It is critical that children understand Greek mythology in order to succeed in school. 3) Greek mythology offers valuable life lessons. The ancient Jews began the education of their children at the age of five to seven. What better way to do this than with myths from ancient Greece?! The big ideas embedded through this unit are: The classical Greek pantheon of gods reflects the overall outlook of its culture. Thats when the analysis begins, beyond the stories. The myths of the world's civilizations help to relate them to other cultures. The virtue taught to the Greeks through his story is the accomplishment of . Sports? Many lessons about human nature and morality can be found in the myths of Greece and Rome. In Greek mythology, the lines between good and evil are very clear cut. Monastic schools were institutions of learning that were developed during the early Middle Ages. The Crown of Zeus by Christine Norris and Psyche in a Dress by Francesca Lia Block are both written by Christine Norris. Get creative. You will find the conversations you will have with your children around Greek mythology will be intriguing and may draw them nearer to the Lord as they see how empty worship of other gods truly is. Myths have been passed down by world of mouth for decades, usually to explain an unexplainable event or often to tell a story of a Greek God. If there is one subject that is still widely taught today, it has to be the subject of ancient Greek mythology. Anyone who has ever gazed upon a star-studded sky at night haswhether knowingly or notbeen gazing upon the influence of Greek Mythology! Kids see Greek myths as creative fairy tales, which are full of important life lessons about family, friendship, love, etc. Travel suggestions and tips, new hot spots for your family to explore, and of course, a taste of Greece because we want your whole family to come to visit Greece SOON! greek myths and legends. 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. It is almost comical how these myths capture human behavior in the ancient times that are still alive and kicking today. More specifically, Greek mythology teaches through the examples of Greek myths, which are full of simple moral lessons that are applied in our daily lives. She has returned to her previous life, her family, and her boyfriend. What kinds of films and TV shows do they like to watch? Students will be given the opportunity to conduct research, design, and construct trading cards in honor of the Greek Pantheon. It was evident that Moses knew about Egyptian false gods. Copyright 2023, Homeschool Giveaways, a division of The Independent Easel, Inc. 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. They are supposed to be real stories, and myths are typically observed as true historical accounts. We also see the influence of Greek Mythology and ancient Greek culture show up in architecture, educational practices (questioning, Socratic seminars, etc. Other gods warned humanity to avoid potentially hazardous behavior. The classics departments at most American colleges and universities today carry the whiff of nostalgia and old chalk dust. Greek mythology is one of the most fascinating and complex aspects of ancient Greek culture. Others emphasize the literary importance and teach mythology as an English or Communication Arts course. Mythology, as an art form, allows us to gain a deeper understanding of our world, our literature, and our own beliefs. For young children, Greek mythology is a vital way to teach them about humanity, virtues and the lifelong dichotomy of 'good versus evil'. With the rise of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series and other modern allusions to Greek Mythology, students' interest in the ancient stories is higher than ever. 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. 5. These tales rarely have the happily-ever-after endings people are so used to these days but remember, they werent written for entertainmentthey were written with a higher purpose. It was possible for the Gorgon to transform people who looked at it into stone. WHY TEACH MYTHOLOGY? Greek Mythology is hands-down one of the most popular units that I have ever taught to my middle school students-second only to my Fun Poetry Unit. Girls in wealthier families might have been taught to read but, most stayed at home and learned how to do housework. Despite the fact that its an ancient text, its a straightforward read thats a great introduction to ancient Greek beliefs. Teaching about Greek mythology in your Christian homeschool is not a bad thing if godly men had working knowledge of myths. It is a great way to get students interested and motivated to think about myths through an intriguing and inventive medium. Joplin, MO 64804 The latest Core Spirit news, articles, and products, sent straight to your inbox. These stories were used to explain the natural world and the place of humans in it. Unconsciously, we travel with our minds to ancient Greece, we create with our imagination the image of the heroes we know in each myth and we direct as we want the scenes around which each story unfolds. The U.S. space program is named for Apollo. One popular myth is that of Perseus, who was a god. Nixa, MO 65714 Helen of Sparta possesses a steely determination and a sassy attitude. In mythology, gods and goddesses are largely considered supernatural beings. Other popular high school books on Greek mythology include The Iliad by Homer, The Argonautica by Apollonius of Rhodes, and The Myth of Theseus and the Minotaur by Plutarch. 2015 2023 Core Spirit. Unfortunately, the sense of awe that pervades Ancient Egypt has also produced countless myths. Furthermore, there are a few other reasons why mythology should be included in the school curriculum, which are less obvious. it ingeniously enforces fundamental morals of life, providing interpretations to unexplained phenomena, and stimulating the minds of students. Good and Bad Distinction. FREE Ancient History Resources, Unit Studies & Printables, Greek Mythology Resources and FREE Printables. 34.One of the ways in which we are made in God's image is our ability to create stories. Greek mythology is a sixth-grade social studies topic. It also learns from a very early age about love, solidarity, help, the meaning of giving. They also have a deeply rooted spiritual or religious connection. Reading Greek myths helps students lean more about Ancient Greek and Roman cultures. All of these have bewildered humanity since ancient times. Teaching kids greek mythology is by nature didactic. (WeAreTeachers Note: The myth of Perseus is one of the most commonly shared of the Greek myths. A parent can help his or her child explore the myths of the children through role-playing. Students will learn the definition of a myth: a fictional story once thought to be true that tried to explain the mysteries of nature and humankind. In this course, students will be introduced to mythology through the reading and writing of mythology books. Students will be able to learn about the various gods and goddesses that lived in Greece and Rome by reading. Iris Falls is named for Iris, the mythological Greek goddess of the rainbow. We see both virtue and vice among these stories that can help us consider what kind of people we want to be and how we want to show up in the world. Teach Greek mythology in context and NOT apart from scripture and biblical history. Greek Mythology helps the child to learn about important values of life, such as family, friendship, and more. Peter Pan, The Harry Potter Series, Frankenstein, Heart of Darkness, Jane Eyre and so many more works than I could ever possibly list have been influenced by and contain references to Greek Mythology. First and foremost, teachers should include Greek Mythology in their lessons because it is just so fun! Check! Mythology courses are also popular on the college level. The myth of Oedipus, which emphasizes the delusion hidden in the fact that one can become wiser without fully realizing it, reveals the fact that one can become wise without fully realizing it. WHY TEACH MYTHOLOGY? Kids read fiction books all the time and find them intriguing. Mythology can refer to folklore in any country. 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. Priapus likened his appearance to donkeys and declared them his sacred animal. Without an understanding of these cultures, its easy to dismiss false religion because its not easily understood. To start learning Greek mythology, one can find many resources online and in libraries. Many of the characters are, quite literally, larger than life, and they can be incredibly heroic, like when Prometheus gave fire to man despite the punishment that followed, or . In more mature literature, the lines between good and evil become blurred, and different interpretations pave the way for confusion and double meanings. This writer was a comedian and at some point, his pen was the most feared weapon in Athens. The myth of Oedipus, which discusses, among other things, the limits of knowledge and the trap of supposed knowledge and wisdom, underlines the delusion hidden by the feeling that one can become wiser without being able to see oneself. If you do not have specific questions, we can start with a brief teaching and then address questions that arise from it. Students will hear about Prometheus and Pandora, Demeter and Persephone, Arachne the Weaver, the Sphinx, and Hercules, among others. Yes, you can teach Greek mythology. The study of mythology reinforces that of ancient history encouraging new knowledge to become sticky and memorable. Sometimes, these nods to Greek Mythology are a sort of inside joke. As a writer, you should be able to understand and remember different cultures and their stories. Discover our blog full of ideas, insights about Greek destinations, reviews for kid friendly activities, hotels, beaches, museums and so much more! Commonly referred to as Hercules, his Roman name, Heracles performed 12 feats to make himself worthy of the gods. Jason was able to take down Medusa with a single cut to her head. Myths commonly take place in ancient times or before humans were on the planet. Scientists Admit Everything They Know About Physics Is Likely Wrong, Scientists Explain Why Life After Death Exists. 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