Lessons & Units :: Genre Studies: Myths 1st Grade Unit

Lesson 3: Gods and Goddesses

Lesson Plan

Pandora's Box | 480L

Pandora's Box
Learning Goal
Identify gods and goddesses in a myth.
Explain that myths often have ancient gods and goddesses as characters.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials
Provided: Unit Example Chart, Independent Practice Worksheet
Not Provided: Little Bear, You’re a Star! retold by Jean Marzollo and Pandora’s Box retold by Jean Marzollo, chart paper, markers

  • Teacher Modeling

    will explain that another characteristic of myths is that they often have gods and goddesses. I will add this to my Characteristics of Myths Chart. (Example Chart is provided in Unit Teacher and Student Materials.) Gods and goddesses are powerful beings that are not human. They often create or control things on Earth. Many myths were first told when people believed in many different gods. I will identify 1-2 examples of gods and goddesses in the familiar myth Little Bear, You’re a Star! (From Lesson 1). I will do this by looking for characters that are explicitly called gods or goddesses in the text or by identifying characters that have powers that humans do not have in the story. For example, on the first page, the author mentions Zeus and Hera. I will record the title and examples on my chart.

  • Think Check

    Ask: "How did I identify gods and goddesses in the myth?" Students should explain that you looked for characters that are described as gods and goddesses or have powers that humans do not have in the story.

  • Guided Practice

    will read the myth, Pandora’s Box and work together to identify gods and goddesses in the myth. We will discuss how gods and goddesses are powerful and different from the humans in the story. For example, we will identify the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes. We will explain that one reason we know we are reading a myth is because the story has gods and goddesses.

  • Independent Practice

    will identify and illustrate one god or goddess in Pandora’s Box (Independent Practice Worksheet is provided). You will present your god or goddess, describe who they are in the story, and use this to explain how you know this is a myth.

Build Student Vocabulary curiosity

Tier 2 Word: curiosity
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story “When Pandora knelt down and touched the lid, her curiosity got the best of her.”
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) Curiosity is the desire to know or learn something. If you are curious, it means you are interested to know about something. When Pandora’s curiosity got the best of her, it means that her desire to know what was in the box took over, even if she knew she should not open it.
Students repeat the word Say the word curiosity with me: curiosity.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts I love a student who is full of curiosity. You don’t have to know the right answer, you just have to want to learn more about the world around you. Aren’t you curious to know why the sky is blue, or why the Sun looks round? My cat is a curious creature. She is always trying to open closed doors to see what is inside.
Students provide examples What makes you curious? Start by saying, “I am curious about _____________________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? curious
Additional Vocabulary Words surprised, tricky

Build Student Background Knowledge

Before reading Pandora’s Box, explain that the myth is from Greece and is thousands of years old. Point to Greece on a map. Share some contributions from ancient Greece with your students. For example, thousands of years ago, the Greeks gave us the Olympic Games, a sporting event in which people from all over the world compete every four years. They also gave us stories, plays, and new ways of thinking about the world around us.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

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