Summary
During this interactive lesson on Greek mythology, students will seek to understand why heroes became known as heroes and how they compare to modern day heroes. The term "hero" is perhaps overused today, but these guys were the originals. The mythology of ancient Greece was filled with great heroes who slew monsters, battled whole armies, and loved (and lost) beautiful women. The full stories often reveal Hercules, Achilles, and Perseus and others to be imperfect characters...but their names have lived on for millennia.
Essential Question(s)
How do characters become and remain 'heroes'?
Snapshot
Engage
Students watch a clip from the movie: Hercules.
Explore
Students brainstorm a list of qualities of a hero.
Explain
Students research and create trading cards on Greek heroes.
Extend
Students participate in small group discussion using "True for Who?"
Evaluate
Students write a short reflection on Greek heroes v. group definition of heroes.
Materials
Lesson Slides (attached)
Greek Hero Card (attached; one per student)
True for Who handout (attached; one per student)
Achilles Research (attached; one per two students researching Achilles)
Hercules Research (attached; one per two students researching Hercules)
Odysseus Research (attached; one per two students researching Odysseus)
Pandora Research (attached; one per two students researching Pandora)
Perseus Research (attached; one per two students researching Perseus)
Laptop or other devices
Wifi/internet connectivity
Paper
Markers, Crayons, Colored Pencils
Pencils/Pens
Chart Paper
Glue or tape
Engage
10 Minute(s)
Introduce the lesson using the attached Lesson Slides. Let students know they will examine heroes in multiple forms.
Display slides 2 and 3 to share the lesson's essential question and learning objectives with students. Review these with the class to the extent necessary.
Display slide 4 and share the following video clip from Hercules. When the clip is over, ask students, "What makes this character a hero?"
Explore
30 Minute(s)
Move to slide 5. Ask students to reflect on the video, as well on their past experiences to answer the question, "What makes a hero?" Provide them with some thinking time; then instruct them to write down the top three most important characteristics of a hero.
Once students have had an opportunity to write down these characteristics, display slide 6 and share the instructional strategy, Stand Up, Sit Down. Instruct all students to stand up. Let them know that they are going to share just one of the characteristics that they wrote down at a time with the class. Once they have shared out or if someone else shares something they have written down, ask students to cross the characteristic off their paper. As they are sharing out, record their responses on the Frayer Model under the characteristics box to use for later. Ask students to sit down once all of the characteristics on their paper have been shared out and crossed off.
Display slide 7. As a whole class, talk through a definition for the word "hero." Use the list of characteristics that the students already came up with to guide the discussion. Next, ask students create a list of examples and non-examples to add to the Frayer Model. Let them know that they will use this information later on in the lesson.
Explain
45 Minute(s)
Move to slide 8. Share with students that they will have the opportunity to research one of five heroes and heroines. Consider dividing the class ahead of time into groups of five so that you have a good balance of students researching different heroes. Provide the groups with a copy of the attached research handouts that have a list of age-appropriate reading on each of the heroes and heroines. Give students time to scan the websites to see the different information each provides. After an appropriate amount of time, display slide 9 and let students know that they are looking for the following information on their selected hero/heroine:
Name
Where they came from
Strengths
Weaknesses
Greatest Accomplishments
Display slide 10. Share a sample Greek Hero/heroine Baseball card. Take time to walk students through each of the requirements that is included.
Move to slide 11. This slide shows sample student work, which includes the task requirements. Pass out the attached Greek Hero Card. Let students know that when they complete their research and have filled in the information on the backside of their card, they can draw an image of their hero/heroine. Encourage them to do their best work, not their fastest work.
Once students have had a chance to complete their baseball cards, have them fold them in half down the centerline. They can either glue the blank side together or tape it to achieve a complete look. Have them share their heroes/heroines with their groups.
Extend
30 Minute(s)
Move to slide 12. Share the instructional strategy True for Who? Let students know that their groups are going to "battle it out" Pokémon style with the other groups to determine whose hero/heroine is described in the statements.
Pass out the attached True for Who? handout and have students review each of the statements with their group. Together they decide which hero/heroine is being described and then write down notes about their discussion or explain why they think the description identifies a particular person. Once the groups are wrapping up their discussions, use slides 13- 20 to guide a whole class discussion about the heroes and heroines.
Evaluate
15 Minute(s)
Take a moment and review the definition and characteristics of a hero that students came up with during the Explore portion of the lesson. Display slide 21. Share the Exit Ticket question with students.
Ask them to write a paragraph using details from their definition and characteristics, as well as their research to answer the question, "Do these Greek heroes/heroines match what your definition of a hero is?"
Resources
ArtsyBee. (2017). Achilles' Heel. pixabay. https://pixabay.com/illustrations/achille-achille-s-heel-medieval-2165043/
K20 Center. (n.d.). Bell Ringers and Exit Tickets. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/125
K20 Center. (n.d.). Frayer model. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/126
K20 Center. (n.d.). Stand Up, Sit Down. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/1771?rev=11586
K20 Center. (n.d.). True for Who? Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/1586
YouTube. (2014). Hercules: Zero to Hero [Lyric Video]. Disney Sing Along. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOL-EJZjmp0&t=136s