The Life and Labors
of Hercules
Sample Unit Plan for teaching Hercules and Greek Heroes
Objectives
- To teach students the traditional legend
of Hercules.
- To develop basic research skills.
- To develop individual and cooperative
learning skills.
|
NB: Because of the nature
of the experimental class, the following plan can easily be collapsed
into a shorter amount of time. |
Day 1:
What is a hero?
- 20th century ideas
- Heroes handout
- Comparison of ancient and modern heroes
Day 2:
Who are some Greek heroes?
- Theseus
- Perseus
- Jason
- Hercules
Day 3:
Housekeeping
- Assign work groups
- Assign bulletin board tasks
- Explain student tasks for the unit
Day 4:
Housekeeping
- Explain bulletin board layout/basic geography
of Mediterranean region
- Explain research required for student
reports
- Assign report topics (labors, archaeological
sites, biography)
Day 5:
Work day #1
- Group A to begin tracing letters
- Group B to draw map
- Groups C & D begin research
Day 6:
Work day #2
- Group A to continue title
- Groups B & D research
- Group C to draw map
Day 7:
Work day #3
- Groups A, B and C research
- Group D to draw map
Day 8:
Begin Class Presentations
- Delphi
- Nemean Lion
- Lernean Hydra
Day 9:
Continue Presentations
- Cerynean Stag
- Erymanthian Boar
- Augean Stables
Day 10:
Continue Presentations
- Stymphalian Birds
- Recap/review of Peloponnesian Labors (via
bulletin board)
- Cretan Bull
Day 11:
Continue Presentations
- Horses of Diomedes
- Girdle of Hippolyte
- Oxen of Geryon
Day 12:
Continue Presentations
- Golden Apples
- Cerberus
- Recap/review Mediterranean Labors (via
bulletin board)
Day 13:
Olympia and the Games
- Olympia Report
- Present information on the Temple of Zeus/Metopes
of the Labors
Day 14:
Slide presentation of Greece/sites/Metetopes
Day 15:
Review day
- Review all labors and geography
- Myth Trivia
Day 16:
Begin watching Disney's "Hercules"
- Assign groups
- Explain task of watching for variances
from the traditional legend
Day 17:
Continue Movie
Day 18:
Continue Movie
Day 19: Finish
Movie
Day 20:
Class reconvenes
- Collect variances from groups
- Distribute prices
- Wrap-up
