Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Motif Presentation”

After reading the stories in Evslin’s collection, students demonstrate their understanding of a key motif by analyzing the motif, comparing and contrasting its use in Greek mythology with its use in another cultural context, and sharing this information in a presentation.

For this activity, you will choose a symbolic motif that recurs in at least three of the stories in Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths. Then, you will create a presentation that uses words and images effectively to

• Show where this motif occurs in Evslin’s book
• Explore evidence in the text about what messages the motif conveys
• Compare and contrast the meanings this motif seems to have in Greek mythology with the meanings it has in the traditional stories of another world culture
• Cite the sources of all borrowed images, language, and ideas

You may choose one of the following symbolic motifs—or any other that occurs in at least three stories:

• light and dark
• gold
• music
• monsters
• hunting
• dogs
• trees
• birds

In your presentation, be sure to name the stories in which your motif appears. As you listen to each presentation, track in your notes the most popular motifs and the stories in which they appear.