Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes that pop up in multiple Greek myths, and support their choices with details from the text.
Themes to Look For and Discuss
Transformation
Apollo chased after the nymph Daphne, but she did not love him. Artemis turned her into a tree so Apollo could not have her. Daphne became the laurel tree, whose leaves are still used today for Olympic crowns and represent victory.
Arachne boasted about her weaving abilities, saying she was greater than even Athena. After losing in a weaving contest to make a beautiful tapestry, Athena turned her into a spider. Spiders are great weavers of webs.
After being rejected by Narcissus, Echo prayed to the gods. Artemis caused Narcissus to fall in love with his own reflection and ignored all else. At his death by another spurned lover, Narcissus became a flower that turned down to water, always gazing at its own face.
Additional themes include
- Jealousy
- Boastfulness
- Anger/Retribution
- Temptation
- Natural Forces by Divine Will
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting important themes in Greek Mythology
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- Identify important themes.
- Describe how the theme is important to the story.
- Illustrate each example with appropriate images, scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified and described. | Some themes are correctly identified. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples of Theme(s) | All examples support the identified theme(s). | Most examples fit the identified theme(s). | Most examples do not fit the theme(s). |
| Illustrate Theme | Images clearly show connection with the theme(s). | Some images help to show the theme. | Images do not help in understanding the theme. |
Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs come alive when you use a storyboard. In this activity, students will identify themes that pop up in multiple Greek myths, and support their choices with details from the text.
Themes to Look For and Discuss
Transformation
Apollo chased after the nymph Daphne, but she did not love him. Artemis turned her into a tree so Apollo could not have her. Daphne became the laurel tree, whose leaves are still used today for Olympic crowns and represent victory.
Arachne boasted about her weaving abilities, saying she was greater than even Athena. After losing in a weaving contest to make a beautiful tapestry, Athena turned her into a spider. Spiders are great weavers of webs.
After being rejected by Narcissus, Echo prayed to the gods. Artemis caused Narcissus to fall in love with his own reflection and ignored all else. At his death by another spurned lover, Narcissus became a flower that turned down to water, always gazing at its own face.
Additional themes include
- Jealousy
- Boastfulness
- Anger/Retribution
- Temptation
- Natural Forces by Divine Will
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard depicting important themes in Greek Mythology
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- Identify important themes.
- Describe how the theme is important to the story.
- Illustrate each example with appropriate images, scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified and described. | Some themes are correctly identified. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples of Theme(s) | All examples support the identified theme(s). | Most examples fit the identified theme(s). | Most examples do not fit the theme(s). |
| Illustrate Theme | Images clearly show connection with the theme(s). | Some images help to show the theme. | Images do not help in understanding the theme. |
How Tos about Recurring Themes Across Explanation Myths
Organize a Greek myth theme gallery walk for deeper discussion
Set up a gallery walk where students display their storyboards around the classroom. This encourages students to interact with each other's work and sparks rich discussion about recurring themes.
Assign student groups to analyze common motifs across myths
Divide students into small groups and assign each a different motif (like transformation, jealousy, or temptation). Groups will search for and present examples from various myths, promoting collaboration and deeper understanding.
Facilitate peer feedback on theme selection and evidence
Guide students to give constructive feedback on each other's storyboard choices and supporting details. This helps students refine their analytical skills and learn from their peers.
Connect myth themes to modern stories for relevance
Encourage students to identify similar themes in modern books, movies, or news stories. This makes the lesson more engaging and helps students see the lasting impact of Greek myth themes.
Wrap up with a whole-class discussion on theme universality
Lead a closing discussion where students share insights about why certain themes recur in myths and stories across cultures. This builds critical thinking and connects classroom learning to the wider world.
Frequently Asked Questions about Recurring Themes Across Explanation Myths
What are common themes found in Greek mythology explanation myths?
Common themes in Greek mythology explanation myths include transformation, jealousy, boastfulness, anger or retribution, temptation, and the influence of natural forces by divine will. These themes help explain natural phenomena and human behavior through engaging stories.
How can students identify recurring themes in multiple Greek myths?
Students can identify recurring themes by reading several myths and looking for patterns such as repeated transformations, conflicts involving gods and mortals, or lessons about human flaws. Using a storyboard to visually organize these connections can make the process clearer and more engaging.
What is an easy classroom activity for teaching Greek myth themes?
An easy activity is to have students create a storyboard showing key themes from different Greek myths. Students pick examples, describe their importance, and illustrate scenes, helping them understand and remember recurring motifs.
Why is transformation a significant motif in Greek mythology?
Transformation is significant in Greek mythology because it symbolizes change, consequences, and lessons. Many myths, like those of Daphne, Arachne, and Narcissus, use transformation to show the results of human actions and divine intervention.
How do Greek myths explain natural phenomena through themes?
Greek myths often use recurring themes to explain natural phenomena, such as the origin of certain plants, animals, or weather. For example, the myth of Daphne turning into a laurel tree explains the laurel's cultural significance, while Narcissus becoming a flower offers a mythical origin for the plant.
More Storyboard That Activities
Greek Mythology: Explanation Stories
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