Step 4: Exploring Classic Greek Mythology
What exactly is a myth?
Click here to read a short article titled "The Truth About Ancient Greek Myths" then discuss and answer the following questions with your team:
Exploring Ancient Greece Mythology:
Now it's your turn to read and explore some of the most famous myths from Ancient Greece. Remember, you will be creating a new "What If" myth later, so pay close attention to how the myths were written, how the gods interacted with each other and with humans, and how the conflicts were solved (or not solved!).
Pick at least 3 myths from the list below to read with your partner, then answer the questions below about EACH myth.
Discussion Questions:
Answer these questions for EACH of the three myths you read.
IMPORTANT: The Google Doc Scribe will record your team's responses to the question below in a new Google Doc. Title this new Google Doc "Exploring Greek Mythology Responses".
Click here to read a short article titled "The Truth About Ancient Greek Myths" then discuss and answer the following questions with your team:
- What is a myth?
- Did the Ancient Greeks believe their gods were real?
- How did the Ancient Greeks honor their gods?
- How did the gods interfere with human life?
- Why do you think the Ancient Greeks told myths about the gods?
Exploring Ancient Greece Mythology:
Now it's your turn to read and explore some of the most famous myths from Ancient Greece. Remember, you will be creating a new "What If" myth later, so pay close attention to how the myths were written, how the gods interacted with each other and with humans, and how the conflicts were solved (or not solved!).
Pick at least 3 myths from the list below to read with your partner, then answer the questions below about EACH myth.
- The Gift of Fire
- Pandora's Box
- Zeus and the Great Flood
- The Sun Chariot:
- Zeus, Hera, and Little Io
- The River Styx
- Hades and the King of Corinth
- Persephone and the Reason for the Seasons
- Apollo's Oracle at Delphi
- Aphrodite and the Trojan War
- Dionysus, the Pirates, and Ariadne
- The Charming Myth of Eros and Psyche
- King Midas and the Golden Touch
- Odysseus, the Cyclops Cave, and the Sirens
Discussion Questions:
Answer these questions for EACH of the three myths you read.
IMPORTANT: The Google Doc Scribe will record your team's responses to the question below in a new Google Doc. Title this new Google Doc "Exploring Greek Mythology Responses".
- In what ways did the gods interact in this myth? Was the interaction friendly? What conflict occurred?
- How do the gods in the myth help or hurt humans?
- Based on this myth, what inferences can you make about Ancient Greek culture? What lessons are taught in the myth? Does the myth explain a topic?
Step 5: Creating and Recording a "What If" Myth
You are finally ready to help the Ancient Greeks! With all of the knowledge you've gained about the Ancient Greek gods and goddesses and the classic myths you've examined, you and your team are going to join forces with one other group who is an expert in another god/goddess to brainstorm a NEW "What If" myth. They are called "What If" myths because they are created by you and are based on a pretend situation, conflict, or event. Here is your opportunity to be creative and be a storyteller like the Ancient Greeks!
"What If" Myth Requirements:
Using the concept maps you created in the first part of this WebQuest, brainstorm ideas of how the two gods/goddesses could interact. Be creative and think of how their personalities and other characteristics could be combined into a story that influences human lives! If you need help thinking of ideas, check out more of the myths from Step 4 that you did not get a chance to read earlier.
As a team, your task is to brainstorm a situation, event, or conflict involving your two groups' gods/goddesses and write a short skit in which you and your team members act out the story. Remember, the plot of your myth may be made up, but the myth you create will include real components of ancient myths. That means your myth needs to either teach a lesson, explain why something works, or tell a story about how the goods influence human life.
Your myth MUST also include:
Once you've got your idea for your "What If" myth, your group needs to write a short script and make/collect props to include in your skit. Props are objects that you include in your skit to help the audience understand the story. For example, if Zeus was in your skit, you could use paper to cut out a lightning bolt or to make a paper crown so your audience understands that the actor is portraying Zeus. Remember, keep it short - your skit should be about 1-2 minutes long.
**Instructions to record your skit:
Click here for a rubric that summarizes what your "What If" myth must include. Use this rubric as a guide to help you know what to include in your myth and skit!
Summary of "What If" Myth Steps:
"What If" Myth Requirements:
Using the concept maps you created in the first part of this WebQuest, brainstorm ideas of how the two gods/goddesses could interact. Be creative and think of how their personalities and other characteristics could be combined into a story that influences human lives! If you need help thinking of ideas, check out more of the myths from Step 4 that you did not get a chance to read earlier.
As a team, your task is to brainstorm a situation, event, or conflict involving your two groups' gods/goddesses and write a short skit in which you and your team members act out the story. Remember, the plot of your myth may be made up, but the myth you create will include real components of ancient myths. That means your myth needs to either teach a lesson, explain why something works, or tell a story about how the goods influence human life.
Your myth MUST also include:
- 2 gods/goddesses interacting with each other and/or humans about a conflict, event, or situation
- Humans that are influenced by the interaction of the gods
Once you've got your idea for your "What If" myth, your group needs to write a short script and make/collect props to include in your skit. Props are objects that you include in your skit to help the audience understand the story. For example, if Zeus was in your skit, you could use paper to cut out a lightning bolt or to make a paper crown so your audience understands that the actor is portraying Zeus. Remember, keep it short - your skit should be about 1-2 minutes long.
**Instructions to record your skit:
- You will be using the classroom Flip camera.
- Each group will be given a maximum of 5 minutes to record their skit.
- Once you have a written script, props, and have rehearsed your skit, the teacher will give your group the Flip camera. The teacher will show you what button to push to begin and stop recording.
Click here for a rubric that summarizes what your "What If" myth must include. Use this rubric as a guide to help you know what to include in your myth and skit!
Summary of "What If" Myth Steps:
- Join forces with one other group
- Brainstorm ways in which your two gods/goddesses could interact
- Write a script and collect/make props for a skit in which you act our your "What If" myth
- Rehearse your skit
- Record your skit using the classroom Flip video camera
- Return the Flip video camera to the teacher
You have completed Lesson 2 once you have recorded your skit and returned the video camera to the teacher.