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This collection of twelve favorite Greek myths has much to teach and inspire us. .

As it says in the book’s introduction, the Greek myths have much to teach us, even during this technologically advanced time. They continue to inspire, challenge and assist us in navigating our world during a time when our world is ever-changing.

There are twelve myths shared in this volume. Some educators will choose to share just one myth with their students, while others might do an in-depth study of all of the Greek myths shared within this book. We believe you will find these retellings as authentic and inspirational as when you may have heard them for the first time.

We have provided discussion questions and responses for the twelve myths that appear in the collection. Enjoy using them with your students.

Discussion questions - encourage children to find examples from the myths to document their answers.

Prometheus • Why do you think Epimetheus overlooked the humans when he was distributing gifts from Zeus? • Why was the gift Prometheus shared with humans so powerful? • Zeus was furious with Prometheus – do you think the punishment he bestowed upon him was justified?

Pandora’s Box • Why was Pandora so special to Epimetheus and the gods? • How would you react if someone you loved and trusted told you that you could look at everything around your home except into one container? Could you promise not to look? • Was Pandora’s reason for opening the box a good one?

Persephone and Hades • Why did Aphrodite pierce Hades’ heart with an arrow? • Do you think she could have foreseen the complications of her action? • How was Persephone’s problem of pleasing both her husband and her mother solved? Was it really solved?

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Echo and Narcissus • Why and how did Hera, the queen of the gods, punish Echo? • How did this hurt Echo? How is she remembered today? • Did Narcissus deserve to be punished by Artemis? Did the “punishment fit the crime?”

Arachne • Why did Arachne react the way she did to the king’s words of praise? • Why did Athena quit weaving during the weaving contest? • How did Athena trick Arachne? • Do you think Arachne got what she deserved?

Pygmalion and Galatea • Many sculptors see or hear things in the stone they carve. What did Pygmalion hear? • Why was it so hard to part with the sculpture of Galatea? How do you think it was different from other sculptures Pygmalion carved out of stone? • What effect did Galatea have on Pygmalion? Could that happen in real life today? • The story has a happy ending. What other way could the myth end that would also be happy?

King Midas and the Golden Touch • “I love money. I want as much as I can get.” Who said this and why? • Do you know people like King Midas? • King Midas was to regret his wish. What do you think was his deepest regret? • “Be careful what you wish for.” Is this a good moral for this myth? Do you agree with it? • How does King Midas change? What might his wish be for the future?

Orpheus and Eurydice • There are many omens shared within the myths. Which one became a prediction of doom for Orpheus and Eurydice? • How did Orpheus challenge the death of his beloved Eurydice? • “We don’t ask....we take what we want,” the wild maidens said. Do you know any other characters or people who live by this motto? • Would you say this myth has a happy ending? Or describe it in another way?

Jason and the Golden Fleece • Why didn’t Jason become king as soon as he was old enough to rule Thessaly? • Who were the Argonauts? • Who was Medea and how did she help Jason? • Why wouldn’t Jason do as Medea instructed in order to save his father? • Medea wouldn’t agree to be Jason’s queen. Why?

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Daedalus and Icarus • Why did the king hold Daedalus and Icarus captive on the island instead of letting them visit their homeland of Greece? • Daedalus was an incredible inventor. Could his invention work today? • Why didn’t Icarus heed his father’s warnings? Was it just because he didn’t hear him?

Theseus and the Minotaur • Describe the Minotaur and its purpose in Minos’ kingdom. • Why did the king punish all of the people of Athens and what was the punishment? • Why did Ariadne decide to help Theseus? What help did she provide? • After their escape, why wouldn’t Theseus agree to marry Ariadne? • Who helped her get revenge and how?

Perseus and Medusa • How do you think it might feel to prove yourself as the son of Zeus, the ruler of the gods? Have you ever had to prove yourself in some way? • Describe Medusa’s power and how she hurt people at first, but in the end, helped Perseus? • Why was Andromeda sacrificed? Have your parents or loved ones ever had to make sacrifices for you? • Why did Perseus want to fight the dragon without using Medusa’s head? • What are five words that might describe Perseus?

Language Arts Letter writing Encourage children to write a letter to Zeus explaining why they should be considered for his replacement when he retires. Find ideas on this writing project, as well as other mythological ideas at the following website:http://www.mythweb.com/teachers/tips/tips.html

Create a classroom newspaper for the godsUsing information from the myths children have read, have them divide into groups to create articles for a newspaper the gods would read. For a few more details, look at the following sites:http://www.teachersnetwork.org/ntol/lessons/mythology/newpaper.htmhttp://www.mythweb.com/teachers/tips/media/Greek_mythology_projects.pdf

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King Midas and the Golden Touch – a playYour children can act out the part of the story or share a Reader’s Theatre presentation with the script shared at this website:http://www.hipark.austin.isd.tenet.edu/mythology/midasplay.html

Greek gods and goddesses, Heroes and Creatures Chart This chart will help your students keep track of the gods and goddesses in this collec-tion as well as additional ones:http://www.hipark.austin.isd.tenet.edu/mythology/gkgods_heroes.html

Learn the Greek alphabetLearn another alphabet – just for fun! Perhaps, some children may write some of their classroom newspaper articles using this alphabet:http://greece.mrdonn.org/alphabet.htmlhttp://www.teachingideas.co.uk/history/worksheets/greekws.htm

Social StudiesThe Olympics!Here are a few websites to consider tying your Greek myth unit together with the Olym-pics. After all, the first Olympics took place in Greece!http://en.beijing2008.cn/http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002099.shtmlhttp://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/lessonplans/theme/olympics01.htm

CookingTaste Greek foodAdd to the fun of any study of Greek myths, by tasting and preparing Greek foods. Visit a local Greek restaurant in your area, or for some great recipes try the ones at this site:http://www.geocities.com/sseagraves/greekopenhouse/greekrecipes.htm

Multiple disciplines:You will find a tremendous array of teaching ideas for responding to the Greek myths shared and others at the following websites:http://greece.mrdonn.org/index.htmlhttp://www.geocities.com/sseagraves/greekunit.htm