Explanation of Assignment before Webquest This webquest would be used for a 7th grade reading class as an introduction to Greek mythology. It includes background of why we read myths, allows students to explore information about the Greek gods, and activities to explore specific myths. Continue on the following slides to view webquest.

Introduction to Mythology

Five Genres of Literature Fiction—A prose narrative work of the imagination including novels and short stories. Nonfiction—Factual prose writing. Tells about incidents that really happened and people who really lived. (Includes autobiography, biography, and essays.) Poetry—Imaginative writing in which language, images, sound, and rhythm combine to create a special emotional effect. Have a regular rhythm, and some rhyme. Drama (play)—The form of literature that presents a story to be performed for an audience. Myth—An ancient, anonymous story that conveys the beliefs and ideals of a culture and usually involves gods and goddesses.

Four purposes for reading/writing Read for the love of literature Read to be inspired Read for information Write to persuade, inform, or entertain.

Why do I read myths? We read myths to explore the history of a culture. Who was important in the culture? What did they value? Where and when did they live? Why do the events in the story matter?

What is the purpose of a myth? Historically—Helped people understand how natural events and human actions happened. Also helped people control what happened in the world. Currently—Read for entertainment.

How do I read a myth? Reread or read ahead. Identify the cultural context. Make predictions.

Greek Gods Many Greek myths involve gods and goddesses. Go to the website: http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/ Click Gods and Goddesses on the Left Hand Column Next, click Explore on the Bottom Right Hand Corner of the webpage. Assignment: Tell me 1 fact about each of the 12 Olympian Gods (Start with Zeus and move down the column until you reach Dionysis.

Challenge: Greek Gods Let’s test your knowledge of the Greek gods you just took notes on. On the webpage http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/gods/home_set. html click Challenge and play the game that quizzes you on the gods and goddesses. - How did you do on this review?

Pandora’s Box We stated earlier, that many myths explain important events/concepts within ancient Greek culture? Go to the website: http://www.theoi.com/Heroine/Pandora.html When finished reading the myth, answer the question on the following slide.

Pandora’s Box Who are the main characters in this myth? Why do the events in the story matter? What does this myth try to explain within ancient Greek culture?

Demeter and Persephone Finally, go to the website: http://www.mythweb.com/gods/Demeter.ht ml Assignment: Read the myth of Demeter and Persephone. When finished, answer the questions on the following slide.

Demeter and Persephone What is Demeter the goddess of? Who stole Persephone? What event in nature does this myth try to explain? How do you know?

Greek Mythology Mythology is a collection of myths of a particular people. Myth—An ancient anonymous story, usually involving gods and goddesses, that conveys the beliefs and ideals of a culture. From the Greek mythos meaning story. Connected to natural events and human actions. Oral tradition—The handing down of songs, poems, legends, and folk talks from generation to generation by word of mouth. People created myths to: Understand how natural events and human actions happened. Express beliefs about right and wrong.

Characters Gods/Goddesses (deities)—Immortal ruling figures who lived on Mt. Olympus. Demi-Gods—characters with 2 fathers; one being a king and the other is a god. Nymphs—a female spirit typically associated with a particular location or landform. Satyrs—are a troop of male companions of Pan and Dionysus. Creatures—an imaginary animal in a myth. Hero—The central character of a work of literature.

Hero (continued) Epic Hero—a main character in an epic whose legendary or heroic actions are central to his/her culture, race, or nation Examples: Achilles, Perseus, Hercules, Odysseus, and Beowulf. Epic—noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style. Tragic Hero—a literary character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy Examples: Heracles, Medea, Electra, Antigone

Allusion Allusion—A reference in a work of literature to a character, place, or situation from another work of literature. Characters from Greek mythology are the most common alluded to characters in literature. Examples of modern Greek allusions: Boy, she really opened Pandora's box this time!" "That's certainly his Achilles heel, isn't it?"

Bibliography MythWeb- http://www.mythweb.com/gods/Demeter.html Ancient Greece for Kids- http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/ Ancient Greece - The British Museum- http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/gods/home_set.html Ancient Greece - The British Museum- http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/ Mythology Teacher- http://teacherweb.nixa.k12.mo.us/~zakhamby/Why.html