standard 4: "it's all greek to me"
performances: the teacher effectively uses multiple representations and explanations that capture key ideas in the disciplines, guide learners through learning progressions, and promote each lerner's achievement of content standards.
performances: the teacher stimulates learner reflection on prior content knowledge, links new concepts to familiar concepts, and makes connections to learner' experiences.
Essential knowledge: the teacher knows how to integrate culturally relevant content to build on learner's background knowledge.
Mythology is always a big hit with students. There's something inquisitive and mystical about the different gods and goddesses involved in the mythology that never ceases to keep students engaged and interested.
By building upon the prior knowledge of students about why mythology was created, the Greek culture and its impact to today's society, and finally the archetype of the "hero", students gained a thorough understanding of the purpose of mythology and the connections mythologies have on us today. Interestingly enough, many students did not think that there were Greek influences on today's society. However, when I presented them with the powerpoint lesson about how Greek influences society, they were shocked to have learned that so many of their interest in music, clothes, and even cars have Greek connections.
Students were asked to select pictures they found interesting from a group of photos and quickly do a 2 minute write about why they found it interesting. A second round was conducted. After completion, a class discussion followed to engage students in class collaboration. Once this was completed, I directed their attention to the Nike symbol and explained to them that the Nike symbol is one of the most recognized symbols in the world...and it happens to be a reference to a Greek goddess. I then showed them the picture of the "Winged Victory" a statue located in the Louvre Museum in Paris. I explained that the statue was the Greek goddess Nike of Sothrace and was the goddess of victory, competition, and championship. I also shared with them that the Nike Swoosh was the representation of the wings from the statue. THEY WERE SHOCKED!
“True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their
own.”
-Nikos Kazantakis
own.”
-Nikos Kazantakis