LESSON FOUR: GODS AND GODDESSES
GRADE: 7
SUBJECTS: Reading,
Social Studies, Technology
LEARNER OUTCOMES:
- To improve reading, proficiency
and expand vocabulary
- To identify the purpose of mythology
- To gain exposure to some of
the major Greek Myths
- To identify the principal deities
and heroes if Greek mythology
- To gain exposure to the work
of noted mythologists
- To interpret and respond to
myths orally and in writing
- To practice the following critical
thinking and writing skills:
- Analyze theme
- Analyzing a characters motives
- Comparing characters
- Compare myths
- Analyze details
- To write an articles narrating
certain events in myths and present it in the form of a TV news broadcast.
(Group work- News anchors, weather person, sports person, lighting and camera
persons).
DURATION OF LESSON:
Two weeks – Forty-five minute
class periods
MATERIALS:
Elements of Literature (first
course, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.)
Computer lab
Various books from the library
on mythology
Construction paper, markers,
pens, pencils and crayons
Dictionaries, thesaurus, atlases,
maps of Greece
Costumes for the radio broadcast
Mythology
Handout
Student Worksheet
Answer
Key to Worksheet
Myth
Test
Answer Key to Test
TECHNOLOGY TOOLS/COURSEWARE:
:Computers in the computer lab
with Internet availability
:VCR
:CD Player
:Camcorder with blank tapes
TEACHER NOTES:
This unit will introduce students
to Greek mythology in Reading Class. We will begin with an
introduction to myths and
mythology. We will read the following myths:
In the Beginning
After the Earth Appeared
The Palace of Olympus
Ceres and Proserpine
Narcissus
The First Anemones
The Mysteries of Dionysus
Phaethon
Daedalus
King Midas’s Ears
Paris and Queen Helen
The Wooden Horse
Aeneas
These stories are found in our reading
book “Elements of Literature” – Holt, Rinehart & Winston. The computer
research and work will be done in the Success Lab.
Reserve computer lab.
Reserve/bring camcorder to class
for taping of presentations.
Make sure have a blank tape for
taping.
PROCEDURES:
1. I will introduce myths
to the class by having various books about mythology on a table in the room.
2. I will also pass out
a handout of the various gods/goddesses
and a vocabulary list of words relating to myths.
3. Tell students they will
choose a god/goddess about which to write a story/broadcast. They can
work in groups to prepare this broadcast. It could be an interview,
skit of their life or telling of important facts about god/goddess.
They will write an article narrating certain events in myths and present
it in the form of a TV news broadcast. (Group work- News anchors, weather
person, sports person, lighting and camera persons).
4. We will read the introduction
in our book orally and discuss it.
5. We will discuss each story
as we read it and do the assignments related to the story.
6. We will go to the computer
lab and research different gods/goddesses by using the websites listed below.
Students will complete the worksheet about the gods.
6. At the end of the unit, the
students will organize in groups and prepare for their “broadcast” presentation.
We will video each group as they present to the class.
MODIFICATIONS:
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES:
Students may choose any two of
the following activities to complete.
1. Students
can use their knowledge of the myths as a foundation for writing character
sketches. What were Hera, Pan, Athena and the other gods and goddesses really
like? Students will be able to disclose to the world the truth about these
characters in the sketches they write.
2. Tell students their favorite
mythological character has just retired. Zeus, the father of the gods, is
now accepting applications for a replacement. Ask your students to write letters
of application and a brief resume or biographical sketch.
3. Every aspiring hero or heroine
needs to receive the proper instruction and training. Fortunately, there are
a few openings in the most distinguished university in ancient Greece. In
order for your students to secure a space, they should write for an application,
a catalog and financial aid information. Requests can be sent to: University
of the Muses, 300 Aphrodite Way, Laconia, Greece.
4. Mythology's influence is evident
in our language. It is hard to imagine reading or writing without drawing
upon myth-oriented adjectives or idioms. Have your students to
research the histories of words that come from the Greek myths. For instance,
ask them what it means to have an "Achilles heel". As they do their research,
they'll find that Achilles was a Greek hero whose mother rubbed him with
ambrosia and put him in a fire (or dipped him in the river Styx) when he
was a baby so his body could not be pierced by weapons. Since he was held
by the heel during the process, his heel was not protected. Paris found this
out and shot Achilles in the heel with an arrow. From this, let pupils speculate
on the meaning of the modern-day expression and then let them check their
definition with dictionaries. Students might record words in a notebook or
compile a mythological dictionary.
EVALUATION /ASSESSMENT:
Students will be evaluated on
class participation, homework, worksheet, and presentations
and writings. (Answer key to worksheet)
Students will also be assessed
with test on mythology. (Answer key to test)
JOB/CAREER CLUSTERS:
Fine Arts and Humanities
WV INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
AND OBJECTIVES:
Language Arts
7.3 understand multi-step
oral directions to perform a task
7.5 use public speaking
strategies to prepare formal and informal speaking presentations
7.8 listen to oral communication
to retell information
7.9 listen to specific
information and construct meaning beyond the text (e.g., character's feeling)
7.12 listen to oral communications
to determine author's purpose
7.13 listen to oral communications
to compare and contrast information
7.14 listen to oral communications
to predict outcomes
7.15 draw conclusions and
infer information from listening to oral communication
7.16 think critically about
the selection to foster exploration, questioning, and imagining
7.19 read literary works
by national and international authors to include but not be limited to biographies,
short stories, science fiction, tall tales, legends, folktales, contemporary
fiction, poetry, plays, and essays
7.22 locate details in
a passage to promote initial understanding of text
7.23 determine main idea
of a passage
7.32 use figurative language
and jargon to determine meaning of information in functional text
7.41 determine whether
the word has a literal or figurative meaning
7.51 use prewriting and
drafting strategies to address specific writing purposes
7.52 compose a composition
that is focused, coherent, and has a clear and logical progression of ideas
7.53 compose a composition
that shows a smooth transition to produce a cohesive piece of writing
7.54 use a writing prompt
to develop a composition on a given topic
Geography
7.20 compare and contrast
geographic regions (e.g., physical, cultural, perceptual, economic)
7.21 compare the physical,
political, cultural, and economic environments of regions
7.22 use correct geographic
terminology
7.29 define the term "culture"
and use the term in a geographic context (e.g., isolation, core area, movement)
7.33 describe the physical
and human characteristics in major world regions
7.44 locate and identify
major world rivers, climate areas, and rain forests
Technology
7.59 use appropriate software
to practice and master seventh grade social studies instructional objectives
7.60 use a variety of audio-visual
and multi-media materials to practice and master seventh grade social studies
instructional objectives
7.61 practice inputting
data using correct keying, editing, and formatting techniques
7.66 discriminate between
ethical and unethical access to information
7.68 use on-line sources
to obtain or exchange information
NATIONAL STANDARDS:
Language Arts
1. Uses the general skills
and strategies of the writing process
3. Uses grammatical and
mechanical conventions in written compositions
4. Gathers and uses information
for research purposes
5. Uses the general skills
and strategies of the reading process
6. Uses reading skills
and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of literary texts
7. Uses reading skills
and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts
8. Uses listening and
speaking strategies for different purposes
9. Uses viewing skills
and strategies to understand and interpret visual media
10. Understands the characteristics
and components of the media
Geography
1. Understands the characteristics
and uses of maps, globes, and other geographic tools and technologies
2. Knows the location
of places, geographic features, and patterns of the environment
4. Understands the physical
and human characteristics of place
5. Understands the concept
of regions
6. Understands that culture
and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions
10. Understands the nature
and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics
12. Understands the patterns
of human settlement and their causes
14. Understands how human
actions modify the physical environment
17. Understands how geography
is used to interpret the past
Technology
1. Knows the characteristics
and uses of computer hardware and operating systems
2. Knows the characteristics
and uses of computer software programs
6. Understands the nature
and uses of different forms of technology
REFERENCES:
Elements of Literature
– Holt, Rinehart, and Winston
Web Sites:
Books from the library about mythology
AUTHORS:
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