How to Teach Greek Mythology in Middle Schools
Greek mythology is an important history to recognize because ancient Greek society relates similarly to modern Western civilizations. The Greeks had legends and heroes to entertain them, as we have popular heroes from books, movies, and television that often relate to themes in Greek myths like Homer's Iliad or Odyssey. Teaching Greek mythology to middle schoolers requires clear lesson plans as well as a development lecture on mythology so that students know how to recognize and define certain myths.
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Things You'll Need
- Ancient Greek history books
- Videos
- Worksheets
- Laminated cards
- Artwork
- Photos of mythology
Instructions
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Beginning Unit
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Open the unit by reading about ancient Greece and explaining mythology. Students learn about what mythology means, why the Greeks wrote myths, the background to Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and the tales of Aesop's Fables. How these stories related to Greek society as they wrote these myths is an important link to make to students.
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Present short stories and videos introducing popular Greek myths. A popular story is of the Earth's creation. Check with your school's video library for particular videos. There is a series titled "Greek Mythology for Students," which shows the legends of Grecian heroes and history of the writers.
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Ask questions to your students during the reading and video such as, what are the moral lessons in each myth, or what heroes remind us of people in our lives today? Gauge their interest in the subject by offering your own ideas, and be candid with your responses to their questions.
Developing Lesson Plans
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Separate students into groups to work together. Ask them to create and present different parts of the Greek creation myth timeline. While students present, grade them on their knowledge, comprehension and clarity.
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Assign each student a Greek mythological character to perform in an oral presentation, or allow students to choose from a list. Students create their characters based on Zeus, Medusa, Calypso, Odysseus, or Icarus. There are many possibilities. Students develop the character, write a paper on the subject, and then present their history to the class. In return, students interview the "Famous Greek" as part of their grade.
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Start off a class period with a PowerPoint presentation. In the opening of the PowerPoint, show students pictures of today's mythology, such as Harry Potter, Spider-Man, Batman, and other popular heroes. Compare these to the heroes of ancient Greek mythology. Share photos of ancient buildings in Greece, such as the Pantheon, that have mythology built into their structure. Tie the two together with how buildings today represent today's popular myths, such as theme parks like Universal and Disney that use Spider-Man or Hercules as heroic icons for their attractions.
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Create 24 to 36 (depending on class size) laminated color-coded index cards with half of the cards showing names of Greek gods and myths and the other half representing definitions. The colors match, so students must find their other half. Then together, the pair of students research and present a more in-depth look at their god or myth.
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Tips & Warnings
Be careful of what myths you choose as they do relate to explicit themes of sexuality.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit greek god image by Roberto of Tanglewood from Fotolia.com
