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Subject

English Language Arts (NYS P-12 Common Core)

Description

In this lesson, students will be introduced to Greek Mythology as well as historical background to the epic, The Odyssey, by Homer.

For an overview of the entire unit on The Odyssey, or to view the other lessons within this unit, visit: The Odyssey by Homer: Unit Overview.

Duration

One 80-minute class period

Objectives

• Students will take notes and answer questions about the Trojan War.
• Students will identify several gods/monsters from Greek Mythology that are relevant to The Odyssey.
• Students will know background about the author, Homer, and the purpose of mythology.

Essential Question

• How are belief systems represented and reproduced through history, literature, and art?
• How do belief systems shape and reflect culture?
• How do belief systems influence people as individuals and influence their behavior?

Materials & Resources

• Copies of Trojan War worksheet (one per student)
• Copies of Thinking about Greek Mythology worksheet (one per student)
• Teacher copy of listening passage on the Trojan War
• Computer with projector hook-up
• Greek Deities and Monsters Odyssey Intro. PowerPoint

Greek Deities and Monsters Odyssey Intro.ppt

Greek Mythology TEACHER KEY.doc

Thinking about Greek Mythology.doc

Trojan War Worksheet

Odyssey Listening Passage on Trojan War

Step-by-Step Procedure

Anticipatory Set : Have students complete the Thinking about Greek Mythology handout. Allow students about four minutes to complete, then allow them two minutes to peer share.

1. Review the sheet as a class. (Teacher Key attached.)
2. Tell students that they will be listening to a passage about the Trojan War. Instruct students to take notes while listening to the passage. The passage will be read twice. Tell students that they should take notes during the first reading, then review their notes, identify missing pieces, and fill in the blanks while hearing the passage read again. Read the passage about the background to the Trojan War.
3. Have students peer share their notes and discuss what they learned from listening to the passage.
4. Pass out the worksheet on the Trojan War. Allow students five minutes to complete using their notes.
5. Review the worksheet on the Trojan War.
6. Instruct students to number the back of the Trojan War worksheet from 1-13. Tell students that they will be viewing a PowerPoint with pictures of various Greek gods and monsters. They are to independently try to guess what god/monster is depicted in the picture.
7. Show PowerPoint. Slides 2-14 are the pictures with prompts and questions and slides 15-27 are the slides with the answers. Students should take notes while viewing the answer portion of the slides.

Closure: Have students complete the Exit Slip found on slide 28 in the PowerPoint.

Assessment

• Student performance on Trojan War worksheet.
• Student participation in discussion on Greek Mythology.
• Student performance on Exit Slip.

Alternate Presentation

Instead of viewing the PowerPoint slides as a presentation, you can also print out each slide individually and post around the room (you only need to print slides 2-14). Students can walk around the room to try to identify the gods/monsters in the pictures. This is a great way to have students move around and engage them in learning. You could then show the answers in the PowerPoint, or simply hold up each picture and go over the information.

Related Academic Standards

New York State

9-10SL3 Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric; identify any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence.

RL.9-10.6 Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.

SL.9-10.3 Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, identifying any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence.