The gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece

A Webquest for 9^th Grade English

Judith Moriarity

jmoriarity@winchendonk12.org

Introduction

Why are the mountaintops devoid of vegetation? What causes the changes in weather? Why does the sun rise and set every day? The ancient Greeks looked around themselves and tried to understand the natural world. They believed Someone must be controlling all natural phenomena. Their observations culminated in a complex system of superhuman beings who determined and dictated all aspects of life. These were the gods and goddesses.

The Task

You will be researching a god or goddess in depth. You will compile background information in a variety of areas, determine the appropriate way to pay homage to this being, and present your findings to the class.

Your presentation should include all necessary categories from your assignment sheet, and should follow proper public speaking techniques.

You are encouraged to utilize public and school library materials, as well as online sources.

The Process

You will be assigned a god or goddess to research.

· First you will determine the type of god yours is: Olympian, Chthonian, Titan, or Free Spirit

· You will find its Roman name (if it has one)

· You will trace its parentage

· You will discuss its area of dominion

· You will point out objects/ animals/ beings sacred to it

· You will research the locations or kinds of places that your god/goddess prefers

· You will tell one important anecdote/ story about this being

Considering your research, you will now formulate the kind of temple in which your god/ goddess should be worshipped. Use your imagination and create the temple. It may be drawn on paper ( at least 11”x17”) or built of your choice of materials. It should contain items sacred to or typical of the deity.

Remember: This is an oral presentation to the class. These guidelines may be helpful:

· Inform the class of your research (note cards may be referred to but not read)

· Present your temple and explain why you constructed it as you did and included what you did.

· Be sure to use proper public speaking technique.

Some sites you may wish to explore for your research:

www.loggia.com/myth/gods

www.thinkquest.org/greek

www.theoi.com/ouranos

www.myhome.org/greek

www.mythweb.com

www.messagenet.com/myths/bios

www.ancienthistory.about.com

Evaluation

Beginning

Developing

Accomplished

Exemplary

Score

Research

Poor

Presentation reflects little or no effort into researching the subject.

Fair

Presentation reflects some effort in researching the subject.

Good

Presentation reflects an acceptable effort into researching the subject.

Excellent

Presentation reflects an outstanding effort into researching the subject.

Temple

Poor.

Temple shows little effort in construction and does not reflect research.

Fair.

Temple shows some effort in construction and somewhat reflects research.

Good.

Temple shows acceptable effort in construction and reflects research.

Excellent.

Temple shows outstanding effort in construction and reflects research well.

Oral Presentation

Poor.

Oral presentation reflects little attention to proper public speaking techniques.

Fair.

Oral presentation reflects some attention to proper public speaking techniques.

Good.

Oral presentation reflects acceptable attention to proper public speaking techniques.

Excellent.

Oral presentation reflects outstanding attention to proper public speaking techniques.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed your assignment and helped to enlighten your classmates on a very important personage in the Greek Pantheon of Gods/ Goddesses. Added to the information you receive from the rest of the class, you Should be well prepared to begin your study of The Odyssey by Homer.

Credits & References

www.mythweb.com/gods/index.html

Last updated on April 29, 2004. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page