Greek Mythology Problem-Based Learning Mini-Unit Reflection

My mini-unit was based on the complex, soap-opera-like world of Greek mythology. I had never memorized or really paid attention to Greek mythology, I guess I had always written it off as useless or untimely. Not until I was a reading teacher, and I had to teach my students all forms of traditional literature, did I come to appreciate how much the Greeks can really explain everything (made me think of the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding). I am also pretty fascinated with the idea of traveling to Greece, so I personally have really taken to learning about Greek architecture and the various Gods.

I am going to really implement this with my students, whether it be this school year or next (who does all this work for nothing!?). Being a 6th grade classroom teacher, I have been quite consumed with ensuring my students pass the ISAT tests and help our school make AYP this year. Not until after school TODAY, have I had the time to really focus on everything else (gave my last ISAT test at 2:00 today). If the ISAT test didn't fall in sync with this project, then I most certainly would have used most of the unit's components.

I don't directly teach Social Studies, but my teaching partner and I were right in tune when it came to the timing of our Greek mythology instruction this year. My reading students and I read the novel, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, while my teaching partner was teaching the 6th graders about Greek civilizations in Social Studies. The students found SO many connections to the book that our Greek mythology knowledge base continued to grow and the students were constantly making connections and asking questions. The teachers on my team all went to see the movie with students on a Friday night when it came out, the same day we finished the book. I'd say 75% of the kids in my class (MANY reluctant readers included) are currently reading one of the next books in the Percy Jackson series. They had SO many things to say about all the things changed or left out from the book. It was so nice for them to have the experience I had been hoping for - THE BOOK IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN THE MOVIE!

So when the assignment was changed from having to implement the unit to designing it to be implemented, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I also expanded my idea for the problem-based unit to incorporate 2 scenarios instead of just one. I think, if I did not have time restraints, I would realistically do both and the kids would eat it up. I have continued to pick various picture books for read alouds and stories from the students' literature textbook that have Greek myths in them for shared reading.

The first scenario I created is a prerequisite for the 2nd scenario. It is based on the kids understanding the relationships between the Titans, Gods and Humans and identifying those relationships in a model. The second scenario really makes the kids take their thinking to a higher level by analyzing the relationships between all of the characters to design an event where all the Greek characters would be present. The event type is totally open for their choosing. I can not wait for my artistic students to really get into this project, because the basis of it is design. Sadly, there is very little time in my classroom to design, draw, or model.

With the various levels of students in my class (many ESL and special ed.), I think I might modify the 2nd assignment to be done with a partner. I think the students will struggle the most with the concept mapping tools, because most have never used them before.

I learned a great deal about concept mapping and mind tools, as well. I don't use these regularly in my classroom, so this assignment made me buckle down and learn them. I especially liked Webspiration and would recommend that program to students and adults. I also learned that signing up for all of the family tree/concept mapping sites is a huge pain. Most of them only offer free trial periods, you can't save your work, or they weren't student friendly with all of their advertising and e-mail requirements. I took to Webspiration because of its simplicity and ease of use.