Greek Mythology Lesson Plan

Lesson: Impact of Greek Mythology on Modern Times
By: Melissa Bennett
Primary Subject: Language Arts
Grade Level: Middle School

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to tell a parent or friend about the role that Greek mythology plays in the world today.

ANTICIPATORY SET: I will have a variety of objects and pictures at the front of the room (i.e. Harry Potter books, pictures of book characters, company logos, and photos of different buildings). When students are seated I will point out each item/picture and ask students what they think all of these things have in common. I don’t expect them to guess correctly, but it will get them warmed up and get them on the right track for today’s lesson. .

PURPOSE: "You are beginning to see the impact that Greek mythology has had on the world today. By the end of this lesson you will be able to go home and tell a parent or friend how Greek mythology has impacted areas like literature and architecture."

INPUT: "Greek myths were expressions of the fears, problems and aspirations that people have had for generations. These fears and dreams gradually became a sort of reality to them in the form of myths."

• Tell students that the myths were compiled and written by poets who didn’t hesitate to make changes whenever it suited them.
• Introduce various definitions of the word myth.
  
• A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society.
• A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal.
• A fiction or half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology.
• Provide a list of new vocabulary words that will be relevant to the myth that will be introduced later in the unit.
  
• fate
• enchantment
• curse
• immortal
• chariot
• oath
• linger

MODEL: I will share with students an old Irish myth that I am familiar with. As I do this, I will encourage students to begin thinking of any myths that they are familiar with or have heard.

GUIDED PRACTICE: I will ask students to write down a myth that they have heard about. If students do not know any myths, then they will need to create one very short myth; one that falls under any of the above mentioned definitions of the word. I will walk around the room offering suggestions and guiding students in the right direction.

CLOSURE: Review the definitions of the word myth. Review the vocabulary words with students. Ask students to recall areas that Greek mythology has impacted.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE: Have students go home and teach a parent or a friend about the impact of Greek mythology on the world today. Have that parent/friend grade the student's "lecture" with comments and turn it in for credit tomorrow.

ASSESSMENT: Students will be graded by a family member on how well they taught the impact of Greek mythology. The comments will give me an idea of how well students retained the information.

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This is a wonderful way to spark interest about Greek mythology!

What was GOOD about Bennett's lesson?

• Bennett connects Greek mythology to the real world by providing modern examples of myths.
  
• Bennett explains what a myth is in many, different ways to ascertain that students will understand.
  
• Bennett requires student to teach the lesson they learned that day at home; this helps to solidify what the students have learned.
  

What would I do to IMPROVE Bennett's lesson?

• Give more than one modeled example, which will help students better understand the assignment's requirements.
  
• Be more specific on the requirements for guided practice. For example, I would tell students to create a myth to explain why the earth rotates. Students would also be expected to include one of their new vocabulary words in their myths.
• Include a video example of a myth, so visual learners can better grasp what a myth is.