[Title of Unit]
Greek Mythology
[Content Area/Course and Grade(s)]
Grade 7 ELA
[Summary of Unit]
This four week unit to incorporate Greek myths: origin stories, back story of gods & goddesses, and morals, lessons, and explanations of natural
phenomenon and vocabulary related to Greek names.
Stage 1 Desired Results
ESTABLISHED GOALS
G
RL.7. 1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support
analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as
inferences drawn from the text.
RL7.7.Compare and contrast a written story, drama, or
poem to its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version,
analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each
medium (e.g., lighting, sound, color, or camera focus and
angles in a film).
L7.4.
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown
and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on
grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from
a range of strategies.
a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a
sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or
function in a sentence) as a clue to the
meaning of a word or phrase.
b. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin
affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a
word (e.g., belligerent, bellicose, rebel).
c. Consult general and specialized reference
materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries,
thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the
pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify
its precise meaning or its part of speech.
d. Verify the preliminary determination of the
meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking
the inferred meaning in context or in a
dictionary).
Transfer
Students will be able to independently use their learning to…
*Read, comprehend, and analyze stories from Greek Mythology and make connections between
these classic stories and modern society.
T
Meaning
UNDERSTANDINGS
U ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Q
Q1: How does Greek Mythology shape/effect
Students will understand that…
U1:Terms found in Greek Mythology have provided our culture, vocabulary, and literature?
Q2: Are the plots, themes, and characters of
the foundation of our modern vocabulary and word
classical literature still relevant today?
usage.
(Choose two of the stories we have read thus far
U2: The plots, themes, and characters of classical
literature still resonate today because they illustrate and provide specific examples.)
human nature.
U3: Archetypes are symbols used in literature to
effectively communicate their ideas.
Acquisition
Students will know…
K Students will be skilled at…
S
*Characters (gods and goddesses) important  Indentifying and explaining the basic plots
in Greek Mythology.
and elements of several Greek myths.
*Key Vocabulary connected to Greek
 Identify and cite evidence that supports the
Mythology
theme of a text
Vocabulary: archetype, hero, minotaur, satyr,  Identifying the gods and goddesses and
centaur, chronology, tantalize, arachnid,
other important characters in the myths.
Orpheum, calliope, narcissistic, aphrodisiac,
 Comparing and Contrasting three types of
erotic, atlas, labyrinth, hydra, nectar, muse,
themes in Greek myths: stories about
panic, psyche,
heroes, stories about "how it came to be,"
Phrases: Midas touch, Pandora’s box,
Herculean, effort, mercurial disposition,
beware of Greeks bearing gifts, Trojan horse,
the face that launched a thousand ships
* Major themes from Greek Myth that
connect to today.
Breaking promises, downfall due to flaws,
Hero stories, creation/origin stories


and stories about the consequences of
unwise behavior - during small group and
whole class discussions.
Citing examples of contemporary use of
terms from Greek mythology in different
media.
Responding to high level questions that
required them to analyze and evaluate the
elements of artistic and literary works that
are based on or inspired by Greek myths.
Stage 2 - Evidence
Evaluative Criteria
Project must incorporate:
Full background/history of character
Thorough explanations of symbols,
strengths, flaws, friends, enemies
Complete explanation of related words and
products in today’s society
Presentation looks like a professional created
it and captivates the audience
Assessment Evidence
CURRICULUM EMBEDDED PERFOMANCE ASSESSMENT (PERFORMANCE TASKS)
PT
*Your Goal – Teach your classmates about your Greek character
Role – You are the teacher
Audience – Seventh grade students
Situation – You are a mini expert on Greek Mythology and have been asked to share
extensive information on one character of your choice.
Product Performance and Purpose You decide on the form your presentation will take. You
may use power point, video, poster board, journal, magazine, etc.
Standards and Criteria for Success - Include:
Greek and Roman names, Graphic of character, retelling of myth in 1st POV, personality trait
paragraph, symbols, strengths, flaws, family, residence, enemies, related products & words in
today’s culture
1. Quotes are relevant and responses
delve deeply
2. Vocabulary worksheet is completed
3. Summaries that Scenes depict
important scenes in the myths and
summaries include key elements of
story
4. Answers exhibit strong knowledge of
characters
OTHER EVIDENCE:
1. Double column notes on various myths
2.Picture and word worksheets that focus on vocabulary
3.Picture and summaries *Comprehension checks on various myths
4.Greek character quizzes
*Test on characters and vocabulary
Stage 3 – Learning Plan
Summary of Key Learning Events and Instruction
Use of multipleTexts:
Elements of Literature – various short stories
Heroes, Monsters and of Greek Mythology by Bernard Evslin
Plays:
“Pandora”
“The Legend of King Midas”
Various poems related to Greek characters
“Landscape with the Fall of Icarus” by William Carlos Williams
“Musee Des Beau Arts” By W. H. Auden
Artwork
“Fall of Icarus” painting by Pieter Brueghel
“Narcissus by Caravaggio
“The Myth of Arachne” by Diego Velazquez
OE
Lessons include reading background stories of gods and goddesses, origin stories and stories of heroes
Complete charts on characters with each new reading
Close reading of text
Read aloud of scripts
Group reenactments of various myths
Adapted from Understanding by Design 2.0 © 2011 Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe Used with Permission
July 2012