Parodies, satires, and modern day adaptation are rich with literary elements. They are valuable assets for teaching students about literature. Through creative writing, students learn to use literary elements in context, committing them to memory.
During a unit on Greek mythology, you can have students create their own Greek god. They can turn themselves, someone they know, or even a celebrity into a god. Students will create storyboards depicting their new god. For this assignment, have students go over the elements of a Greek god to create their own.
There's also a poster version of this assignment if you want to give students options!.
Elements of a Greek god:
What do they rule? What do they have power and influence over. For example, Apollo is the god of the sun, poetry, and healing.
What is their power item? Examples: Zeus’s lightning bolts, Poseidon's trident, Athena’s spear.
What natural occurrence do they control? For example, Aeolus controls the winds, and Demeter, the seasons.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create your own Greek god! Write a story involving this new Greek god, keeping in mind the typical character traits and themes you have read about in Greek mythology.
Engage your students by organizing a gallery walk where everyone displays their created Greek god projects around the classroom. This interactive showcase encourages students to observe and appreciate each other's work, sparking discussion and deeper understanding.
Set up desks or wall space so each student has a spot to display their Greek god storyboard or poster. This visible arrangement helps classmates see all creations and makes movement around the room simple.
Let students know they will quietly circulate to view each project, taking notes on their favorites or on similarities and differences among the gods. Assign roles such as presenter (the creator) and reviewer (the classmates) to keep everyone engaged.
Hand out a simple worksheet with prompts like, "What domain is unique?" or "Which symbol stands out?" This scaffolded support helps students focus on key elements and encourages thoughtful feedback.
After the gallery walk, gather the class and prompt a conversation about the most creative ideas, recurring themes, and what they learned about Greek mythology through their peers' work. This shared reflection reinforces concepts and builds community.
To create a Greek god activity, have students invent their own god by choosing a domain, symbol, and powers. Encourage them to write a backstory and present their creation through a storyboard or poster. This sparks creativity and deepens understanding of Greek mythology.
Students should include a name, domain (what their god rules), symbol (power item), powers, possible weaknesses, and a brief backstory or origin story for their Greek god.
A modern adaptation activity involves students designing their own Greek god based on current themes or people, then creating a storyboard or poster about their god’s traits, powers, and story. This connects ancient myths to today’s world.
Creative writing helps students apply literary elements in context, making learning memorable. It encourages them to analyze traits, symbols, and themes while inventing their own myths, deepening engagement with Greek mythology.
Allow students to choose unique domains or modern influences, incorporate art by designing symbols, provide the option of posters or digital storyboards, and encourage imaginative backstories. This keeps the assignment fun and personalized.