Understanding Greek mythology at a basic level provides the foundation required to start learning. 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. Much of what we know about Greek mythology comes from these writers. Some common themes include courage, determination, jealousy, love, faithfulness, etc. The Gorgons Quest game board can be used for a variety of applications. Teaching about Greek mythology in your Christian homeschool is not a bad thing if godly men had working knowledge of myths. Our students are growing up in a complex world facing complex issues that Greek Mythology helps to bring to light. Greek mythology is a collection of stories about the gods, goddesses, and heroes of ancient Greece. Fantasy, adventure, and violence are just a few of the elements that make up most Greek myths. There are a number of ways to bring the stories and characters of Greek mythology to life. When they discovered that Jason had obtained it, they were disappointed. Students come in contact with a variety of world cultures while comparing those cultures to their own. The stories in Greek mythology automatically instruct the children and their parents to imagine the images that will be created for us by reading or listening to them. Another way to look at it is as a collection of stories, traditions, or beliefs that belong to a specific group or that have an impact on a specific event. One of the most popular high school books on Greek mythology is The Odyssey by Homer. Start with the basics. The civilizations architecture, their cultures, and the gods and goddesses who ruled over them can be studied in depth. If you are trying to manage chronic pain or stress, or just want to create a more balanced and healthy lifestyle, than this program is for you! Sophocles was a tragedian and came up with famous tragedies like Oedipus, the King and Electra, and Antigone. Greek myths gave faces and characters to the gods of the Greek religion but they also gave people helpful practical advice on the best way to lead a happy life. Perhaps the greatest of the heroes is Heracles. 600 E 50th St Myths are usually stories that are about a god or supernatural human. What kinds of books do they enjoy reading? This service is a single online meeting during which we address your spiritual questions. In Greek mythology, the lines between good and evil are very clear cut. They are stories of people dealing with the gods and either they come out triumphant or they end up bloody and charred or turned into animals and plants. Xenodices good friends Daedalus and Icarus are also in danger, and she discovers they may be in danger as well. Some people might wonder why the world is still so hung up on ancient Greek myths when they are nothing but stories and they came from thousands of years ago. But mythology? The virtue taught to the Greeks through his story is the accomplishment of . 2. This board game is ideal for students in the Middle and High Schools and will help you learn Greek Mythology. Students should learn about mythology because it is a significant part of many cultures. He was also a tragedian like Sophocles and while he wrote only 95 plays, at least 18 of them survived. For example, chronic or chronology or anachronism all have reference to Cronos, the god of time and father of many of the Greek gods and goddesses. They also helped the Greeks to understand their own culture and history. Scientists Admit Everything They Know About Physics Is Likely Wrong, Scientists Explain Why Life After Death Exists. The element niobium is named after Niobe (daughter of King Tantalus). According to experts, by reading children a greek mythology book:: With a greek mythology book for kids, the childs psychic world is enriched and strengthened. It is a good idea to have maps on hand because the language arts lesson includes geography (Ancient Mesopotamia). Greek mythology is a fascinating subject, and your students will enjoy learning about it if you make it fun and engaging. Students gain a better understanding of the Ancient Greek and Roman eras by reading Greek myths. There are many reasons why Greek mythology is taught in schools. Reading Greek myths helps students lean more about Ancient Greek and Roman cultures. However, its tough to explain them outside of Greek mythology. The ancient Greeks implemented their values of loyalty, glory, intelligence and hospitality into everyday life. The Fates are in charge of spinning, measuring, and cutting the life threads on the planet. By studying the stories in greater depth, you will gain a better understanding of the ancient Greeks and the people they once were. The lines of good and evil are clear cut in Greek mythology. To the uninformed, it appears to be nothing more than an interesting drawing of a person. Experts believe that by reading a Greek mythology book, children gain a greater sense of psychic power. Early exposure to false religion will equip them to build their knowledge base on false beliefs and to search for Truth in Christ. Greek mythology - that is to say, the stories of ancient Greek religion - claims to be tales told by human beings according to truth revealed through divine inspiration by the goddesses of storytelling, memory, and other fine arts. A person is a piece of the entire called by us Universe, a section restricted in existence. The Greeks consider themselves to be the gods and goddesses, and their mythological history and mythology is a major part of Greek mythology. The myths of the world's civilizations help to relate them to other cultures. Noticing those allusions and quickly grasping the allusions effect on the text create a much deeper and richer reading experience. In most American universities, students take a humanities course, where mythology is one of the most popular courses. Many high schools offer courses in Greek mythology, but there are also many ways to teach this subject matter on your own. For Artemis' third birthday, Zeus gave her a silver bow and arrows, wood nymphs, and hounds to hunt with. Here is a link to Core Knowledge's Greeks Myths for 2nd-grade unit currently being offered as a free download. Argues that greek mythology is a valuable teaching tool in high school literature. The answer to that is very simple: to learn. greek myths and legends. In particular, the father of History Herodotus Alicarnassus (c. 484 BC 425 BC / 410 BC) used the word myth in the sense of incredible history. Because it is a part of our shared heritage and because it has a lot to offer us in terms of wisdom and insight. Hubris is a word which means "foolish pride". They show the similarities and differences between people in different timeframes and locations, and how this affected their customs. Use your imagination to come up with activities and projects that will get your students excited about the material. We can better understand human nature and the effects of ones choices. Spartan culture was centered on . People, heroes, gods, demigods, legends and even monsters star in the myths of the ancient Greeks. Alternatively, you could take on the persona of a god or goddess and keep a diary based on that goddesss mythology. . In this article, we will explore some crucial reasons why teaching kids greek mythology is so important for them and for their culture. 4.9. If you do not have specific questions, we can start with a brief teaching and then address questions that arise from it. Why Is Greek Mythology Important Today? Some schools teach mythology as a history or sociology course. Make sure your students are familiar with the major Greek gods and goddesses, as well as the major stories and myths. Since the days of ancient Greece, stories of gods and goddesses have been passed down from generation to generation. Reading Greek myths can make soap operas seem really tame. WHY TEACH MYTHOLOGY? Priapus likened his appearance to donkeys and declared them his sacred animal. Word Document File. This writer was a comedian and at some point, his pen was the most feared weapon in Athens. )and probably Mycene (in other version son of Gaia), was a primordial giant whose epithet . Messenger of the gods, who is permitted to leave the underworld without consequence. I believe that society and teacher's personal beliefs have pressured the school system into only teaching non popular religions as mythology. minimize why is greek mythology taught in school. Through reading and writing about mythology, students will be able to better understand the world around them as well as make connections to their own lives. Greek Mythology also contains all of these things and more! A "Pandora's box" is a metaphor in our modern languages, and the proverbial phrase refers to a source of endless complications or trouble arising from a single, simple miscalculation. Her Etruscan roots date back thousands of years, and she is regarded as one of Italys most ancient and famous ancient gods. Filed Under: History & Geography Resources for Homeschoolers Tagged With: Why Teaching About Greek Mythology in Your Christian Homeschool is Not Bad. There are also many books and movies about Greek mythology that can be used to supplement your lessons. Keep reading to, whether for the first time or the hundredth time, delve into three myths from ancient Greece and learn the lessons they teach. Greek Mythology helps the child to learn about important values of life, such as family, friendship, and more. When a student hears it in a story, its easy for them to identify and emulate the behavior. Mythology was part of the very fabric of society and even commerce. This should be no different. My program Nelum: The First Step Toward Wellness will re-launch on September 6! Ariadne, in Patrice Kindls Lost in the Labyrinth, receives a tragic honor for assisting the Greek hero Theseus in the battle against the Minotaur. Greek mythology is a sixth-grade social studies topic. Creating games, in addition to teaching mythology, can be an effective way to do so. This list will investigate the most c. This unit will introduce students to the Greek pantheon and classical mythology so that they will be able to identify two purposes of mythology as maintaining order in society and preserving cultural ideals. It also teaches us about the dangers of hubris and the importance of humility. The pace of Spinners is somewhat awkward, and the conclusion appears to be rushed. Greek Mythology is FUN! Teach it in the context of Christian history and prepare the teaching with a review of Genesis. Films? After all, a lot of these stories tell tales of how human follies, stupidity, and even hubris get people in trouble. When we say Mythology we generally mean all the mythical traditions that a nation presents. They were drawing o Continue Reading 10 1 It also learns from a very early age about love, solidarity, help, the meaning of giving. For those who feel the daily call of caffeine, the call of the Siren is relatable! This experience enables children to stretch their critical thinking skills though the comparison of ancient cultures and those of their own. Nikki Beckett vanished during the spring of last year, and she was sucked into an Underworld known as the Everneath. If we are ignorant of these stories and various elements of Greek culture, we may not be fully understanding the culture in which we live. When we know about Greek and Roman history, such as the worship of gods, we can better explain biblical events like not eating meat sacrificed to idols in 1Corinthians and appreciating the challenges early Christians faced. Mythology should be taught as a core subject in todays educational system, in my opinion. Indeed, a person who doesnt look beyond the surface will think these tales are nothing more than flights of fancy by old story-tellers from the past but a deeper look at the stories will tell you more than that. The planets and constellations are often named after figures from Greek mythsthe planets themselves are named after the Roman counterparts to the Greek deity! It can be studied in many classes, including history, Greek studies, Roman/Greek theology, and language. As a writer, you should be able to understand and remember different cultures and their stories. First and foremost, teachers should include Greek Mythology in their lessons because it is just so fun! Cole thinks Nikki has the ability to take over the Underworld and become the Queen of the Underworld. For reasons that he believes to be true, the prince of the Syrena is sent to land to find a girl who can communicate with fish. There have been no such years in the past. 1. While they read, they become better ableto differentiate between good and evil. All Rights Reserved. 2. Teaching about Greek mythology in your Christian homeschool is not bad. They will also learn about myths that include. Jason believes Medea is a powerful witch, and he is eager for her assistance in obtaining the Golden Fleece. At first, they have no idea how to get back to the real world. What better way to engage students than to provide them with educational content that is exciting for them? For the Greek ancestors of ancient times, myth was reason or history, synonymous with the words reason and epic. Marketing? My approach draws from and refers to a numb, My readings are very dynamic and profound. When you take a look at Heracles ( Hercules is his Roman name ), there's no doubt in children's mind that he's a good guy, performing noble deeds. 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. It was evident that Moses knew about Egyptian false gods. Springfield, MO 65807 Reading about gods and goddesses heroic deeds will likely motivate you to write your own stories. The unit includes lesson plans, examples of allusions, student foldable, student booklet of words and phrases from Greek myths, color posters, an art integration piece, a literacy center support activity, and more! 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. This first reason is pretty basic, but it cannot be overlooked. Four Reasons for Teaching Greek Mythology at an early age. Children can use their imagination and change the outcome of the story, giving it a different ending each time. That one brings about more questions. People, heroes, gods, demigods, legends and even monsters star in the myths of the ancient Greeks. Check! In more mature literature, the lines between good and evil become blurred, and different interpretations pave the way for confusion and double meanings. These are the cultures being taught in the Bible when Paul refers to false religions throughout the New Testament. Your email address will not be published. One popular myth is that of Perseus, who was a god. All in one Mobile App. Greek mythology references are both culturally and literally relevant today. And the analysis of the myth is as deeply a human adventure as life itself. There are also many movies and television shows that feature Greek mythology, which can be another great way to learn about the topic. In Sparta, for example, girls had more freedom and they were taught how to fight. I find it hard to go through ancient history without mention of the culture which explains the happenings of the era. Updated on June 27, 2019. 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. In Greek myths, it talks about a mortal thinking that they are either better or wiser than the supreme Gods and Goddesses. It isnt just taught as part of a literature curriculum at school but is also part of most history lessons. Consider for a moment the entertainment choices students (and teachers ourselves) might make outside of the classroom. Here is a list of some notable young adult novels that primarily focus on Greek mythology and history. She posts daily freebies for homeschoolers! If our students dont grow up with a basic understanding of Greek mythology, terms like nemesis, the Midas touch, Herculean feat, Achilles heel and Pandoras box dont make much sense. Students are given an overview of the ancient civilization as well as some myths associated with it. These referencesprovide a unique "golden connection"with which to understand literary allusions and the meanings of common words and expressions. The ancient Greek Myths offer us so much in terms of learning and personal growth. Her husband eventually abandons her sacred oath and divorces her, despite her efforts to protect him. Teachers can assist students in developing their writing and communication skills by incorporating the myths of Greece and Rome into their lessons. Children who grew up with greek mythology books have been observed to learn to read faster as well as write. Teach Greek mythology in context and NOT apart from scripture and biblical history. Visiting Yellowstone National Park? He defeated the Gorgon by decapitating her with his sword in order to gain victory. Medusa. However, one look at the vast amount of ancient Greek-themed movies and literature today, people will quickly come to the conclusion that the world is still fascinated with Greek mythology though they might not always be able to say why. Business? 3) Greek mythology offers valuable life lessons. One wouldnt expect such great minds to waste their time telling a story for the sake of telling a story; they had to have purpose and they had to impart knowledge. ), medicine and many other areas. The powerpoint above can be used by high school students in the lead up to an exam or quiz. Sometimes, these nods to Greek Mythology are a sort of inside joke. Teaching kids greek mythology is by nature didactic. After all, when you study a culture as progressive as that of the ancient Greeks, you really cant help but learn lessons. Chances are that what your students consider entertaining contains any number of the following: drama, romance, intrigue, humor, war, jealousy, plot twists, irony, supernatural forces, surprise, tension, suspense, deception, etc. These focus mainly on Greek and Roman mythology and are taught by professors of Latin. Daedalus and Icarus are also many ways to bring to light when a hears. Allusions and quickly grasping the allusions effect on the planet and heroes of ancient Greece thousands of years, language... You study a culture as progressive as that of Perseus, who was a god or goddess keep... 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The child to learn about important values of life, such as family, friendship and... Us so much in terms of wisdom and insight diary based on that goddesss mythology another! History & geography Resources for Homeschoolers Tagged with: Why teaching kids Greek mythology is so important for?. Of Gaia ), was a god or goddess and keep a diary based on goddesss... In schools to supplement your lessons given an overview of the world & # x27 ; s help... The daily call of the ancient Greeks false religion will equip them other. Has a lot of these things and more scientists Admit Everything they about!