Wanted Greek Gods

The Greek Gods

A WebQuest investigating the gods of Mount Olympus

Adapted by Mrs. Held based on WebQuest created by Claire McHugh

Introduction

Task

Process (Steps 1-4)

Resources

Evaluation

Conclusion

Credits

INTRODUCTION

Books, movies, and TV shows often make reference to a Greek god or a Greek myth. No better example of this is The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. With the upcoming release of the movie The Lightning Thief, there is no better time to explore the world of the Greek gods, whose stories have existed since ancient times.

As we begin our webquest, we will be gathering information to help us search for the Olympian gods. We will get to know the gods by reading their stories and finding out what they represent.

Your first step will be to find out what your job will be by reading the task.

Back to Top

TASK

Your job will be to play the role of a detective and investigate the gods. Since there are so many gods from which to choose, we will focus on some of the most famous gods--the gods of Mount Olympus. After a general search you will narrow down your assignment by selecting one god from this group to focus your investigation upon. You will gather information about this god, then you will make a WANTED POSTER with specific facts that you have compiled in your search. Finally, you will report back to the class with a brief PRESENTATION about your god. Each student will select his or her own god to research, but you will work together in pairs to combine your information on your poster, and presentation.

Back to Top

PROCESS

There are five steps to the process of gathering information, forming groups, and working on your poster and presentation. You must do Steps One through Four to gather general information before proceeding to Step Five. As you progress you will need to jump from one step to another and from one set of directions to another. Use the task bars below to help you do this easily.

Go to:

Directions for:

Step One

You will start your research by working on your own, gathering information to help you decide which god or goddess is most interesting to you. The best way to learn about the gods is to explore some myths. Let’s start by finding out what a myth is. Click below to read about myths. When you finish, come back and continue with Step Two.

What is a myth?

Back to PROCESS

Step Two

Now that you understand the origin and purpose of myths, let’s learn about some of the gods—specifically the gods of Mount Olympus, also know as the Olympians. Click below for a list of the Olympian gods and some stories and information about them. Browse through the list, clicking on the various gods, and decide which gods are most interesting to you. Narrow your choices down to a few, then come back for Step Three.

Olympians

Greek Gods and Goddesses

The Olympians

Back to PROCESS

Step Three

Now that you’ve narrowed down your choices, see if you can find a myth or story that features your favorite Olympian gods. Click below for a variety of stories and myths. Check out the Myth Man site below. When you finish, come back for Step Four.

The Myth Man

Back to PROCESS

Step Four

You’ve learned a lot, and now it’s time to get busy on your project. On a slip of paper jot down your first, second, and third favorite gods. Also put down the names of a story or myths that feature the gods you chose. Submit this paper to your librarian, and she will decide on a partner. You may request a specific partner for consideration—no guarantees! Once you receive your assignment, you may begin the SEARCH for your god by following the directions below.

Back to PROCESS

Directions for WANTED POSTER

You will access Glogster to make your WANTED POSTER.

On your poster you will need the following information:

The name of the god (make it easy to see)
The Roman name and the Latin name of your god
A picture of the god (choose something appropriate for a poster)
A brief description of where the god is from and where the god can usually be found (in other words, where does the god spend his time in the myths?)
He or she is the god or goddess of…?
This god is famous for…?
Relatives? (parents, siblings, what god or gods did he or she marry, love, or desire…?)
Does this god have a weapon?
What are his/her "favorites"?
What other identifying characteristics or interesting facts have you discovered about your god?

Back to PROCESS

Directions for ORAL PRESENTATION

Your group will also be responsible for a short ORAL PRESENTATION that will briefly explain your poster to the class. During the oral presentation you and your partner will introduce your godsand tell a related to your myth. You and your partner will:

show the picture of his/her god on the poster
identify the god by name
state what he/she is the god/goddess of
pick one or two other interesting facts to tell about
briefly tell a myth involving the god on your poster

Back to Top

RESOURCES

All of the information you need is available by using the internet links below. You may also use books found in the Hamagrael library or the public library.

To find this information:

Click here:

This site provides a list of the Olympian gods and some myths about them.	Olympians
This site also provides a list of the Olympian gods and more info about them.	FOCUS on Olympians
Myths and lots of other stories can be found on this long page. Browse through and read several tales of the gods. You might want to refer to the Glossary of Common Terms at the bottom of this chart if some terms are unfamiliar.	Mythology Galore
A variety of pictures of the gods can be found at this site. Gods are listed alphabetically. Click on the god's name.	Encyclopedia Mythica/Image Gallery
Gods, myths, the Latin name for your god, and lots of other good stuff can be found here. Press on the HOMEWORK HELP buttons until you come to MAJOR OLYMPIANS. Click here for a variety of useful categories.	The Myth Man
Find the Roman name for your Greek god at this site.	Greek and Roman Names
Search or advance search anything. Enter topic in box.	Encyclopedia Search
Search Greek Mythology	Search Greek Mythology
Select category (CHARACTER or WORDS AND PHRASES), then choose alphabetical page by clicking letter at top.	Words, Phrases, and Character Glossary
Find what your god or god is the goddess of at this site.	The god or goddess of...
To find unfamiliar words or terms, check this glossary for a quick definition...or just browse it for general info.	Glossary of Common Terms

Back to Top

EVALUATION

Your project will be graded based on the rubric below. A perfect score would be 100 points.

Possible points Area being scored Your points

60	WANTED POSTER
	20 Accuracy of factual information	?
	20 Thoroughness of information	?
	20 Neatness, organization, and creativity	?


20	ORAL PRESENTATION	?

20	EFFORT & ABILITY TO WORK IN A COOPERATIVE GROUP	?

100	YOUR TOTAL SCORE OUT OF 100 POSSIBLE POINTS =	?

Back to Top

CONCLUSION

You and your classmates have now been introduced to the Olympian gods, who are some of the most well known gods of ancient Greece. You have become familiar with their names, their relationships to and with each other, and several of their stories and myths. You have been able to develop a greater understanding of how and why ancient civilizations used the gods and myths as a way to explain some aspects of nature that today we would be able to explain scientifically. As you enjoy reading the Percy Jackson series and watching the Lightning Thief movie, let us remember the role the gods have played in history.

Back to Top

CREDITS

The following websites are linked to this WebQuest in the RESOURCES section. They are provided for use by students to gather information:

________________________________________________________________________
What is a myth?

Available through: http://www.dl.ket.org

KET Distance Learning
copyright 2009
______________________________________________________________________
Olympians

Available through: http://www.greekmythology.com
Greek Mythology.com
copyright 2000
______________________________________________________________________
FOCUS on Olympians

Available through: http://www.focusmm.com
1996 Focus Multimedia
______________________________________________________________________
Mythology Galore
Glossary of Common Terms

Available through: http://www.librarythinkquest.org/
ThinkQuest Inc. 1995-2000
______________________________________________________________________
Encyclopedia Mythica/Image Gallery
Encyclopedia Search

Available through: http://www.pantheon.org/mythica
                              The Encyclopedia Mythica, An encyclopedia on mythology,
                               folklore & legend
                               copyright 1995-2000 M.F.Lindemans
______________________________________________________________________
The Myth Man

Available through: http://www.mythman.com/
Nick Pontikis
copyright 1995-2000 Thanasi's Olympus Greek Restaurant
______________________________________________________________________
Words, Phrases, and Character Glossary

Available through: http://www.oup-usa.org/
Classical Mythology
Osford University Press-U.S.A.
______________________________________________________________________

Images for this WebQuest were taken from:

_____________________________________________________________________________
The border at the top of page (under Zeus)
The background

Available through: http://www.allfree-clipart.com/
Absolutely Free Clipart
______________________________________________________________________
Zeus
Other god in red

Available through: Microsoft Word Clipart
______________________________________________________________________
Thank you to Claire McHugh for her original Wanted: Greek Gods WebQuest

Questions or comments may be sent by email to: Mrs.Held

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Back to Top

THE END
(Enjoy the Percy Jackson series and the upcoming Lightning Thief movie!)