details give
(Ideas)
10 pts
Supporting details
and information are
the reader important relevant, but one
information that
issue or portion of
goes beyond the
the paper is
obvious or
unsupported or
Justification for
the Creation of
this new God /
Hero
10 pts
predictable.
undeveloped.
undeveloped.
Provides an
insightful
explanation and
connection to the
myths we have
studied.
Provides an
explanation and
connection to the
myths we have
studied.
Explanation is brief,
or superficial; few
connections are
made to the myths
we have studied.
No explanation is
included; no
connections to the
myths we have
studied were made.
Credits
Top Introduction Tasks Process Conclusion Evaluation Term Project
Credits
Adapted From: http://webhost.bridgew.edu/lbriddon/GreekWeb/webquest.htm
http://eprentice.sdsu.edu/J03CR/cbondoc/greeks/greekmyth.html
http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dlsis/tel/stand10.html