Excellence Through Classics (ETC): More than Just a Name Change
by Susan Senechal, Cape Henry Collegiate School, VA, and Kris Tracy, Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver
Enrichment
Older students frequently come to class having already read the thematic myth for the Myth Exam. At this point, instead of trying to create enrichment activities for these students, you can find complementary units of study ready for use right in the packet. These activities take students beyond the scope of the exam and encourage higher-level thinking skills while recognizing that students have different learning styles and strengths in different intelligences. There is an emphasis on comparative literature, cross-curricular activities, expository writing, and independent documented research. Each of the packets since 1996 includes a variety of such activities.
In the Heroes Packet, which will be revised and improved for re-release soon, there is a section on Primary Sources for the story of Hercules. Students doing research for term papers know the importance of consulting primary sources, and this section gives students a chance to see which details in different retelling of Hercules are extracted from which primary source. These sources are amazingly readable, and it’s exciting for students to see the Greek on the page facing the English translation. The two listed on this page are Apollodorus and Diodorus, both of which contain quite different versions of Hercules’ encounter with the Nemean lion. There are five other sources listed for students to access. Once students have figured out that retellings are just that, they can search for primary sources for other myths and they’ll discover some wonderful ancient authors.
Younger students who are ready for a challenge may be introduced to the idea of Primary Sources through the short descriptive paragraphs which have been gleaned for them. Open ended questions are provided along with the suggestion for a hands-on art activity that focuses only on their comprehension of the passages.
One of our goals is to encourage students to read widely in mythology. This activity requires students to consult books other than D’Aulaire’s for information. You can guide them toward a classical atlas and books that provide genealogy charts.
The Ancient Beginnings packet is also up for revision in the near future. One of the sections, however, that could be used for your advanced students is the excerpt from Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound. In a non-threatening way, students are exposed to ancient Greek drama. One activity that accompanies the excerpt stresses understanding of the short passage as the students familiarize themselves with the beautiful but convoluted language. The other activity involves the writing of an essay, a skill that always needs opportunities for reinforcement.
In the Underworld packet, there is an entire section devoted to enrichment and higher level thinking skills. Four visions of the underworld, ranging from the 8th Century BC to the 17th Century AD, are presented.
A journey into comparative literature is provided as the students read a passage printed from Dante’s Inferno and then must find a passage with the same mythological reference in the Aeneid. Students become most appreciative of the fact that the understanding of mythological references is invaluable when reading literature.
The simple identification of mythological references is required of students who might not yet be ready for comparative lit.
The Perseus packet contains a bibliography which offers students a chance for enrichment as they explore all the mythological monsters mentioned in D’Aulaire’s. For the exam, they would focus only on the monsters in the Theseus story and on the monsters mentioned in the first 62 pages.
All of the activities in the Monstrous Mini Unit are cross-curricular. There are activities pertaining to math, geography, science, poetry, vocabulary, art, and journalism. Monstrous Science utilizes knowledge of scientific classification.
The Monstrous Poetry appeals to students with both linguistic and spatial abilities.
The Transformations packet provided students with the retelling of thirteen transformation myths not required for the exam.
Synthesis of information from these myths is required for the activities that follow.
Enrichment activities that would appeal to a student’s musical intelligence appear in the form of songs that retell the myth. Students frequently begin to compose their own songs once they have been introduced to this idea.
You’ve already seen a number of activities from last year’s Theseus packet, but an annotated bibliography such as this one provides many possibilities including poetry, critical thinking, art, puzzles, and different versions of the same myth on many levels.
Annotated Bibliography and more...
Carle, Eric. Dragons, Dragons. New York: Philomel Books, 1991.
In this illustrated book of poetry, there is a poem entitled “Minotaur.” Other mythological creatures from classical mythology are also described poetically.
Connolly, Peter. Greek Legends: The Stories, The Evidence. New York: Barnes and Noble, 1994.
This book includes not only the story of Theseus but also a section entitled “Fact or Fiction?”
Evslin, Bernard. Monsters of Mythology: The Minotaur. New York: Chelsea House, 1987.
This book, illustrated in color, is dedicated to a description of the Minotaur, its history, and the myths associated with it.
Farrell, William. Characters in Mythology. Oxford, Ohio: American Classical League, 1991.
Each character is described in one page of text and shown in an illustration. The Minotaur is included.
Gibson, Michael. Gods, Men and Monsters from the Greek Myths. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1991.
This retelling of the myth includes Theseus’ adventures before he arrives in Athens, information on Daedalus, and Theseus’ life after becoming the king of Athens.
Johnson, Firdolf. Mythical Beasts Coloring Book. New York: Dover Publications, 1976.
This coloring book contains pictures of 30 mythical beasts including a drawing of Theseus doing battle with the Minotaur.
