During this unit of study, students first read about the Gods and Goddesses of Mount Olympus and looked at the family tree. Then, students read a variety of Greek Myths together including The Chariot of the Sun, Pandora’s Box, Persephone and the Seasons, and The Story of Arachne.
Students learned that the Greeks, who lived thousands of years ago, had wonderful stories to tell about gods, goddess, monsters, and heroes. They believed the gods and goddesses lived all around them, in the fields and woods, in the sea, under the ground and in great palaces among the towering peaks of Mount Olympus. These stories that they told, or myths, were created to explain natural events in the world like the setting of the sun and the changing of the seasons. They were about gods who controlled the elements of nature. The myths told tales about powerful Olympian gods, sea gods, woodland gods, sky gods, underwater gods, half-gods, human heroes, courageous or romantic adventures, betrayals, battles, wanderings, and so on.
After reading many myths, students in Grade 4 chose a god or goddess to study. They researched their chosen god or goddess, and read more myths about them.
Today, they presented themselves to all English classes, sharing the information they learned. We heard presentations from Madeleine who was Artemis, Judah who was Zeus, Matelo who was Hephaestus, Mia who was Aphrodite, and Lyla who was Athena.
Next week, students will write their own Greek Myth! Stay tuned!
