why is greek mythology taught in school

The names of planets and constellations are named after Greek myths. Anyone can pick up a book of Greek myths. Sometimes, these nods to Greek Mythology are a sort of inside joke. mythologies were considered figments of the collective mind of those people who were attempting to explain the world mechanisms that inspired their imagination in the first place. Use a variety of resources. These myths should not be overlooked, and even a basic understanding of them will suffice. Four Reasons for Teaching Greek Mythology at an early age. In Greek myths, it talks about a mortal thinking that they are either better or wiser than the supreme Gods and Goddesses. The Legacy Of The Palace School Of Charlemagne, The Best Places In The World to Seek Practical Education, 4 Ways Teachers Can Improve Their Performance in the Classroom, The Unique And Rewarding Experience Of Teaching At A Christian School, What To Do Before The School Year Starts Teacher, How To Teach High School Genetics: A Guide. This first reason is pretty basic, but it cannot be overlooked. Greek mythology Created thousands of years ago, Greek myths were epic stories about Greek gods, passed down over generations. Educating students about mythology can provide them with a variety of advantages, and these are not overstated. A lack of knowledge of these myths would leave readers completely clueless as to what the author was saying! Additionally, it can provide them with a greater appreciation for the richness of the culture and history of Greece. When mythology is taught in schools within the United States it specifically includes only the myths, legends, and stories of now dead religions. By exposing all students to this powerful and enduring form of narrative, you will be able to give all students the opportunity to participate. Mythology was part of the very fabric of society and even commerce. For example, Gods first Egyptian plague was turning water to blood. These stories were first written down in the 8th century BCE by Homer in the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey. Mythology gives children a basis for thinking. The United States has shaped culture and tradition, established political systems, and encouraged problem-solving throughout history. Minerva was most likely derived from Athena, the Greek mythological figure. FREE Ancient History Resources, Unit Studies & Printables, Greek Mythology Resources and FREE Printables. Education in Ancient Greece. Find out the where to go and what to do in Greece with the family. In particular, the father of History Herodotus Alicarnassus (c. 484 BC 425 BC / 410 BC) used the word myth in the sense of incredible history. Monsters, gods and heroes are just a part of the myth that all the world heard for decades. Greek myths for kids that contain historical truths are allegorical narratives or stories that deal with people, situations, and behavior. These books offer students a chance to learn about the ancient Greek gods and goddesses, as well as the heroic myths and legends that were popular in Greek culture. Human Anatomy Freebies & Instant Downloads, FREE Weather and Natural Disasters Resources, The Mystery of History Planning & Portfolio Pages, Holiday and Seasonal Writing Prompts for Kids, Free Study Guide and Notetaking Templates, History & Geography Resources for Homeschoolers, Why Teaching About Greek Mythology in Your Christian Homeschool is Not Bad. Students take these moral lessons into account in their daily lives as they hear them discussed through stories. (WeAreTeachers Note: The myth of Perseus is one of the most commonly shared of the Greek myths. Monsters are monsters and heroes are heroes. The values and ideals found in these myths can have a significant impact on the formation and education of young people because of the moral principles projected in conjunction with those powerful symbols. There is, however, one thing I do advise you do before teaching Greek mythology. Throughout each of these playful chapter books, readers will learn about a goddess girl as she deals with the challenges of school, friendship, and growing up. A parent can help his or her child explore the myths of the children through role-playing. Springfield, MO 65807 Hera drove Hercules to madness and set out on a mission to redeem himself by completing 12 labours. The high values and ideals contained in these myths, the moral principles that are projected in conjunction with those great symbolisms of the myths that need further analysis, have a beneficial effect on the formation and education of young people, contributing to the manifestation of present and future behavior in the future. They were drawing o Continue Reading 10 1 It is more than 2000 years since the time of the Ancient Greeks, but Greek Mythology continues to have an influence on how we live today in western society. However, one look at the vast amount of ancient Greek-themed movies and literature today, people will quickly come to the conclusion that the world is still fascinated with Greek mythology though they might not always be able to say why. Make sure your students are familiar with the major Greek gods and goddesses, as well as the major stories and myths. Annotate if appropriate. Now that I am a Christian, I often wondered if teaching about Greek mythology in my Christian homeschool was wrong. Why do you think that teaching and studying Greek Mythologyparticularly in our classroomsis a good (or bad) idea? Ancient history is also taught by mythology, which examines the impact of ancient times on contemporary history. Famous researcher Jacques Cousteau named his vessel Calypso, thought to be the daughter of the Titan Atlas. They are supposed to be real stories, and myths are typically observed as true historical accounts. Marketing? Sparta was a warrior society in ancient Greece that reached the height of its power after defeating rival city-state Athens in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.). Whichever route you choose, you are sure to find the stories of Greek mythology fascinating and enlightening. People, heroes, gods, demigods, legends and even monsters star in the myths of the ancient Greeks. Even the word phobia itself refers to Phobos, the Greek god of fear! Their group creates and publishes a childrens book about the myths of their specific ancient civilization. We can literally find traces of Greek Mythology all over our own modern world. What kinds of books do they enjoy reading? There are heroes that do well and sacrifice themselves for the . The teachings and doings of ancient Greeks have remained important lessons that many societies still use. He is known for his popular dialogues including the Republic, Phaedo, Symposium, Phaedrus, Timaeus, and Philebus. 9. Children are very sensitive and there is no better tool to help them grow a defensive mechanism in order to manage a possible loss or other difficult situations than a greek mythology book. The most important thing is to make sure that your students are engaged and excited about the material. In addition to literature, myths have been represented in other forms of art as well. The next few years may tell us whether well be able to continue to increa, Everybody sits in the jail of his own thoughts. Films? Mythology can be used to explore a wide range of topics and ideas. By examining these stories, however, we can see common mistakes and human pitfalls and choose a more morally straight path. Also, these tales tell people of heroes and how true greatness was achieved by those who dared while at the same breath, showing the flaws of these heroes. In most American universities, students take a humanities course, where mythology is one of the most popular courses. MIleff, Geri. Additionally, mythology can teach students about important universal truths, such as the dangers of hubris. Many of the characters and figures in Greek Mythology are actually quite the opposite of a role model, exhibiting many undesirable characteristics. Of his 123 plays, only 7 survived intact. and Completely Fascinating. Unfortunately, the sense of awe that pervades Ancient Egypt has also produced countless myths. Instead, it becomes history when it is connected to both the present and the future. The final book of another Greek classic, "The Odyssey," brings together a father and son as well. Girls in wealthier families might have been taught to read but, most stayed at home and learned how to do housework. The myth is simply not a fairy tale. Scripture Learned at an Early Age. We just need to know what to look for! And the list goes on and on! Students will be introduced to great literature while also learning important values as a result of teaching Greek mythology. Kids read fiction books all the time and find them intriguing. There is, however, a slight difference that I cant shake. The myth of Oedipus, which emphasizes the delusion hidden in the fact that one can become wiser without fully realizing it, reveals the fact that one can become wise without fully realizing it. One of the lessons that children learn from greek mythology is that you can achieve everything with a lot of effort and of course with your mind and way of thinking, which often proves to be the most valuable tools of the heroes, even against the gods. Greek Mythology Inoculates Against False Religion 4. One popular myth is that of Perseus, who was a god. Greek mythology - that is to say, the stories of ancient Greek religion - claims to be tales told by human beings according to truth revealed through divine inspiration by the goddesses of storytelling, memory, and other fine arts. Children who grew up with greek mythology books have been observed to learn to read faster as well as write. Reading Greek myths helps students lean more about Ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Furthermore, the ability to engage students in creative activities while teaching mythology in the classroom is an added bonus. These focus mainly on Greek and Roman mythology and are taught by professors of Latin. It has been said that simply by studying or even just reading some of these myths, people can learn how to control their actions or at least think better of what they do. If your family plans to follow ancient history from the Old Testament through Western Civilization in sequence, which makes good sense, you will find that you will be faced with decisions to make about what to teach and why. Has Hades taken over the universe? Answers: 1 Show answers Another question on English. Anyone who has ever picked up a book on Greek myths or seen a movie inspired by one can attest to its action-packed nature. 4) Greek mythology is full of symbolism. Students who are new to ESL practice reading and responding to fictional texts using this product. Greek Mythology is FUN! For reasons that he believes to be true, the prince of the Syrena is sent to land to find a girl who can communicate with fish. There are many reasons why some people choose to learn Greek mythology. Megans new school has no one to talk to, so she has to rely on the staff to find her a mentor. Students will be introduced to Greek Polytheism, the major character in many Greek myths, as well as some basic myths. Greek Mythology is hands-down one of the most popular units that I have ever taught to my middle school students-second only to my Fun Poetry Unit. In fact, it is historically accurate to teach about cultural and false religions surrounding Christianity through time. Students will be given the opportunity to conduct research, design, and construct trading cards in honor of the Greek Pantheon. Many famous writers and artists have been inspired by Greek mythology, including Shakespeare, Dante, and Michelangelo. Jeannette is bi-lingual and currently lives in the Tongan Islands of the South Pacific. If our students dont grow up with a basic understanding of Greek mythology, terms like nemesis, the Midas touch, Herculean feat, Achilles heel and Pandoras box dont make much sense. During all my sessions I connect with as many sources of information as I can to give you a more complete reading. It was evident that Moses knew about Egyptian false gods. Any modern person who reads or hears of Greek myths will be hard-pressed to stay unaffected. Greek Mythology helps us understand additional works of literature. Another purpose of myths was to re-tell historical events so that people could maintain contact with their ancestors, the wars they fought, and the places they explored. The present is a continuation of the past because it is not the past itself. For one, it can help students understand the origins of some of the worlds most famous stories and characters. She has been mightily, saved by grace and is grateful for Gods sovereignty throughout her lifes journey. In fact, they might even still be relevant a hundred years from now. Take, for example, the recognizable Starbucks logo. Today, we have finally achieved the times when there is proof from both the physics and parapsychology sciences that when we die, it is not completely over. Explore the impact of legendary Greek literature, and the effects of theater on modern . In order for a student to achieve this, the existence of historical thought and historical consciousness is required and these virtues are only obtained from greek god books. Without an understanding of these cultures, its easy to dismiss false religion because its not easily understood. The ancient Olympics were more than an athletic competitionthey were a religious festival celebrating the king of the gods, Zeus. This essay will explain about why Greek mythology is still relevant today and why we still use it. Its an honest question. Iris Falls is named for Iris, the mythological Greek goddess of the rainbow. a. because greek mythology was taught at his school b. because he wanted to read homer's lliad c. because he wanted to learn a new language d. because greek was taught at his school. To accomplish this, a student must have historical thought and historical consciousness. Nikki Beckett vanished during the spring of last year, and she was sucked into an Underworld known as the Everneath. Is Greek mythology taught in high school? This was not the same everywhere, though. Even if you are confused and not sure if Hera was the protector of the marriage and Estia the protector of the family, you can confirm it at that time without the children knowing! It is a good idea to have maps on hand because the language arts lesson includes geography (Ancient Mesopotamia). 2015 2023 Core Spirit. It wasnt until you got into high school that you discovered Greek mythology, and the teacher would explain it to you. In these myths, they all have a meaning about life. In fact, each of the plagues in Egypt could be understood more wholly when talking about deities that were worshiped there. On the surface, they may seem like . Begin your Greek mythology unit with reviewing Genesis and what God says about man-made religion in the book of Romans. 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