Greek Mythology Vocabulary Lesson

Activity Overview

English words related to mythology often came from Roman names because the development of English was heavily influenced by Latin, the language of the Roman Empire. When the Romans conquered the Greeks, they assimilated the Greek gods into their own culture. Because of this, Roman versions of the Greek gods and goddesses are similar, but have different names. It's from these names that many familiar English words begin to appear.

Greek and Roman Names for the Olympians

Greek Name	Roman Name	Greek Name	Roman Name
Zeus	Jupiter/Jove	Hera	Juno
Hades	Pluto	Poseidon	Neptune
Demeter	Ceres	Hestia	Vesta
Hephaestus	Vulcan	Aphrodite	Venus
Apollo	Apollo	Artemis	Diana
Athena	Minerva	Ares	Mars
Hermes	Mercury	Dionysus	Bacchus
Hercules	Hercules	Persephone	Proserpina

Olympian Vocabulary Example

jovial
Herculean
mercurial
cereal
martial
volcano

Students will create a visual vocabulary board that shows the relationship between the god from the Greek myth and the English word.

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Create a storyboard for at least three vocabulary words that shows the relationship between the character from the myth and the English word.

Choose three vocabulary words and type them in the title boxes.
Find the definition in a print or online dictionary.
Use the dividing line in Scenes > Patterns to split cells into two parts.
On one side, show and depict the character from myth.
On the other side, illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary word.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-12

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Visual Vocabulary Boards

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme
[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/4] Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone)

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Rubric

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Visual Vocabulary Assignment

Define, illustrate, and give an example sentence for any five vocabulary words.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Example Sentences	Vocabulary words are used correctly in the example sentences in both meaning and context.	The meaning of the sentences can be understood, but the vocabulary words are used awkwardly or in the wrong context.	The vocabulary words are not used correctly in the example sentences.
Visualizations	The storyboard cells clearly illustrate the meaning of the vocabulary words.	The storyboard cells relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words, but are difficult to understand.	The storyboard cells do not clearly relate to the meaning of the vocabulary words.