Greek Mythology and Literature Body Biography Project

Are your students disinterested and tired of the traditional ways of learning characterization? Have you been searching for a really fun Greek Mythology, student-centered, interactive way to eliminate their boredom? I present to you a wonderful student-collaboration activity that will get your students involved and excited for a Greek mythology analysis that you can use for The Odyssey, The Lightning Thief, Hercules, ancient history, Greek theater, Greek civilization, or for a fun mythology unit.

About the Greek Mythology Body Biography Project

This project is an excellent representation of how students can conduct analysis for Greek Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology your students are studying in class. We want our students to infer tangible traits and values from accurate details found in the text.

This task really engages your students to infer those traits and it allows them to show their knowledge. Your students will apply those traits as they create a body biography which includes details from the Greek God’s perspective. The project provides an opportunity for your student to explore together the supporting reasons for the traits they have chosen for their mythology inspired biography study’s poster.

I teach Greek Mythology as a fun tie in with The Odyssey and The Lightning Thief. I aligned this project with the high school ELA Common Core. You can, easily align it with the grades 4-8 standards just by applying your own grade level expectations for reading, writing, research, and a shorter deadline. I recommend the aligned Common Core Standards:

• Reading: Literature 11-12.1-6
• Reading: Informational Text 11-12.1-3
• Writing 11-12.1a-8
• Speaking & Listening 11-12.1a-1d
• Language 11-12.2b-5b

What’s the Objective?

The student objectives for the Greek Mythology Body Biography Project:

• Review what is supportive evidence.
• Define the literary term “character trait” and explore how to provide details that support their inferences.
• Use print and web resources to research one person (subject). Conduct research using internet reference resources to find accurate and descriptive word choice. I recommend these sites:
  • https://greece.mrdonn.org/myths.html
  • https://www.greekmythology.com/
• Fill out the Mythology Body Biography graphic organizer/poster
• Group work should promote:
  • Intellectual understanding, abilities, and skills.
  • Communication, cooperative and teamwork skills: Planning management, leadership and peer support.
  • Personal growth (increased self-esteem and self-confidence).

Remember the 4 C’s for 21st Century Learning

1. Communication: They are working together to problem solve. Students need to communicate their ideas and thoughts to one another in order to complete their body biography.

2.Collaboration: Students form roles within the group. They learn how to work together towards a common goal, not against each other. They learn how to bounce ideas off one another and to not shut down other students’ thought.

3.Critical Thinking: Encourage students to analyze, to organize, to evaluate and to implement strategies they have previously learned in order to complete their project.

4.Creativity: This allows students to think outside the box to come up with possible assets to embellish their projects. The ideas won’t just jump out at them- they will need to use a little creativity to depict their Greek Mythology body biography.

Teaching Tips For a Smooth Lesson

• Moving desks together or allowing students to work at a table works best for this activity. Due to the length of the poster (32 inches), your students will want to have a wider and longer space to work.
• Scissors for each group.
• Have markers, crayons, pencils and tape accessible and ready Displaying the Greek Mythology body biography posters are really exciting for the students to see around the classroom – so plan on where you will display them!
• Due to the length of the poster (32 inches), your students will want to have a wider and longer space to work.

The Categories

• Important Powers: The gods and goddesses of ancient Greece were supernatural beings who possessed great magical & mystical powers.
• Virtues: What are your character’s best qualities?
• Vices: What are your character’s worst qualities? This can be weaknesses and flaws.
• Passionate About: This should represent what this character loves most.
• Thoughts about inner-self /appear to others: Consider both how your character appears to others on the surface and what you know about the character’s inner-self (what the character really thinks about their own self).
• Tries to Control: What is an example of how your character tries to seek control.
• Symbols: What objects can you associate/relate with your character? Colors can also have a symbolic meaning.
• The rest of the body biography is straight forward in meaning.

How to Grade Your Student’s Final Greek Mythology Body Biographies

Using the provided rubric, it is simple to grade this group project. Each item on the grading rubric is given a specific amount of points. You can alter the points if you choose.

I hope your students find this project to be as engaging and educational as my students have. It truly is a fun project to watch and the end results are awesome. I would love to see pictures of your students engaged in the body biography project. I love when students are having fun while learning and collaborating. Tag me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Good luck!

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