Mini-Myths Project – Retelling the Tales
We will all be working together to help each other learn different Greco-Roman mythological
stories and legends. You have learned the major gods and goddesses in Latin 1, but now, we
are going to see them interacting amongst each other and mortals. These myths are a large
part of Western culture-they have influenced countless works of art, music, and literature.
OBJECTIVES: to produce a newspaper page of an accurate retelling of a Greco-Roman myth.
GOALS/ASSIGNMENTS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
As a reporter for the Roman Times Mirror, you have been selected to report on an
ancient tale from Greek and Roman times.
You will research your tale and then create a newspaper page with the pertinent
storylines, characters, locations, etc. involved in your tale.
Your ultimate goal will be to retell the tale to the rest of us using your newspaper
page as a visual aid. You MUST know the story and you may NOT simply read from
your visual aid!!
You will produce the following:
a. A retelling of the tale no more than 3 minutes in length to the class
b. A newspaper page that is colorful, creative, and accurate for your tale
c. Notes for the class – ½ of a page, typed, bullet-pointed notes that summarize
the major plots of the story. I will collect them and make copies for us all.
You may create your newspaper page on newsprint, poster board, or on a PowerPoint
presentation.
Class time will be given to do your research but some time at home will be required
to complete the project.
GRADING: TOTAL POINTS - 50
15 points – Retelling of the tale to the class (3 min. in length? Correct information? Clear,
concise, understandable? Did the student know the myth or read from the visual?)
10 points – Notes for the class (accurate, correct information? No less than ½ of a page?
Typed? Given to me on the DUE DATE specified in class PRIOR to the presentation?)
25 points – Newspaper page (Neat? Colorful? Accurate info? )
TOPICS – My topic is____________________________________________________________________
a. Theseus (Ariadne)
b. Perseus (Andromeda, Medusa)
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
Pyramus and Thisbe
Daedalus and Icarus
Daphne and Apollo
Orpheus and Eurydice
Pygmalion and his Statue
Echo and Narcissus
Atalanta and Hippomenes
Achilles
Jason, the Argonauts, and Medea
Odysseus – basic story only!
Hercules – labors quickly; focus on birth, wives, death (2)
SAMPLE NOTES FOR THE CLASS:
Baucis and Philemon
 Zeus and Hermes disguise themselves as humans and travel the earth, observing
human nature.
 They act as wanderers, and attempt to find food and shelter with humans, but are
turned away each time. In the Greek world, you were always supposed to feed and
house a wanderer for one night.
 Finally, they come to a poor home, where an elderly, impoverished couple, Baucis and
Philemon, live. They have little money, food, and shelter. However, they gladly
welcome the gods/men.
 They give the gods/men the best seat in the house, build the fire, wash their feet, and
serve them the best of their food- which is not much. They are old, so it is difficult
for them to serve, but they do.
 Miraculously, the small amount of wine they served never runs dry- the bowl keeps
refilling! The couple decides to honor their guest by killing their only animal, a
goose, for dinner.
 The gods/men reveal themselves to the couple. Zeus and Hermes take Baucis and
Philemon to a top of the hill, flood and destroy their neighbors (who refused to offer
shelter!), and build a massive temple, which the old couple will guard for the rest of
their days.
 The gods allow Baucis and Philemon to die together, and after their death, both
transform into intertwined trees (linden and oak) that remained at the temple.
DUE DATES:
NOTES FOR THE CLASS :_________________________________(due PRIOR to presentation date)
NEWSPAPER PAGE AND PRESENTATION: ___________________________________________