During the 8th Century, the Ancient Greek, author, Homer wrote the epic poem called The Odyssey. This poem is a crucial part of Ancient literature. Introducing The Odyssey to your students can be really hard, but I have a variety of ways to make lessons fun, interactive and collaborative! Not only do your students learn about this epic poem, but they also get to explore Greek Mythology, along with famous gods and goddesses like Zeus, Apollo, Poseidon, Hades, and Aphrodite!
If Your Students Love Collaboration…
The Odyssey Body Biography Bundle is filled with all you need to teach and promote the amazing characters from the timeless hero’s journey and epic poem. Your students will find plenty of opportunities for creativity. Teachers and students will experience the unique approach of using a collaborative poster, The Odyssey, textual evidence, research, and the body biography project.
The project bundle includes
- 6 characters:
- Odysseus, Penelope, Telemachus, Anticlea, Calypso, and Athena. These posters give your students a relevant and modern experience while promoting the 4 C’s and achievement. I adapted the body biography concept to align with citing textual evidence, character traits, research, and inference skills.
- Greek Mythology Body Biography Project:
- Another student favorite! Each poster is the body of a famous Greek god or goddess. With this project, students work together to create a ‘body biography’ of each individual god. This project contains writing reflection questions and a rubric. There are 22 choices for your students to choose from including Medusa and Cyclops for added fun!
- Greek Mythology Collaborative Poster and Writing Activity:
- Get your students to work together while learning about Greek Mythology with this beautiful collaborative poster and writing activity! Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades are the main gods in this poster. Your students will love this one!
For Teachers Who Love Interactive Notebooks…
Interaction, color, and critical thinking are all great ways to draw students in while giving them exactly what they need to gain a deeper understanding. This is what these interactive activities.
- The Odyssey Study Guide Flip Book:
- This interactive flipbook contains a variety of tools your students can use as they read the poem and begin to study for a final test. It includes:
- a character map
- a study guide
- a visual of the Hero’s Journal
- a map of Odysseus’ voyage
- a Greek Mythology chart.
- This is everything your students need to help them fully comprehend The Odyssey!
- This interactive flipbook contains a variety of tools your students can use as they read the poem and begin to study for a final test. It includes:
- Greek Mythology Interactive Fan: Each arm of this interactive fan contains the name of a famous Greek god or goddess for your students to describe and color.
- The Odyssey Interactive Character Wheel: This tool helps students with the characterization of the gods in The Odyssey. There are several gods included int his package such as: Odysseus, Penelope, Cyclops, Poseidon, Telemachus, Calypso, Athena, Anticlea, and Aeolus.
- The Odyssey Characterization Flip Book:
- Similar to the Character Wheel, this mini flip book helps students understand the different gods and goddesses in the poem. The best part is this flip book asks your students about a variety of different aspects such as:
- traits
- actions, dialogue
- feelings.
- These are all easy to fill in while your students flip their way through the text.
- Similar to the Character Wheel, this mini flip book helps students understand the different gods and goddesses in the poem. The best part is this flip book asks your students about a variety of different aspects such as:
Get Your Students On Their Feet
Sometimes the best way to get ideas to “sink in” is to get up and move around. Using physical movement can help students remember big ideas and fun projects you do.
- The Odyssey, Hero’s Journal Gallery Walk Collaborative Poster:
- Gallery walks are an awesome way to showcase your students’ creations around the classroom. This collaborative poster will show the students’ understanding and knowledge from the poem. Included is also a rubric for easy grading.
Eye Catching Bulletin Boards and Displays
Another way to capture your student’s attention is to use colorful, interactive bulletin boards and displays throughout your classroom and in the hallways.
- Greek Mythology Pennant and Banner:
- This classroom activity will provide a great visual for your students as they learn about Greek Mythology. Each pennant contains the name of a famous God or Goddess for your students to describe and color.
- The Odyssey and Greek Mythology Character Pages:
- These character pages can be used for guided practice, an abbreviated assignment, read aloud, pair work, and mini-lessons. The gods and goddesses included are Odysseus, Penelope, Cyclops, Poseidon, Telemachus, Calypso, Athena, Anticlea, and Aeolus.
Using any of these assignments will help increase your students’ readiness to learn and get them excited to continue their unit on The Odyssey and Greek Mythology. Each project is interactive, collaborative and a fun way for students to study!
