Students have embarked on a journey of ancient Greece that will span all of their academic classes. Artist-in-residence Nick Kachulis, a local Greek scholar, educator, and musician, will be storytelling select myths in ELA classes, leading lessons in Social Studies, math, and science, and mentoring students in their research and projects. Our journey will end in early March with a showcase of student work for families to attend.
This past week, students heard the story of "Theseus and the Minotaur", a myth focused on a mortal hero's journey, as well as "Demeter and Persephone", a myth peopled by gods and goddesses that is often viewed as the ancients' explanation for the seasons as we know them.
In addition to listening to and discussing stories that Mr. Kachulis tells, students are reading Heroes, Gods, and Monsters of Greek Mythology and recording characters on a chart. In class we are engaging the concept of myths as reflecting values of the ancient Greek culture, as well as modern-day connections to how these fantastical characters and their adventures show us what it means to be human. Through the stories, students are immersed in highly visual, descriptive language which we are identifying and appreciating as valuable in their personal experiences of reading and writing. Finally, we are looking at Greek root words as a basis of our English language.
Homework 1-6-17: Read/chart pgs. 3-21: due Monday.
