Do your standards cover mythological allusions? If so, this is the right place for you! I will show you the steps to take to help you and your students develop a deep understanding of the Common Core Standard RL.4.4. It states: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they
Teaching mythology genre studies excites kids like nothing else! You can include research, writing, allusions, and more!
Do your standards cover mythological allusions? If so, this is the right place for you! I will show you the steps to take to help you and your students develop a deep understanding of the Common Core Standard RL.4.4. It states: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they
This is the first anchor chart that my students saw when they walked in the morning we began mythology! The week prior to the unit, we discussed legends and watched Hercules after testing one afternoon. This was the perfect connection to have going into a unit surrounding myths. We still refer back to this chart throughout our reading/activities - I recommend having something similar to this in your classroom when you teach Greek Mythology or read The Lightning Thief! As Percy's journey continued, my class began to realize that Percy faces a new challenge almost every chapter. In one of the chapters, we came across the word "quest." What an awesome stopping discussion - what is Percy's quest in this chapter? What is his ultimate quest? How does his journey on the quest change him? The students had a great time recalling the challenges that Percy had faced up to the point where we were in the book, and it was a great way to check for understanding on whether they truly knew the meaning of the word. I made this anchor chart AFTER my class developed a definition together so that the knowledge was student-made!
Find out how to get students interested in Greek Mythology gods and goddesses analysis excercise by using the biography project. This is an engaging and memorable student-collaboration activity. You can use this for The Odyssey, The Lightning Thief, Hercules, ancient history, Greek theater, Greek civilization, or for a fun mythology unit.
Teach your children about Greek Mythology using these free Greek Myths Worksheets that include god and goddesses charts, games & more.
Check out these free mythology lesson plans. Kids delve into a novel study, characters from myths, literary analysis, allusions, and writing!
Learn about about 24 greek god and goddesses in this fun, Greek Mythology for Kids printable pdf book filled with Greek myths.
It is my favorite time of the year - my Humanities Seven students are currently completing a novel study on a version of The Odyssey. Greek Mythology always gets the kids excited, and I absolutley love teaching it. While there are a lot of different retellings of the epic tale, I am a big fan of the version by Robin Lister. The writing itself is beautiful, not to mention the fun illustrations throughout the novel. I find that she captures the essence of the story, and makes it accessible to middle school readers. I have taught this novel for 10 plus years now, and it is always thoroughly enjoyed by my students. I highly recommend the novel for upper elementary and middle school students. As a pre-reading activity to get the kids excited about the book, I usually show them some of the Odyssey themed artwork done by John Waterhouse. He has some amazing pictures of characters and events from the epic. I usually choose a few images and put them on the classroom screen, and have the kids try and predict what is going on in the picture. It is a fun pre-reading activity, and helps to build anticipation. If you are interested in checking out some of Waterhouse's work, click here. My favorite image is his picture of Circe and the "animals" - haunting! There are a lot of different characters and settings in The Odyssey, so before we dive into the story, we take some time learning about each of them. With all of the different Greek names, it can be easy for students to get confused. Because of this, I have the kids write down some notes on each of the characters and settings in the novel. When they are done, I have them glue these pages into the front of their Odyssey Interactive Notebook, to refer back to whenever they get confused. I have found that the kids get quite attached to their notebooks, and often spend extra time at home decorating the pages (which makes me happy!) I find these pages really come in handy around quiz or test time, as the kids have something to refer back to and help them study. When discussing Greek Mythology, the idea of the "Epic Hero" often comes up in my English classroom. Odysseus truly embodies the idea of the Greek Hero (even with his flaws), so it is a good time to discuss what it means to be a hero. In order to ensure that we are all using common language when we discuss the concept of the Epic Hero, I like to go over the specific qualities that Epic Heroes possess. Noble Birth: The hero is typically a King, Prince, Demigod, or someone of high rank within their culture. Supernatural Abilities or Qualities: The hero possesses qualities of greatness, such as bravery, cunning, humility, or wisdom. Vast Traveler: The hero's travels take him to exotic or supernatural locations, often to battle against evil. Unmatched Warrior: The hero is a great warrior, in some capacity. Cultural Legend: The hero is well known in his own culture, before going out on his quest. Humility: A true hero completes heroic actions for their own sake. Heroes that choose to boast are often punished and humbled. Battle Supernatural Forces: The hero faces supernatural beings of some sort. Once we have established a common framework to examine Epic Heroes more closely, I have the kids discuss in small groups some of the Epic Heroes they can think of from movies and TV. Characters like Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker are great examples. After discussion, I have the kids come up with symbols to represent each of the Epic Hero qualities. I find that creating a visual of the concept really helps the kids to remember the qualities. When they are done, I have the kids glue them into their Interactive Notebooks. While we read through the novel, I had the kids discuss and write about the different ways Odysseus showed these Epic Hero qualities. This year marks my tenth year of teaching this novel, and I still don't get tired of hearing my students react to the Cyclops scene. It is just the right amount of gruesome to really appeal to 7th graders! Because engagement is naturally high with the scene, I take advantage of that and have the kids create a comic strip summary of what it going on. The kids love creating their own comics, and I don't even seem to notice that they are practicing their summarizing skills. Do you teach this novel with your upper elementary or middle school kids? I would love to hear about some of the fun activities you do with it!!! If you are interested in doing a similar unit, you can pick up a copy of all of the resources I used here, as well as a bunch of other fun activities (including my Odyssey High School Yearbook activity!) by visiting my teachers pay teachers store, or clicking on the image below.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is hands down one of my all-time favorite plays. The love stories, the shenanigans of Puck, all of the jokes at Bottom’s expense…. It’s just perfec…
Teaching mythology genre studies excites kids like nothing else! You can include research, writing, allusions, and more!
Teaching mythology genre studies excites kids like nothing else! You can include research, writing, allusions, and more!
You're going to learn so much with these Greek mythology worksheets, the kids will color in 13 mythical characters & learn all about them
DIY Greek Mythology Party Games that even the Gods themselves would love. This theme can be a blast, and these activities are perfect to ensure that.
Teaching mythology genre studies excites kids like nothing else! You can include research, writing, allusions, and more!
Find out how to get students interested in Greek Mythology gods and goddesses analysis excercise by using the biography project. This is an engaging and memorable student-collaboration activity. You can use this for The Odyssey, The Lightning Thief, Hercules, ancient history, Greek theater, Greek civilization, or for a fun mythology unit.
These four resources for teaching mythology will add interest and engaging content to your curriculum that students will love and it will make your life easier.
These myths surface in our culture again and again.
Teach characters from mythology with a simple research project. When kids are finished, you get a beautiful display for your classroom!
Teaching mythology genre studies excites kids like nothing else! You can include research, writing, allusions, and more!
The first three Reading: Literature standards fall under the category "Key Ideas and Details." Standard 4 begins the section entitled "Craft and Structure." This standard specifically focuses on vocabulary and word choice. CCRA.R.4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. Let's look at the corresponding third, fourth, and fifth grade literature standards to see what's required. RL.3.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral. RL.4.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g. Herculean). RL.5.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes. The first strand of all three standards directs us to work on words in context. In my classroom, we really hit this skill hard when we read Hatchet. Each year I am amazed by how difficult it is for my advanced fourth graders to zero in on the correct definition for a word in context. Here are a few examples: "...and drone of the engine had been all that was left." ____ n. a male bee ____ n. a pilotless airplane ____ n. a humming sound Now I can understand why some students (especially if they don't go back into the text to see more of the context) might choose "a pilotless airplane." After all, the pilot has just died, leaving Brian alone. But I have had students choose "a male bee." What? "Or he could pull the throttle out and make it go down now." ____ v. to choke ____ n. throat ____ n. valve for controlling fuel This exercise demonstrates the importance of not only knowing parts of speech but also understanding how they are used in sentences. "Choke" can be synonymous with "throttle" here, but the word "the" in the sentence indicates that "throttle" is a noun. Then, of course, the students also need to be trained to plug the definition into the sentence in place of the word and see if it works. What strikes me about the Common Core State Standards most is that there's never any "quick and easy" answer. The first three Reading: Literature standards require students to look back, organize, and do quite a bit of writing. Standard 4 requires thinking. Man, is that ever painful for kids! They want quick and easy so badly! One way I have combatted this is to give time off for good behavior. 100% on a tricky vocabulary sheet like this can earn a homework pass. I figure that 100% thorough 50% of the time is better than 50% thorough 100% of the time. So what about the second strand of each of the standards listed above? Third Grade - Students must discriminate between literal and nonliteral. If this skill is repeated over and over throughout the year, it will set the students up for better comprehension. I can already hear third grade teachers all over the country chanting, "Is this literal or figurative?" and "What is meant by it?" Fourth Grade - I teach fourth grade, and I'm still scratching my head on this one. I could have understood if the folks who created the CCSS required fourth graders to use Greek and Latin word parts to unlock word meanings, but "allude to significant characters found in mythology"??? Okay, if you say so. Here are a few ways I'm squeezing it into my curriculum: When reading Ella Enchanted, discuss adjectives that refer to well-known fairy tale characters found in the book (gigantic, elfin, dwarf or dwarfish, ogreish). Read Greek mythology and/or The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians series); discuss characters from Greek mythology and adjective forms of their names (herculean, mercurial, titanic). Explicitly teach English words that come from Greek mythology. (I found the list below at http://www.need.org/needpdf/GreekWords.pdf. and thank the unknown author!) Fifth Grade - Time to teach similes and metaphors! May I suggest two books loaded with figurative language? Since I live in the Great Lakes region, a favorite picture book is Paddle-to-the-Sea (1942 Caldecott Honor Book). Another little-known gem is The Cat Who Went to Heaven, which won the Newbery Award in 1931. Before closing today, I want to share the most awesome resource I found online today. It's chock-full of Common Core related reading activities for Grades 4 and 5! These resources can be used for just about any story or book. Many thanks to the Florida Center for Reading Research for publishing such a great tool! How do you emphasize vocabulary in context in your classroom? Do you have some ideas for helping students distinguish between literal and nonliteral phrases? How about ways to incorporate words related to Greek mythology or books with great figurative language? We'd all love to hear about it! Please share your comments.
Learn Greek mythology as a family with these fun hands-on activities!
Mythical Allusions - tips, tricks, and resources for teaching all about Allusions from Ancient Greek Mythology.
Use these worksheets in your Greek Mythology lesson plans; these free printables are suitable for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade students.
Teaching mythology genre studies excites kids like nothing else! You can include research, writing, allusions, and more!
Looking for some online resources to round out (or start) a learning experience about Greek Mythology for your middle school ELA students? Below are a few helpful websites that have lots of passages, short myth stories, and activities and ideas. I can tell you that typically, kids LOVE reading the script / play versions out
Teaching mythology genre studies excites kids like nothing else! You can include research, writing, allusions, and more!
Teaching mythology genre studies excites kids like nothing else! You can include research, writing, allusions, and more!
Explore all these Greek Mythology Resources and FREE Printables we found for you! There are printables, crafts, games, coloring pages, and more.
Folklore, legends, and oral mythology were always part of the sacred traditions of civilizations. In this blog post, we break down the process behind the Art of Mythmaking, teaching you what it takes to create your own mythology.
Greek Mythology Anchor Chart- the post includes a FREE partner play about Aphrodite!
Greek myths - activities and resources for teaching all about Ancient Greece Mythology for upper elementary and middle school.
Teach your children about myths and legends with this comprehensive teaching pack. It includes a full topic guide, example texts to explore, story starters, activity resources and eye-catching display materials to enhance your learning environment!
Check out this fun free Greek Mythology Word Search, free for use at home or in school This is a printable Greek Mythology Word Search...
-Looking for a fun student-led virtual Field Trip to go along with your Percy Jackson or Greek Mythology unit? This presentation includes various kid-safe links to tour the Metropolitan Museum of A…
Use this worksheet to teach your children about the Greek Alphabet.
Greek Mythology Word Search
Have you been wanting to teach Greek Mythology in your class, but don't where to start? There is so much to Greek Mythology that it can feel overwhelming.
Greek Gods Names Crossword Puzzle
Resources and Ideas for teaching an Ancient Greece Interactive Notebook unit, Strategies and teaching tips for social studies or history.
Blog post about teaching inferences and character traits with Greek mythology to your middle and high school students. Includes activity ideas!
Greek fatalism stemmed from the belief in the omnipotence of the Fates, who determined the destinies of mortals. This idea of predestined fate influenced various aspects of Greek life, including re…
Teaching mythology genre studies excites kids like nothing else! You can include research, writing, allusions, and more!
