Greek+Mythology+2011

=Goal=

The purpose of this activity is to familiarize yourself with Greek Mythology and to create your own modern myth in the style of one from ancient Greece. To do this, you will complete the following:


 * 1st -** find information on gods and goddesses and fill out the Olympians Chart;


 * 2nd-** read the Creation Myth, and fill out the Creation Myth Worksheet and complete the storyboard;


 * 3rd-** several myths and analyze them by completing Themes and Common Elements Worksheet;


 * 4th -** as a full class, we will then discuss all of our findings, as well as why ancient Greeks used myths to make sense of their world;

= = =Process=
 * 5th-** and finally, using all you have learned, you will create a myth. **//This myth will explain one of the following: a natural disaster, phenomenon or occurrence, a current or historical event, or some aspect of modern life that would be inexplicable to someone from ancient Greece.//**

Now that you know your task, it's time to get started! You will be working at your own pace by yourself. Throughout history, people of all different cultures have created myths for many different reasons.

1. Like all cultures, the ancient Greeks had a system of beliefs. Rather than worshipping one god, the ancient Greeks had a polytheistic religion in which they honored many different gods and goddesses. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the chief deities, or gods and goddesses, in Greek mythology. Click here to learn more about these gods and goddesses. **As you read, record information about each god or goddess on your Olympians Chart.**

2. Once you have acquainted yourself with the twelve Olympians, you are ready to read some of their stories, otherwise known as myths. Keep in mind that you will stumble upon many other ancient Greek gods, goddesses, heroes, and mortals as you read. The Olympians are the most well known and "important" deities, and are therefore quite prevalent in many of the myths. Consult your Olympians chart as you go to remind yourself who's who in Greek mythology. Remember that there are several themes and elements common to most myths.

3. Read the creation myth to learn more about their explanation for how the world began. **Complete the following: answer the Creation Myth questions worksheet, draw an eight panel storyboard of the main events with a brief description above the pictures; and complete the Common Themes and Elements Worksheet for the Creation Myth.**

4. Click on each of the myths below. Read each one. **As you read, you will record information about each myth onto the Themes and Common Elements in Ancient Greek Myths worksheet.**

**__ King Midas and the Golden Touch __** ||= ** The Weaving Contest ** ||= ** Echo and Narcissus ** ||= ** Demeter and Persephone ** ||
 * = [[image:image004.gif width="210" height="175"]]

After you are finished reading and filling out the **Themes and Common Elements in Ancient Greek Myths worksheet,** it's time for you to think about what you've learned, noticed, or wondered about Greek mythology. Focus your thinking around the following questions. //**Write these answers down, because you will present your ideas to the whole class.**// > Think about the ways that the Greeks used mythology to explain what they did not understand. For example, some myths explained why animals behaved in certain ways, while others tell why natural events like seasons, or weather occurred. In some myths, the gods play tricks on mortals to teach them lessons, usually about morals that were valuable to the culture. Now that you're an "expert" on Greek mythology, it's time to write a myth of your own.
 * What are some themes and elements that you group found in most or all of the myths you read?
 * Why do you think the ancient Greeks created these myths?
 * Did you have a favorite myth? Why?
 * What was the most interesting element of Greek myths to you?

Imagine that you're an ancient Greek man or woman who fell asleep one night at the base of Mt. Olympus in the year 800 B.C.E. (Before the Common Era), only to awake and find yourself in modern day America. Look around. What do you see? What are some things you don't understand? Is there anything so strange and so confusing that the gods must be responsible for it? Think about the different geographical features and animal species you will find. Consider technology and modern architecture. How are people traveling from one place to the next? With your group, brainstorm some ideas that might be explained by a myth.
 * MYTH CREATION**

And now for the fun part! Select a topic and write a myth to explain it. The first step in this process is to plan your myth by **CREATING A MYTH MAP**. Decide which Greek gods and goddesses will be characters in your myth. You may invent the mortals or use real people from history. Be creative with your ideas, but remember to be historically accurate as well. For example, Zeus was the king of the gods in ancient Greek mythology so he must be the king of the gods in your myth as well. However, you may chose to "update" the gods and goddesses and assign new powers to each. It is doubtful, after all, that the ancient Greeks needed a god of the internet. They did, however, have a messenger god named Hermes, who was responsible for communicating with the mortal world. Maybe in modern times he would have some new responsibilities. Once you have completed your myth map, you are ready to write... almost. **Check in with me before you write.**

Ready, set, write! **WRITE YOUR MYTH**. Be sure that your myth follows your story map. The myth should be approx. Two pages. Your final copy should be **typed and edited for spelling, grammar and punctuation.**

[|Assignment Handouts]