Part I: Behind the Scenes 1.

Conceptual Overview: This lesson will allow students to investigate the purpose of Greek mythology. Students will discover the importance of myth and oral storytelling in Ancient Greece while exploring the different personalities and attributes of many of the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece. Students will be able to recognize Greek god and goddesses and how myth has blended into todays popular culture. Student learning will be accomplished through oral storytelling, a Mount Olympus speed dating activity, and a comprehension exercise. 2. Standards Addressed: a. NCSS Thematic Strand: 2, 4, 5 b. NHS: Era 3, Standard 2 3. Materials Required: Flashlight/Lantern, Blankets, Wind/Water Sounds, Nametags, Timer, Colored Paper (Table Labels), God/Goddess Flashcards, Tape, PowerPoint Presentation 4. Modifications for Diverse Learning Needs: Class A This class is from a medium-sized suburb with a wide range of income-levels. The class is rather crowded with approximately 30 students. There are also many students with IEPS, which will be addressed if necessary. For my five students with mild learning disabilities, I will monitor learning progress to make sure they are comprehending the material and that they remain on task throughout the class period. I will speak with my autistic student before class to make sure that he is comfortable with todays activities (especially with the turning off of the lights) so that he can participate within the classroom. However, if he expresses concern I will allow him to leave the room for the portion of the class that he is uncomfortable with and we will adjust as needed. I also have two students in wheelchairs. The class will adjust so that these two students will not have to relocate during the speed-dating activity. Part II: Heart of the Lesson 1. 2. 3. 4. Title of Lesson: Greek Mythology Subject Area: World History Grade Level: 10 Objectives: Students will gain insight of the many gods and goddesses of ancient Greece. By the end of this lesson, students will be able to grasp the identities of each of these deities while understanding their place in Greek mythology through oral storytelling and the Mt. Olympus Speed Dating Activity. They will show their understanding through a comprehension check and through a homework assignment. 5. Body of Lesson a. Introductory Activity: Oral Storytelling (10 Minutes) Students will experience the Greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus through an oral storytelling presentation. There will be blankets upon the floor to sit on and

b.

c.

d.

e.

flashlights around the room to create a unique and authentic atmosphere for the oral telling of the myth. Students will then be given a brief explanation of the power of oral storytelling in Ancient Greece. Students will then transition into learning about the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology. Procedure: Mount Olympus Speed Dating (30 Minutes) i. Students will be given the identity of a Greek god or goddess along with a name tag to signify their identity. Students will then be given approximately 5 minutes to read about their identity in order to prepare for the speed dating activity. ii. Students will then participate in the Speed Dating Activity. Students will be placed within pairs and will stay within those pairs for the allotted time. There will be 10 rounds, each consisting of 2 minutes. Students will be responsible for asking each other questions and taking notes on the activity worksheet. iii. Each student will be placed with new student during each speed dating round. If time does not permit, then not all students will have time to interact with everyone else, but students should not repeat an interaction with someone they had already met. For a larger sized class, there may be multiple groups that will rotate (each group will be as identical as possible). iv. There will be cards with sample speed dating questions available on the table if students have trouble starting the conversation. v. After the rounds are complete, there will be approximately five minutes transitional time for students to return to seats and to discuss the activity as a whole class discussion. Assessment Plan: Students will receive up to 10 participation points for activities in class and completion of the activity worksheet. Students will also be given a homework assignment, which will be worth an additional 20 points. Concluding Activity: Comprehension Trivia Activity (10 Minutes) Students will complete a quick comprehension activity in which they will be asked to name the Greek god/goddess that fits the description. Students will also be given a brief explanation of the homework assignment. Homework: Students will be asked to complete an assignment based upon their Greek god/goddesses identity. The premise of this assignment would require students will create a bio-poem for their Greek identity. Both are due the following class period.

Part III: Supporting Material 1. Daedalus and Icarus Myth 2. Daedalus and Icarus Image

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Mount Olympus Speed Dating Activity Instructions Individual Greek God/Goddess Identity Examples Image of Mount Olympus Mount Olympus Speed Dating Worksheet Sample Speed Dating Questions Comprehension Questions Bio-Poem Homework Assignment

Daedalus and Icarus

Beating his wings harder and harder, Icarus soared up into the sky and out over the Aegean Sea. It was hard to believe it but the plan had worked. For here he was now, flying alongside his father, Daedalus, as they left the island of Crete behind them, escaping King Minos. They travelled on towards their freedom. Icarus glanced over at his father and grinned. "Come along, Father," he shouted over the sound of the wind rushing past them. "Smile, weve done it, weve escaped and were free." When my feet are back on solid ground and that island is many, many miles behind us, then you will see me smile, Daedalus yelled back. Now, keep your mind on what we have to do and remember, not too high, not too close to the sun. These wings will take us away from this place and to freedom, he told his son. However, there is one thing you must not forget. These wings are held together by wax. If it gets too hot, it will melt and the wings will fall apart. So do not fly too close to the sun. Stay low and we will be safe. So here they were now, gliding across the brilliant blue sky, the sun shining above them and the Aegean sea glinting beautifully far below them. Daedalus glanced back nervously over his shoulder again, to see the island of Crete getting smaller and smaller as they flew away from their prison. But Icarus could not contain his excitement a moment longer. Were free, he yelled to the empty sky around him. Free and were flying, were flying with the birds. With a whoop of excitement, he soared up and up, gliding around the sky, zooming back down towards his father and then up again, up, up, up towards the dazzling sun. Icarus, not too high, not too close to the sun, his father screamed in desperation. The wax on your wings will melt. Stay close to me and stay low. But his words fell on deaf ears. The boy continued to soar up into the bright blue sky, edging nearer and nearer to the sun and, as Daedalus flew along below him, he saw a bright white feather flutter through the sky and, looking up, watched in horror as more and more feathers detached themselves from his sons wings. He watched in despair as his son began to lose height and his despair turned to total anguish as he heard the terrified cry from his son, as he tumbled and spun past him towards the sea below. It took only seconds, but it seemed like a lifetime, as Daedalus saw his son plummet through the sky with increasing speed to hit the waters below with a resounding splash.

Daedalus flew low in the hope of seeing the boy appear on the surface of the churning waters but he knew that nobody could have survived such a fall and that all hope was lost. With a heavy heart, and almost exhausted, Daedalus regained the height he needed and, without looking back, set his course for the island of Sicily. There he hoped that he would be welcomed and be allowed to live a trouble-free life for the rest of his days. But however long he lived, he would never be able to forget the sound of his sons final cry as he sped towards the water. It was only the briefest of sounds but he heard it clearly, even above the sound of the foaming waves and crying gulls Father, help me.
http://myths.e2bn.org/mythsandlegends/textonly1598-daedalus-and-icarus.html

Image of Daedalus and Icarus

Mount Olympus Speed Dating Activity Instructions: You will be given the identity of a Greek god or goddesses. Place your name tag on your shirt. Take 5 minutes to read the information on your identity. Try to absorb as much information as possible in order to become your god or goddess. Keep this information on you during the activity to refer to if needed. You will be placed in groups of two around the room. You will have 2 minutes to ask each other questions or tell each other about your identity. Bring your worksheet with you to fill out as you learn about the person across from you. When the timer goes off, you will switch partners. With each partner, make sure you are recording the information you learned about each other on your Activity Worksheet.

Identity Examples (http://www.mythologyteacher.com/Gallery-of-the-Gods.php): Zeus: LORD OF THE SKY, RAINBRINGER, CLOUD-GATHERER After leading his brother and sister gods in a revolt against their parents, the Titans, Zeus became the unquestioned ruler of the Heavens. His feared weapon is the Thunderbolt, and his palace on Mount Olympus is a place of peace, where all gods are welcome. Zeus is the husband of the goddess HERA, but it's not in his nature to be faithful. Time and time again, he enters into disastrous affairs with other goddesses, nymphs, and mortal women. Zeus is the allfather. Almost all the second generation of gods claim Zeus as their father. Many of the mortal heroes are children of the god as well. Zeus' bird is the eagle.
Persephone: GODDESS OF SPRINGTIME

Poseidon: BLUE-MANED GOD OF THE SEAS AND OCEANS Next to his brother ZEUS, Poseidon is the god the Greeks most feared. As a sea-faring people, they knew the hazards of a stormy sea. The god was known for his mood swings, violent rage one minute, calm the next--just like the waters he controlled. In the Trojan War he favored the Greeks because of their love of ship-building, yet legend had it that generations before, he and APOLLO had helped build the walls of Ilium (Troy). When an earthquake, the Greeks recognized it as the work of Poseidon Earth-shaker. Poseidon was married to the Daughter of Ocean and commanded the waves with his mighty trident. Hera: GODDESS OF MARRIAGE, QUEEN OF OLYMPUS Hera is usually shown as a crafty schemer and jealous wife. She is the mother of a few of the second generation gods: ARES, HEPHAESTUS, and HEBE. ZEUS and his frequent affairs are enough to keep her busy, punishing his many lovers and cursing his illegitimate children. Even though she cannot protect her own marriage, Hera is labeled as the protector of the institution. Wives with unfaithful husbands could definitely sympathize with her. Hera has a fiery temper and enough venom for her anger to last centuries. Her animal is the cow, and her bird is the peacock. The Romans named June, the season for marriage, after Hera (Juno).

Persephone was the daughter of ZEUS and his sister DEMETER, the Goddess of the Harvest. One day while Persephone was gathering flowers, HADES spied her in the meadow. Not wasting a second, he drove his team of coal-black steeds up through the earth and pulled her into his chariot. Back in the Underworld, Hades forced her to be his queen.

Aphrodite: GODDESS OF LOVE AND BEAUTY Aphrodite was so lovely that the Greeks couldn't imagine her being born in the usual way. Instead she sprang from the white beauty of the sea foam. In an odd arrangement, this most beautiful goddess was married to the only ugly Olympian, HEPHAESTUS, the deformed forge god. Some said that ZEUS forced her into the marriage; others, that she chose him herself. Either way, her vows did not stop her from having many affairs. Gods and mortal men found her charms simply irresistible. Whenever on business abroad, Aphrodite was pulled through the sky by a swan-drawn cart. The swan and the dove were both symbols of her grace. In Greece her worship was popular, although the temple priestesses were rumored to be prostitutes. Our word aphrodisiac, a passion-inducing substance, is derived from her name. Artemis: VIRGIN GODDESS OF THE HUNT, PROTECTOR OF MAIDENS AND WILD CREATURES

Apollo: GOD OF LIGHT, TRUTH, POETRY, PROPHECY, & MUSIC From all the important titles laid at Apollo's feet, you can see the Greeks thought very highly of him. He is called the "most Greek of all the gods". He, above all others, represented the ideal man: handsome, athletic, intelligent, talented, and good. His twin sister is ARTEMIS, Goddess of the Moon. Over time, Apollo came to replace the Greek god Helios as God of the Sun as well. The lyre is Apollo's instrument, as he is the master musician. Apollo's tree is the laurel. A wreath of laurels was awarded in Greece to those who won a contest of poetry. Apollo's oracle in Delphi was the most reliable and the most popular.

Athena: GODDESS OF WISDOM AND BATTLE According to one tale, Athena was not actually born, but sprang fully-grown from Artemis is often called upon by maidens who ZEUS' head. This is symbolic of her want nothing to do with men. Her silver distinction as Goddess of Wisdom. Athena's arrows have slain many over-zealous suitors. animal was the wisest of birds, the owl. As Artemis was also the twin sister of APOLLO the leader of the Virgin Goddesses, those who and revered as the Goddess of the Moon. At will never marry, Athena refuses to let any times her different duties contradict one other. man to be her master. When a new city-state Even though she is a hunter of animals was founded, there was a contest between herself, she often demands that mortals pay Athena and her uncle POSEIDON over who for killing defenseless beasts. In the most should be its patron god. The competition was famous case, she demands that a Greek army fierce. To win the people over to his side, offer her a human sacrifice in apology for Poseidon formed the first horse from the crest trampling a family of rabbits. She asks for the of a wave. In order to one-up his gift, Athena life of the general's young daughter, a maiden. created the bridle, a tool man could use to This is strange behavior for the protector of subdue Poseidon's creation. Since her gift was maidens. the wiser, the city chose Athena as their patron goddess. From this point on the citystate was called Athens.

Demeter: GODDESS OF AGRICULTURE The Greeks and Romans felt an extremely strong connection with Demeter. The goddess was responsible for providing them with their sustenance and livelihood. In addition to this, Demeter was one of the few gods who did not reside on Olympus. She lived on earth, where she could be close to those who needed her most. Also unlike the other gods, Demeter's existence was bittersweet. In the fall and winter, she mourned her daughter, PERSEPHONE. Only during the spring and summer was she truly happy. All of these qualities endeared her to her worshipers. Her sacred cult at Eleusis was one of the most popular, and the secrets kept so well that to this day researchers have no clue what their rites consisted of. From Ceres comes our word for grain-based food, cereal.

Dionysus: GOD OF THE VINE AND WINE, PATRON GOD OF THE THEATRE
Dionysus was a latecomer to Mount Olympus. He was the only god to have a mortal parent. Dionysus was a two-sided god. On one side, he is the gentle planter of the vine. On the other, he is a wild drinker, inspiring his followers to commit terrible acts through their intoxication. Satyrs, half-men half-goat creatures, were said to be the companions of Dionysus, along with his fanatical female followers the maenads. Followers of Dionysus gathered in the wilderness and drank themselves into a wild frenzy. More often than not their gatherings ended with violence. In many stories, kings, who do not approve of the new god or the behavior he promotes, forbids his worship. This probably reflects Greek society's displeasure with the worshipers of Dionysus, whom many viewed as hedonistic drunks. Despite his late addition by the gods and his initial opposition from men, Dionysus became one of the most popular additions to the Greek pantheon. Athens dedicated its springtime drama festival to the god, solidifying his place as patron of the theatre.

Hades: RULER OF THE DEAD, LORD OF THE UNDERWORLD

Although he has been presented as one before, Hades is no villain. He is cold and calculating. He keeps to himself, only showing up in myth when he is sought out. Hades is more a recluse than anything else. He has little to do with mortals' lives. Their deaths are a different story. Hades is not Death himself; in other words he is not responsible for deciding when mortals die. A mortal's death is an assembly line: The Fates snip the threads of life, Thanatos (or death) causes the mortal to die, HERMES leads the soul to the banks of the Styx. After the gods defeated their forebearers, the Titans, Hades was presented with a helmet of invisibility and given the Underworld to rule. Hades' Roman name Pluto came from the Greek word for wealth. The god was considered rich because of all the precious metals that are found beneath the earth.

Hermes: MESSENGER OF THE GODS

Hermes, the most mischievous and clever of the gods, also served as a psychopomp, a guide of dead souls to the Underworld. One of the youngest gods, Hermes showed his ability to cause both trouble and delight at an early age. On the day of his birth, Hermes snuck out from his cradle and whisked away the cattle of his elder brother APOLLO. A witness soon reported this to Apollo, who came to Maia, Hermes's mother, demanding the return of his livestock. Maia insisted that Hermes had been in his cradle the entire time. Hermes was quickly found out and forced to return the cattle. But in reparation for his actions against Apollo, the newborn god created a lyre from the shell of a turtle. He presented the stringed instrument to his older brother. His anger melted away, Apollo presented Hermes with a magical sleepinducing staff called the Caduceus. Once ZEUS realized his young son would cause nothing but trouble if his mind weren't constantly occupied, he gave him with the job of Olympian Messenger. He was given a winged cap and sandals to assist him in his duties. Due to the nature of his job, Hermes appears most often of all the gods.

Image of Mount Olympus

Mount Olympus is both an actual mountain in Greece and the mythical home of the Greek gods. In Zeus' palace on its peak resided the Twelve Olympians, which consisted of the major gods and goddesses. (http://www.mythologyteacher.com/Gallery-of-the-Gods.php

Speed Dating Worksheet Instructions: Please record three interesting facts youve learned about each god or goddesses youve met during your Speed Dating Activity today. Hint: You may want to include personality traits, what that god/goddess rules over, how powerful they are, relatives or connections to other gods, possible hobbies, positive qualities, negative qualities, etc. For example, you could ask Zeus if he would be faithful in a relationship or Artemis if she is brave. There are many possibilities! Record the information that you think is most important or most relevant to understanding each Greek god or goddess.

Zeus:

1. 2. 3.

Hera:

1. 2. 3.

Artemis:

1. 2. 3.

Demeter:

1. 2. 3.

Aphrodite:

1. 2. 3.

Dionysus:

1. 2. 3.

Athena:

1. 2. 3.

Hermes:

1. 2. 3.

Apollo:

1. 2. 3.

Hades:

1. 2. 3.

Sample Speed Dating Questions (To be placed at each individual table on Index Cards): Are you looking for a relationship? Are you married? What do you value in a marriage/relationship?

Tell me one thing about yourself that you would like me to know. What do you do for fun? What are you most proud of?

What is your greatest strength? What is a flaw you have?

Describe your family. Do you have children? Do you value family above all else?

What do you rule over or What are you the god/goddess of? If someone were to describe you, what adjective would they use?

Comprehension Sample Questions: Which god/goddess was the ruler of the gods? (Zeus) Who was responsible for providing agriculture, sustenance and livelihood of the Greek people? (Demeter) Who was the goddess known mostly for her beauty? (Aphrodite) Which god would you most likely find intoxicated at a party? (Dionysus) Which god was known as cold and cunning and is commonly associated with the Fates? (Hades) Which god/goddess would you most want to take hunting with you (ironically this god/goddess also values animal life)? (Artemis) Which god is known as the patron of the theatre? (Dionysus) Which goddess was married to Zeus? (Hera) Which god was described as handsome and athletic? (Apollo) Who was the messenger of the gods? (Hermes) Which goddess was both wise and brave? (Athena) Which goddess was known as the jealous wife? (Hera)

Higher Order Thinking Questions: Why do you think each Greek god or goddesses had different personalities and difference qualities? How do you think mythology influenced society? What did Greek mythology say about their cultural identity? What was the importance of mythology and oral storytelling? Do we have similar ways of expressing ideas today? How are we similar? How are we different?

Bio-Poem Assignment (20 Points) Due: Tomorrow Instructions: After becoming acquainted with the Greek gods and goddesses, choose one to write a Bio-Poem about. I highly recommend that you choose the god/goddess you know the most about (the identity you were given). Follow the following format: 1) Greek Name. 2) Four Traits of Character. 3) Relative of ____ (1-3 people). 4) Lover of _____ (1-3 things or people). 5) Who feels _____ . 6) Who needs ____ . 7) Who fears ____. 8) Who would like to see ____ (1-3 things). 9) Resident of ______. 10) Greek Name Example: Persephone Goddess of Springtime Daughter of Zeus and Demeter Lover flowers in bloom, meadows in Spring Who protects the Spring Who needs protection Who fears Hades Resident and Prisoner of the Underworld Persephone