Greek Mythology for lower elementary? Projects?

[SJ.]

We just started the Greek section of SOTW and I'd like to take some time to focus on Greek mythology with my boys. I would love to hear about any projects you have done or hope to do, blogs, lapbooks, resources, etc. Thanks!

[2_girls_mommy]

I didn't do any projects this year, but we read a lot of books. Well, we did do some of the projects in SOTW, I guess. We made a maze after reading about Theseus and the Minotaur. My dds love dressing a Barbie doll in a bear puppet to be the minotaur in the center of the maze and they unrolled the string in another male Barbie's hand as he went, etc. But mainly that is the only project I can think of this year. I will say the biggest book hit w/my dd8 has been the book, Classic Myths to Read Aloud. Short sweet retellings w/no pictures that she has me read again and again. She liked it so much I had to go buy our own copy so I wouldn't have to keep rechecking it.

[IrishMum]

One of our favourite books on the Greek myths was D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths. My younger boys spent weeks and weeks drawing and colouring their own versions of the beautiful illustrations. I know, doesn't sound very inspiring, but it really was.

[Erica in OR]

Along with the D'Aulaires' book mentioned by a pp (worth purchasing), we used book of Evan-Moor Literature Pockets on Greek & Romans Myths (http://www.amazon.com/Literature-Pockets-Greek-Roman-Grades/dp/1557998752) I found in a used bookstore. The kids had a lot of fun doing the little projects that went with each story. It says grades 4-6, but my two youngest at the time enjoyed it along with their older sibling (I think they were kindergarten and 3rd grade at the time).

 

Erica in OR

[pitterpatter]

We didn't really do any projects for Greek Mythology...just read and listened to a bunch of the myths.

 

Here's a link to the Ancient History portion of my blog. Just scroll down a bit to weeks 26-23 for several book suggestions. Also, there's a link to some nice, free coloring pages under others resources for Week 24.

 

http://bluehouseschool.blogspot.com/search/label/Ancient%20History

[Eagle]

When I was in elementary I built a 3D salt-dough model of the Parthenon. It is one of my few lasting memories from elementary. I loved learning about Ancient Greece, and I think that model was a big part of what sparked the interest. I was so proud of it.

[Walking-Iris]

http://www.poptropica.com/island-tour/mythology-island.html

 

I think playing Poptropica was more instrumental in anything I did for my ds being interested in greek mythology. LOL Imagine my surprise when I started talking about it and he knew quite a bit already.

 

We really like the D'Aulaire's book and also Mary Pope Osbourne's book. She uses Roman names, so that helped in making those connections. She also has The Iliad for kids which was a good intro to that story.

 

This game might be fun if you have lego lovers http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Minotaurus-3841

 

You might want to learn some Greek. Either formally or just the letters for fun. I left that lesson to my frat boy dh.

 

Read some Aesop fables, maybe try to write your own.

 

The only SOTW Ag project we did for Greeks was the Greek Gods and Goddesses family tree. :leaving:

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

I love the idea of making a homemade book from the D'Aulaire book by trying to make your own drawings. My son is obsessed with the audio book of D'Aulaire... got it because I kept stumbling over the names! Thanks for the idea. My son was excited when I mentioned it.

[MadsandLilysMom]

My girls love the greek myths. We really enjoyed the Percy Jackson books as a read aloud. They helped solidify the gods and goddesses in their minds. The D'Aulaire book was great and my girls both read the Goddess Girl and Zeus series by Joan Holub. The latter are rather twaddlish, but they enjoyed them for their free reading. We also enjoyed Mary Pope Osborne's Oddessy series and the Barefoot book retellings.

 

I am putting together a greek history camp for my girls and their cousins this summer. I am using this book from scholastic as our spine:

 

http://teacherexpress.scholastic.com/subject/social-studies/world-history/greek-mythology-activities-mkt9813

 

It was included in the last sale and it is well worth the $5 I paid. The download includes a minibook with the main Gods and Goddess. I made a passport from the mini book and they kids will get a "stamp" for each god and goddess we study. We are also making Apollo's chariot out of empty oatmeal canisters and ribbon spools for wheels, making togas, putting on a play, eating ambrosia and a few other hands on activities to go along with the stories.

 

Zeus on the Loose and the Lego Minotaurus were fun additions to our game closet. We also watched the Clash of the Titans (1980s version) and Clash of the Gods History Channel documentary. You may want to preview them because both have some things that may not be right for your family.