Greek Gods

Greek Gods

a WebQuest connecting history, literature, and culture

by Erin Cleary

zeus_small.gif (33126 bytes) ZEUS

Who were the Greek gods and goddesses? They were the gods with superhuman qualities. The ancient Greek people worshipped these gods many many years ago. The gods lived on Olympus and drank nectar. They would go down to earth to help and sometimes hurt the humans. Zeus, their king, has become VERY old and tired. Apply for his job as king!

Your Mission:

Can you be king? Part of your mission is to complete a family tree of the Olympian gods and goddesses--so you know whom you will rule. Create your own god or goddess, place him or her on the class family tree and write a short myth about your new character. You will also pretend to be one god or goddess and will have to act according to that character while answering some questions.

Resources:

Power Point:

Story of the Greek Gods

Books:

The Greeks by S. Peach and A. Millard

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire

Internet:

For pictures of sculptures and paintings: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/6946/images/mythological.html

For Greek art and architecture: http://harpy.uccs.edu/greek

General Greek mythology information: http://alexandria.simplenet.com/myth/gods.html

Internet sites for teachers:

Ancient History: http://members.aol.com/donnandlee/index.html

Tips on teaching Greek Mythology: http://www.mythweb.com/teachers/tips/tips.html

Unit on Greek Mythology (with TEKS standards quoted): http://www.trinity.edu/departments/education/TCKC/2Myth98.htm

Remember that there are many more resources that you may find and use! If you are a student, let me look at new sites with you. This is a very short list of resources but it is a good starting place.

How to be king:

1. Begin your mission (you may work in pairs)

	Find out more about the gods and goddesses by reading the story on PowerPoint. Answer the questions about the story.
	Read the rest of the instructions so that you can do number 2 successfully.

2. Find out more information

Go to at least two of the sources listed above in the Resources area.

3. Complete the family tree of the Olympian gods and goddesses.

	Be sure to include 14 gods and goddesses.
	Use Resources to help you fill out the family tree.

4. Create your own god or goddess.

	Draw or paint a picture of your god or goddess.
	You will place your god or goddess on the class's family tree of gods and goddesses.
	Write a short myth about the god or goddess you created. Be sure to include whom the brother, sister, mom, or dad is so that you can put your god or goddess on to the family tree.

5. Choose one god or goddess that you want to know more about.

	Answer all of the following questions in blue.
	Answer at least one of the questions in the form of a skit, while pretending you are the god or goddess that you want to know more about. Your skit may retell a myth or portion of a myth also.

This skit and question or myth must be pre-approved by me.