Exploring the world of Greek Mythology

Subject Area(s):

• World History
• K-12: Language Arts
• K-12: Technology

Grade Level(s):

• 5th-6th Grade

Description:

This lesson is designed for 6th grade students learning about ancient Greece. Each student will be assigned a Greek god or goddess, do research, and create a PowerPoint which they will present to their fellow classmates on "Greek day."

Goals & Objectives:

• Instructional Goals:
• Students will be exposed to the braoder history of Ancient Greece through the collaborative efforts of all 4 teachers.
• Students will be able to successfullly find the information they need through Web resources, the Groiler Database and books in the library.
• Students will become efficient and effective at researching and using the library for resources.
• 
  
• Students will become experts on their assigned Greek god/goddess.
• Students will effectively be able to relay what they have learned about their assigned god/goddess to their classmates and teachers on "Greek day."
• Students will give an oral presentation with the aid of PowerPoint and notes on what they have learned about their Greek god/goddess.

Learning objectives:

• Sixth grade students must use at least 4 different sources and media to find information (book, Internet, database and magazines, etc).
• Students will attain engouh relevant information, and write notes (in their own words).
• With the information students obtain they will compile a PowerPoint and present information however they want. 

Materials:

• Rubric of project
• Names of students and a hat
• Computer lab
• Library
• BuILder
• Worksheet: The 6 A's of evaluating web sites
• Worksheet: Suggested list of web sites
  

Procedures:

1. The 6th graders are brought to the library and are introduced to the topic.
2. Students pick names of Greek gods/goddess out of a hat.
3. The four teachers clearly explain what is expected of students in the time frame of one month.
4. Begin showing students websites they may access and books they may use.
5. (Day 2) Class broken into two groupls-firs tgrou will remain in the library with SMS and the second will go to the computer lab with the tehnology teacher.  (Students begin taking notes).
6. (Day 3) Asll students in computer lab are re-introduced to the database Groiler Online. Provide a mini lesson on how to use Groiler database.
7. Have students brainstorm on how to find reputable sources on the web.  Provide a mini-lesson on assessing reputable websites. 
   
8. (Day 4) Go over with students how to create PowerPoint.
9. (Day 5) One day left to work on the PowerPoint. 
   
10. (Day 6) Watch students teache one another about each Greek god and goddess.  

Assessment:

Each teacher will have about 7 or 8 students they will be in charge of. This means that students will have easy access to a teacher, ensures that students' questions and concerns will be addressed in a timely manner. The teachers will review the 6 A's of evaluating web sites worksheet to make sure students are using appropriate information. Finally, the students' oral presentation and PowerPoint will be graded (extra points awarded to students who dressed the part).

Supporting Files:

• Checklist for evaluating Web sites.doc
  
• Suggested list of web sites.doc
  

Standards:

National Information Literacy Standards (K-12)

Accesses information efficiently and effectively.

• Recognizes the need for information.

Evaluates information critically and competently.

• Determines accuracy, relevance and comprehensiveness.

Uses information accurately and creatively

• Organizes information for practical application.

Participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

• Collaborates with others, both in person and through technologies, to identify information problems and to seek their solutions.

Information Skills and Subskills (K-16)

Definition

• Identifies requirements of research task

Planning

• Identifies potential information sources

Collection

• Locates relevant information within selected sources

Organization

• Organizes final information for presentation

Presentation

• Presents results

Evaluation

• Evaluates end product