Lesson plan based on Amphora

Explore the characteristics of ancient and contemporary legends and compose and deliver a speech about a specific legend.

Skills and Focus: Discussion, Cultural Comparisons, Writing

Subject Area: English Language Arts

Thematic Connection: Myths and Legends, Connecting Past and Present

Grade Level: Secondary School

Time Needed: 90 minutes

Objectives

• Define legendary as it was used to describe Herakles in ancient Greece and as it is used today.

• Compose and deliver a speech that recalls a legend of the modern world.

Instructional Materials Needed

Story: What Story Is Shown?

Activity

Step 1: Begin by discussing the concept of legends. Be sure students understand that a legend can be either a person who accomplished some remarkable feat or an event of longstanding significance.

Step 2: After watching What Story Is Shown?, discuss what the students already know about the character of Herakles.

Critical Thinking Ask students to

• explain why the ancient Greeks painted an image of him onto an amphora.

• describe Herakles most admirable characteristics.

Step 3: Ask students to think about legendary people and events of the modern world and to choose either a person or an event to research. Students should look through primary—source documents, as opposed to encyclopedias, to find information about the legend they have chosen.

Step 4: Have each student write a brief speech about his or her legend. The speech should include the following:

• a description of the person or event

• an explanation telling why the person or event is legendary

• a comparison of the person or event to ancient Greek legends

Goals:

This activity meets Illinois State Goal 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.

This activity meets Illinois State Goal 4: Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations.

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