Teacher Guide

The Percy Jackson phenomenon is an opportunity to further students' interest in Greek mythology.  The materials included in this blog are meant both to inspire and engage young people to learn more about Greek Mythology, as well as to function as a curriculum support tool.  Our selection process for the annotated list considered the following: age appropriateness (sixth grade), appropriateness for the prescribed social studies and English assignments, currency of materials, professional book and resource reviews, diversity in different types of formats and tones, and our hope to find works that would be both fun and engaging for students. The annotated list also includes a variety of different types of resources to accommodate different learning styles.  There is nonfiction (varied reading levels including picture books), fiction (varied reading levels including graphic novels), websites, and DVDs.

The blog format creates an interactive experience in which students can easily visit websites or watch videos, as well as make comments about their favorite books or resources and engage in discussion by including their own ideas about Greek mythology.  In addition, there is an annotation page which clearly lists all resources included.

In the 'Teacher Resources,' there are suggestions for introducing the subject of 'Greek Mythology,' suggestions for read-a-loud books,  map and reference resources, interdisciplinary opportunities, and resources for lesson plan ideas.


 Resources to help introduce the topic of 'Greek Mythology':

• "Heroes: Which Mythological Figure Are You?" Quiz from the Walters Art Museum. (Website)
• Jim Henson'sThe Storyteller: Greek Myths DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• Gods and Goddesses DVD from the History Channel and A&E Home Video

Suggestions for read aloud books:

• The McElderry Book of Greek Myths by Eric A. Kimmel
• Persephone by Sally Pomme Clayton
• Mythological Monsters of Ancient Greece by Sara Fanelli

Special Features and Reference Resources:

• Genealogy:
• "Greek Mythology" section of Encyclopedia Mythica, edited by M.F. Lindemans (Website) 
• Zeus: King of the Gods by George O'Connor
• Maps:
• The Ancient Greeks: Their lives and Their World by Alexandra Villing
• “Hercules” from the Perseus Digital Library Project and Tufts University Digital Collection  (Website)
• Reference:
• D'Aularies' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d'Aulaire and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
• The McElderry Book of Greek Myths by Eric A. Kimmel
• "Greek Mythology" section of Encyclopedia Mythica, edited by M.F. Lindemans (Website) 
• Timeline:
• The Ancient Greeks: Their lives and Their World by Alexandra Villing

Special Topics and Interdisciplinary Opportunities:

• Ancient Greek Olympics:
• "Ancient Greeks" by BBC Primary History (Website)
• The First Olympics: Blood, Honor, and Glory DVD from the History Channel and A&E Home Video
• Archeology:
• Treasures from Greece by David and Patricia Armentrout
• Art, Life and Culture:
• "Ancient Arcade" from the National Gallery of Art (Website)
• "Ancient Greeks" by BBC Primary History (Website)
• Crafts: 
• "Winged Sandals" from the University of Melbourne's Centre for Classics and Archaeology (Website)
• Role of girls/women:
• We Goddesses: Athena, Aphrodite, Hera by Doris Orgel 
• Perseus Digital Library Project (Website)

Resources for lesson plan ideas are included in subsequent posts.