Mythology 2012-2013 Language Arts

Define Mythology Think-Pair-Share On a piece of gift bag paper, answer the following: What do you know about mythology? Where have you seen or heard mythology? What would you like to know? Share with your Elbow partner. Share out with the group. Our definition of mythology is…

Interview with Rick Riordan While you listen to the podcast, listen for http://www.metmuseum.org/metmedia/audio/kids/0 68-episode-for-families-percy-jackson--the- olympians-the-lightning-thief-at-the-met

What is a myth? A fictitious story or half truth

What makes a myth? How the myth was created Evolve over time, passed down orally Often more than one version of a story Involves a higher power or entity Gods, goddesses and other supernatural beings are worshipped. Myth is considered true and sacred within the culture

What makes a myth? Explains the unknown Part of a larger mythology Like how the universe was created Meaning of life Part of a larger mythology Tied together by common things Gods and goddesses, historical events

Ancient Greece: A Brief History Typically considered the time between 800 BC to 600 AD (about 1,300 years) City-states Saw the rise of democracy Great thinkers: Plato, Socrates, Aristotle Discovered geometry, applied mathematics

Greek geography

Who’s who in Greek Mythology (and their Roman Names) Cronos (Saturn)-father of the gods Zeus, Hades and Poseidon and goddesses Hera, Hestia and Demeter Rhea (Cybele)- Wife of Cronos and mother of the gods and goddesses Zeus (Jupiter/ Jove)- King of the gods Poseidon (Neptune)- God of the Sea Hades (Pluto)- God of the Underworld

Who’s who in Greek Mythology (and their Roman Names) Demeter (Ceres)- Goddess of Grain and Fertility Hestia (Vesta)- Goddess of Home and Family Hera (Juno)- Goddess of Women and Marriage Persephone (Proserpine)- Goddess of the Underworld Ares (Mars)- God of War

Who’s who in Greek Mythology (and their Roman Names) Dionysus (Bacchus)- God of Wine and good times Hermes (Mercury)- messenger of the Gods Hephaestus (Vulcan)- God of fire and technology Athena (Minerva)- Goddess of Heroic Endeavour Artemis (Diana)- Goddess of Forests, Hills and Fertility Aphrodite (Venus)- Goddess of Love Apollo- God of Light, the Sun, Truth and Prophecy

Vocab Oracle- someone considered very wise or who is able to predict the future Prophecy- a prediction Sacrifice- an animal or person killed in honor of a god Strife- conflict

Now for the fun stuff…

Heroes On a sheet of paper, discuss with your tent partner: What is a hero? What are characteristics of a hero? What are some examples of a hero?

Comparing Contemporary and Greek Heroes Characteristic Contemporary (Modern) Hero Contemporary Behavior Greek Hero Greek Behavior

Think You're trapped in a room with your greatest enemy, who has the only key and superior strength. How would you get out? Read the story of Odysseus. Think about: What personal traits allowed Odysseus to escape? What personal traits got him into (or might get him into) trouble?

Brainstorm a list of chores you would really hate to do (even worse than the chores you already do). http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/labors.html How would you like to do Hercules’ chores? What personal traits allowed Hercules to succeed? What personal traits got him into trouble?

Another take Read the story of Atalanta In what ways is she like and unlike a male Greek hero? Fill in your Hero Chart

Oh Behave! Turn and Talk What echoes have you heard. Where was the best echo they have ever heard? What causes echoes? Popcorn read the story of Echo

Echo In what way was having to echo a fitting punishment for Echo? How does this tale explain what causes echoes? How did the story dramatize poor behavior?

Narcissism – www.dictionary.com Turn and Talk If someone is termed a "narcissist", what would that mean? Name a fictional character from any medium who could be called a narcissist? Is that a trait we admire in people?

Narcissus Partner read the story of Narcissus Was Narcissus's fate a fitting end for him? How did the story dramatize his arrogance and the consequences of this behavior? http://www.wga.hu/frames- e.html?/html/c/caravagg/03/21narcis.html

Icarus http://youtu.be/7W1TZ16W-3k Was Icarus's fate a fitting end for him? How did the story dramatize his inappropriate choices?

Conclusion What are some character traits the Greeks admired? What traits did they not admire?

How it Came to Be

How it Came to Be Greek myths often attempted to explain mysterious elements of the natural world. How did the Echo story explain what causes an echo?

Spiders have adapted to catch prey through the creation of webs. http://youtu.be/qW3Bbav7w4A How does the story of Arachne explain the origin of spiders?

The Consellation Myths Visit the website below and read at least 3 myths about how the constellations got their names. http://www.dibonsmith.com/constel.htm

It Came From a Myth Mythological terms are common in contemporary society. For example, an odyssey is a voyage, as well as a minivan! As you learn more about the characters of Greek mythology, you may be surprised to discover many familiar words derived from myths.

It Came from a Myth Working in pairs, you will use online and print resources to find as many connections between contemporary society and Greek mythology. Resources to use: Print dictionaries, encyclopedias Magazines Online resources (these sites ONLY) www.encyclopedia.com www.factmonster.com