Students who are new to ESL practice reading and responding to fictional texts using this product. Mythology, as a whole, consists of myths in various cultures and religions. Analyze the Source: Consider whether or not the person writing the myth believed in its veracity. It has been demonstrated that students who study Greek mythology are more engaged in their education. Hesiod believes that the four primary divine beings first appeared as the Gap (Chaos), Earth (Gaea), the Abyss (Tartarus), and Love (Eros). Reading and hearing about Greek mythology is one thing but why are modern people still made to study them? We can better understand human nature and the effects of ones choices. At some universities these are taught by English faculty, but many are taught as part of the World Languages department. Greek Mythology Helps Understand Human Nature Many character issues that students face at home (jealousy, trouble with other children, back talking, etc) are addressed in Greek mythology. Despite the fact that its an ancient text, its a straightforward read thats a great introduction to ancient Greek beliefs. Another missed opportunity arises when Greek mythology could pave the way to introduce the ideology of false religion. Throughout each of these playful chapter books, readers will learn about a goddess girl as she deals with the challenges of school, friendship, and growing up. In Greek mythology, the lines between good and evil are very clear cut. Thats because all of these virtues are found repeatedly throughout the myths. Sports? For the Greek ancestors of ancient times, myth was reason or history, synonymous with the words reason and epic. One popular myth is that of Perseus, who was a god. Students learn problem-solving skills and how to deal with difficult situations as a result of studying these stories. Despite the fact that these stories have been around for thousands of years, they are still able to spark important conversations about current social issues. Here is a link to Core Knowledge's Greeks Myths for 2nd-grade unit currently being offered as a free download. It has been said that simply by studying or even just reading some of these myths, people can learn how to control their actions or at least think better of what they do. With the figures of Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, and the other gods they can set the scene of your story and bring to life the favorite myths of the children. Children are very sensitive and there is no better tool to help them grow a defensive mechanism in order to manage a possible loss or other difficult situations than a greek mythology book. First and foremost, teachers should include Greek Mythology in their lessons because it is just so fun! Many high schools offer courses in Greek mythology, but there are also many ways to teach this subject matter on your own. Any modern person who reads or hears of Greek myths will be hard-pressed to stay unaffected. I believe that society and teacher's personal beliefs have pressured the school system into only teaching non popular religions as mythology. Medusa. They often feature heroic battles and terrible creatures, and taught the importance of bravery, intelligence, and right and wrong. In Persephone, a young womans quest to find beauty in darkness is the focus of her story. To some people, Greek myths are these epic tales of gods and goddesses gallivanting about the earth, achieving all sorts of impossible tasks. The ancient Jews began the education of their children at the age of five to seven. All in one Mobile App. In Greek myths, it talks about a mortal thinking that they are either better or wiser than the supreme Gods and Goddesses. Get creative. Greek mythology has a clear line between good and evil. These schools were typically located within monasteries, and their primary focus was on the education of monks. Greek sports were structured according to ancient Greece religious values and rituals. While there may be many reasons, I have noted four of my top reasons why teachers-from elementary to high school-should incorporate Greek Mythology into their curriculum. The basic premise is that some high school students cramming for a mythology fall asleep, and when they wake up, they find themselves in the world of Greek mythology. The Greek story of Narcissus, a deathly-handsome young man, is presented as the backstory of the daffodil, also known by its scientific name, narcissus. It can be studied in many classes, including history, Greek studies, Roman/Greek theology, and language. Much of what we know about Greek mythology comes from these writers. The pace of Spinners is somewhat awkward, and the conclusion appears to be rushed. Kids see Greek myths as creative fairy tales, which are full of important life lessons about family, friendship, love, etc. Children who grew up with greek mythology books have been observed to learn to read faster as well as write. It might seem hopelessly outdated and unimportant but the exact opposite of that is true. Greek philosophy provided the early Christian church with a set of discussion tools, as well as an opposing worldview with which to contrast the gospel. The latest Core Spirit news, articles, and products, sent straight to your inbox. There have been no such years in the past. Nikki Beckett vanished during the spring of last year, and she was sucked into an Underworld known as the Everneath. At the same time, it is an opportunity to repeat the key learning as the figures are accompanied by information cards. Good and Bad Distinction. It is a great way to get students interested and motivated to think about myths through an intriguing and inventive medium. Owl messengers are generally regarded as a link between spirit and human beings. The myth is simply not a fairy tale. After 10 years of war and as many traveling at sea, Odysseus returns home and goes through a . Sirenz is a composition by Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman. If you looked at them with your eyes, the eyes of Medusa turned into stones. WHY TEACH MYTHOLOGY? Encourage them to discuss the stories and characters, and ask questions about the meaning behind the myths. Megans new school has no one to talk to, so she has to rely on the staff to find her a mentor. In this course, students will be introduced to mythology through the reading and writing of mythology books. When they discovered that Jason had obtained it, they were disappointed. Students will build a framework of knowledge about how the ancient Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses and that the twelve they believed lived on Mount Olympus, the home of the gods were the most powerful. The stories of Greek mythology automatically put the children and the parents in the process of imaginatively creating the images that are created for us by reading or listening to them. All of these have bewildered humanity since ancient times. It also teaches us a very important lesson.. There are a number of ways to bring the stories and characters of Greek mythology to life. Check! It isn't just taught as part of a literature curriculum at school but is also part of most history lessons. Greek mythology is a collection of stories about the gods, goddesses, and heroes of ancient Greece. . Of his 123 plays, only 7 survived intact. In fact, if you ask them what kind of hero would you like to be in this story?, most likely their answer includes some of the Twelve Gods of Olympus, mainly because of their unique abilities. Alternatively, you could take on the persona of a god or goddess and keep a diary based on that goddesss mythology. She has a Bachelor in English Education and her MBA. Bookworms devour everything, from short works to page-turning novels. September 2nd. Creating games, in addition to teaching mythology, can be an effective way to do so. In addition to literature, myths have been represented in other forms of art as well. Begin your Greek mythology unit with reviewing Genesis and what God says about man-made religion in the book of Romans. Or, even worse, an allusion to Greek Mythology could fly right over our heads without us aware we were missing anything at all! The most important thing is to make sure that your students are engaged and excited about the material. It tells the stories of the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology, as well as their interactions with humans. Use a variety of resources. By exposing all students to this powerful and enduring form of narrative, you will be able to give all students the opportunity to participate. The magical world of ancient Greek Gods is a world full of fights, wars, compromise, fear, fun, punishment and love. The powerpoint above can be used by high school students in the lead up to an exam or quiz. The teachings and doings of ancient Greeks have remained important lessons that many societies still use. The protagonists, after all, are usually mortals who use their perspicacity and abilities to overcome the obstacles in front of them and achieve their goal. They are supposed to be real stories, and myths are typically observed as true historical accounts. Greek Mythology helps us understand additional works of literature. Famous researcher Jacques Cousteau named his vessel Calypso, thought to be the daughter of the Titan Atlas. The U.S. space program is named for Apollo. In your sixth-grade social studies class, you will learn about a variety of myths. WHY TEACH MYTHOLOGY? The newly released Connect to Comprehension Extension kit uses decodable Greek myths to help students learn and practice advanced decoding skills, advanced vocabulary and upper-level comprehension skills such as identifying theme, point of view, and perspective. These myths should not be overlooked, and even a basic understanding of them will suffice. Students can read classics as well as retellings of Greek mythology in their spare time. These Greek mythology books for kids are filled with action, drama, and adventure, ranging from immortal gods, goddesses, and heroes to unusual creatures and demigods. Four Reasons for Teaching Greek Mythology at an early age. The mythologies of ancient Greece, China, and Egypt provide us with characters, narratives, monsters, and story worlds for fans to draw upon in order to create new fiction. References to Greek Mythology can still be found in our discussions about science, arts and literature, language, names and brands. Messenger of the gods, who is permitted to leave the underworld without consequence. Pre K-12 $1.25. Students pick up on these moral lessons and then incorporate them in daily life when they hear about them through stories. A deeper look at Greek myths should reveal morals, philosophies, and even warnings. 33.The truth is often bitter and difficult to hear; mythology makes the medicine go down easier. The value of physical education to the ancient Greeks and Romans has been historically unique. It is almost comical how these myths capture human behavior in the ancient times that are still alive and kicking today. 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