Curated OER
Beowulf: Songs of Ancient Heroes
Introduce your class to epic heroes with these activities for Beowulf. After watching a video clip, taking notes on heroes, and tracking characteristics of heroism throughout Beowulf, class members retell an episode of Beowulf using a...
National Endowment for the Humanities
A Story of Epic Proportions: What Makes a Poem an Epic?
Learners analyze the epic poem form and its roots in oral tradition. For this epic poetry lesson, students research the epic hero cycle and recognize the pattern of events and elements. Learners analyze the patterns embedded in the stories.
Curated OER
What is a Hero? Heroism in Greek Mythology
Students explore the tales of Greek mythology and discuss what it means to be a hero. They associate acts of epic heroism with philanthropy noting that these characters acted in a larger than life manner to secure the common good.
Curated OER
Archetypal Images and Polarities
Here is a rather esoteric resource that presents the archetypes found in “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” and would be appropriate for a college-level psychology or literature class, or as a teacher resource. Considered the “world’s oldest...
Curated OER
Project Gilgamesh: Gilgamesh and Leadership
Do leaders need to be more moral than followers? Does power corrupt? Can anyone be a leader? Begin a study of leadership with a reading of excerpts from the Epic of Gilgamesh. After examining the ancient Mesopotamian hero, class members...
Annenberg Foundation
Masculine Heroes
What were the driving forces behind American expansion in the nineteenth century, and what were its effects? Scholars watch a video, read biographies, engage in discussion, write journals and poetry, draw, and create a multimedia...
Curated OER
Romanticism: The Artistic Expression of Liberalism
The epic clash of reason and emotion comes to life in this informative presentation. Detailing the period of Romanticism in 19th century Europe, these slides contain pictures of the most famous pieces of art during this period. Viewers...
Curated OER
The Odyssey: A Deeper Appreciation
Young scholars read "The Odyssey" and identify the ways it relates to their own lives. As a class, they also examine the history of the story and identify the various Greek gods and goddesses. In groups, they focus on the geography of...
Curated OER
The Odyssey and The Morte Darthur: Reading and Making Observations for Writing and Discussion
Students read "The Odyssey" and "The Morte Darthur". In groups, they research the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology and the history of the places mentioned in the stories. Individually, they are to write a paper about a hero they...
Curated OER
John Paul Jones: Captain of the High Seas
Students explore John Paul Jones. His sense of adventure brought him to America. His bravery made him the country's greatest naval hero.
Curated OER
Literature of the Ancient World
The literature of the ancient world can provide a motivating way for students to explore history.
Curated OER
Primary Source Activity: Jose Marti
Analyze a primary source document "Our America" which depicts a Spanish-American point of view. The class answers 3 critical-thinking questions based on the reading and create a time line of Cuba's struggle for independence.
Curated OER
The Hobbit
Students list W.H Auden's six characteristics of a quest story. They say what is meant by a "metaphorical quest." Pupils discuss some differences between symbolism and allegory. Students indicate how Bilbo Baggins's adventures changed...
Curated OER
Top 10 Games of 2007
In this top ten games of 2007 activity, students review each game and its genre and then answer four discussion questions, complete a writing task and then write an outline for a computer game story with a script.
Curated OER
Keeping the Past Alive
Students read about the oral histories of West Africa and complete related activities. In this oral histories lesson, students read about the importance of oral customs in African cultures. Students interview a family member about oral...
Other
The Epic of Ramayana
This article discusses the significant of on the Ramayana, the epic story of the hero Rama that is so much a part of Hindu culture.
World History Encyclopedia
World History Encyclopedia: Arjuna
Illustrated entry tells the story of Arjuna, a hero in the Indian epic " The Mahabharata".
Ducksters
Ducksters: Ancient Greece for Kids: Homer's Iliad
Kids learn about Homer's Iliad from Ancient Greece on this site. Explore an epic poem about the Trojan War and the hero Achilles.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Ancient Greece for Kids: Homer's Odyssey
Learn about an epic poem about the hero Odysseus and his journey home on this site. Read more information about Homer's Odyssey here.