Anthony F. Magaraci II
Purpose: To recognize the relationship between Greek mythology and Greek culture.
Objective: Students will discover how the gods in Greek myth assumed mortal traits and weakness, and how these tales, in turn, influenced the way people lived.
Activity: Students will read The Rival Twins in Michael Gibson's Gods, Men & Monsters and complete the question and answer sheet.
Materials: Copies of 1. The Rival Twins, 2. Question and Answer Sheets, 3. Vocabulary Definitions
Vocabulary: Castor, Polydeuces, Idas, Lynceus, Zeus, Sparta, Poseidon, mortal, outraged, Marpessa, suitors, chariot, Apollo, Messene, spurned, and Olympus.
Part 1: Direct approach/ 15 minutes
A. The teacher will begin the lesson by asking students "Why do you think mythology was important to the Greeks?" "How do the actions of the gods resemble the actions of people?" and "Do you think mythology influenced the way people lived or do you think people invented these tales to reflect on their own lives?"
B. All students will have seven minutes to respond by writing down their answers in their notebooks.
C. Each student will have an opportunity to report his/her answers to the class.
D. The teacher will follow-up student responses and instruct students to write the following statements in their notebooks.
1. "All Greek gods assumed mortal traits and weaknesses."
2. "Most Greeks felt it was their duty to meet the gods' expectations of people."
3. "The Greeks modeled the existence of gods after their own existence."
4. "We can learn compare Greek mythology to actual events which unfolded in history."
Part 2: Inquiry/ 15 minutes
A. The teacher will pass out a copy of each handout to the students.
B. Students will read The Rival Twins and answer all problems on the question and answer sheet, using the vocabulary guide to assist them.
C. The teacher will monitor the activity and provide assistance when necessary.
Part 3: Cooperative/ 10 minutes
A. The teacher will instruct students to provide evidence gathered from their handouts which would prove the above statements correct.
B. Students will verbally report their answers to the class.
C. The teacher will follow-up student responses.
Part 4: Closure/ 5 minutes.
A. The teacher will review the main concepts of the lesson and provide the students with concluding comments.
B. The teacher will answer any final questions concerning the topic which students may have.
