Teaching Mythology
22 episodes - English - Latest episode: 22 days ago - ★★★★ - 3 ratingsTeaching Mythology is a podcast for teachers who want to explore the meanings and applications of myths through a modern-day lens.
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Episodes
018: The Return of the Hero - The Heroic Journey - Part 3
April 02, 2024 16:00 - 13 minutes - 9.41 MBToday we are discussing the final stages of the Hero's Journey and illustrating each stage with examples from popular films like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings. Next I'll describe how to teach these concepts in a classroom setting, including the use of movies like Disney's Hercules and Willow to help students identify the stages of the Heroic Journey. The Heroic Journey has universal appeal in teaching shared human experiences and connections across cultures. Looking for...
017: The Road of Trials: Exploring the Hero's Journey - Part 2
February 11, 2024 01:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBIn this episode, we continue exploring the Hero's Journey in Part Two, focusing on the Initiation or Road of Trials. Using examples from popular stories like Harry Potter and Star Wars, the episode discusses various stages of the initiation. Each stage is analyzed, providing insights into how these events shape the hero and prepare them for their ultimate quest. Want to teach the Heroic Journey to your classes? Check out the ppt I use here. ______ I've made this Google Doc of How I Map o...
016: The Heroic Journey: Understanding Joseph Campbell's Monomyth Through Iconic Pop Culture - Part 1
January 26, 2024 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBAfter a two-year hiatus, I'm back discussing Joseph Campbell's Monomyth or Heroic Journey. Diving into this narrative archetype used in storytelling worldwide, I'll use examples from 'Star Wars' and 'Harry Potter' to illustrate the stages of this journey, including the departure, initiation, and return. This episode covers the first act, elaborating on the hero's separation from their known world, the call to adventure, doubts and fears, mentorship, talismans, allies, and crossing the thres...
015: Christmas Stories From Around the World
December 07, 2021 02:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBOur Christmas and holiday traditions are steeped in centuries-old traditions and folktales that date back to the pagan era. In this episode, I will retell and discuss 11 different witches, , grandmothers, trickster boys and old me, and goddesses from mythology that all relate to the winter solstice and winter holiday traditions. Here is who I will be talking about in brief (you can use the chapter markers to jump to the one you really want to hear). Greek Mythology - Chione Norse Mytholog...
014: The Truth About the Greek Underworld
December 01, 2021 01:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBTake a walk with me through the Greek Underworld, past the river Styx, through the gates of Hades as we explore the Elysian Fields and Tartarus. What you may think the Underworld is like, is probably not really how it is. I also share my favorite assignment to do with my students to help them explore the Underworld - students create their own map of the Underworld as they read descriptions of it. You can check out the Map of the Underworld Project here. Read the transcript HERE ________...
013: The Origin of Seasons According to Greek Mythology (and happy Fall Equinox!)
September 22, 2021 06:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MBAccording to the Greeks, we have seasons thanks to Demeter, Persephone, and Hades. But you may not know that the myth of seasons is really a myth about life, death, and rebirth. It is also one of the greatest love stories in Greek Mythology. It is a story about the love of a mother for her daughter and the love between Persephone and Hades. Don't believe me? Take a listen. Read the transcript HERE ________________________________________________________________ I've made this Google ...
012: Can We Cheat Death? A Lesson from Sisyphus.
September 13, 2021 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MBIt seems as though every culture or mythological system has death myths. The preoccupation with the afterlife is something that has transferred very quickly into our modern world. We see it with the never-ending pursuit of that youthful glow. In Ancient Greece, Sisyphus's obsession over not dying led him to trick Gods, force his wife to not bury him, and negotiating with the goddess Persephone. He was able to trick death two times, but the third time was his failure. As punishment, he i...
011: Should We Censor the Myths?
September 04, 2021 22:00 - 14 minutes - 9.92 MBThis is a serious episode today - more serious than I originally intended when I planned it. Today, I'm going to talk about whether or not we should censor mythology and things you should consider when choosing what myths to teach in your classroom. I've made this Google Doc of How I Map out My Year of Mythology to help you. In it, I have links to resources, website, and myths. This is a living document, so I am continually adding to it as I find new things, record podcasts, write blog p...
011: Should We Censor the Myths
September 04, 2021 22:00 - 14 minutes - 9.92 MBThis is a serious episode today - more serious than I originally intended when I planned it. Today, I'm going to talk about whether or not we should censor mythology and things you should consider when choosing what myths to teach in your classroom. I've made this Google Doc of How I Map out My Year of Mythology to help you. In it, I have links to resources, website, and myths. This is a living document, so I am continually adding to it as I find new things, record podcasts, write blog p...
010: How I Plan and Map Out My Mythology Units
August 15, 2021 03:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBAre you teaching mythology, but don't know where to start or what to include for the time you have? In this episode, I outline what I would teach if I had 2 weeks, 1 month, 1 quarter, 1 semester, or a full year of teaching mythology. I've made this Google Doc of How I Map out My Year of Mythology to help you. In it, I have links to resources, website, and myths. This is a living document, so I am continually adding to it as I find new things, record podcasts, write blog posts, and create...
009: Resources and Tips for Teaching Mythology
July 30, 2021 07:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBAre you looking for resources for teaching Mythology? Do you need some help with how to get started teaching Mythology? Here are some of my favorite resources and tips for teaching mythology. I mention a ton of links in the show. I have the links below, but you can also get them at the Show Notes on my blog. Click here to get 3 Free Mythology Lessons. Here are my two blog posts I talk about in the Podcast: 4 Resources for Teaching Mythology You Might Not Know About 5 Quick Tips for ...
008: Pandora and Eve
July 16, 2021 16:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBI love looking for similarities in myths from around the world. The Myth of Pandora and the story of Eve both teach us that the Ancient World believed that the curiosity of the first women brought about all the evils in the world. Come with me and we explore the similarities of these two myths and I explain how a lesson on symbolism with the myth of Pandora led to an unexpected social-emotional lesson. Additional Resources Click here to get my Pandora Lesson and Activity. ------- To re...
007: The Creation of Man in Greek Mythology
July 02, 2021 06:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBThe ancient Greeks had two different myths explaining the creation of man. The first being told by Hesiod, where he describes the four ages of men. The other myth involves Prometheus creating man to be like the Gods, stealing fire from the Gods, and incurring the wrath of Zeus. But both myths teach us about hierarchy in the ancient (and modern) world. Additional Resources Want my Greek Creation PowerPoint Slides to use in your class - get them HERE. ------- To read the transcript, cli...
006: The Graduation Speech
June 18, 2021 06:00 - 10 minutes - 7.22 MBToday I'm going to share with you a graduation speech that I gave a few years ago. There's something about high school graduations that are special. They're life events that your entire family gets involved in, in the community you have parties and barbecues. I have been in charge of graduations a two different schools - they are massive events and the culmination of 12 years of school. Talk about pressure! Two years after I left one school because I moved to a different state, the sop...
005: The Fall of Kronos and the Rise of the Olympians (The Greek Creation Part 2)
June 04, 2021 06:00 - 16 minutes - 11.4 MBIn today's episode, we continue the Greek Creation story. We left Zeus off on the island of Crete. As he grows stronger, Gaia whispers to Zeus to overthrow his father Kronos. With the help of a magic potion, a massive amount of vomiting, and the cyclopes, Zeus is able to overthrow Kronos in an epic battle called the Titanomachy. Additional Resources Want my PowerPoint Slides to use in your class - get them HERE. ------- To read the transcript, click HERE. I'd love to connect with y...
004: The Greek Creation, Castration, and Cannibalism
May 21, 2021 06:00 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MBToday we're going to talk about the Greek creation story, a whole lot about castration ,and about cannibalism too. Hold on tight because the Greek creation is a wild story that is a little bit about creation and a whole lot about the gods, goddesses, and Titans that ruled the ancient world! Additional Resources Want my PowerPoint Slides to use in your class - get them HERE. Want to try the Clash of the Gods in your class - get the video guide here. ------- To read the transcript, click H...
3- What I Did on the First Day of Mythology Class Every Semester
May 07, 2021 06:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBThe first day of class is probably always the worst day. You have to go over rules and procedures, answer questions about homework and grading, and force students to "get to know each other" through awkward ice-breaker games. Or do you? Here is my first day lesson plan for my mythology classes. Did I teach routines and procedures - sure, but they were how to have discussions and work together - not how to ask to go to the bathroom. Once I started asking students to define what mytholo...
003: What I Did on the First Day of Mythology Class Every Semester
May 07, 2021 06:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBThe first day of class is probably always the worst day. You have to go over rules and procedures, answer questions about homework and grading, and force students to "get to know each other" through awkward ice-breaker games. Or do you? Here is my first day lesson plan for my mythology classes. Did I teach routines and procedures - sure, but they were how to have discussions and work together - not how to ask to go to the bathroom. Once I started asking students to define what mytholo...
002: The Big Reasons WHY I Started a Podcast (and our awkward first date)
April 24, 2021 00:00 - 10 minutes - 7.41 MBToday I'm going to share with you my background and why I wanted to start a podcast. I've been in education for 15 years and was incredibly lucky to be a mythology teacher for several years in a high school. When I first started teaching, I was given some horrible advice about what to teach and what not to teach. And boy, am I grateful I didn't listen to that teacher. So come on in and get to know me a little bit better before we start our journey in exploring mythology. To read the ...
002 - The Big Reasons WHY I Started a Podcast (and our awkward first date)
April 24, 2021 00:00 - 10 minutes - 7.41 MBToday I'm going to share with you my background and why I wanted to start a podcast. I've been in education for 15 years and was incredibly lucky to be a mythology teacher for several years in a high school. When I first started teaching, I was given some horrible advice about what to teach and what not to teach. And boy, am I grateful I didn't listen to that teacher. So come on in and get to know me a little bit better before we start our journey in exploring mythology. To read the ...
Teaching Mythology Trailer
April 18, 2021 22:00 - 1 minute - 1.13 MBWelcome to the Teaching Mythology Podcast. This podcast is for teachers wanting to learn more about the myths, get ideas for lessons, and talk about the myths through a modern-day lens. I'd love to connect with you! Join me over at ... Instagram Facebook Teaching Mythology Facebook Group Website Check out my TPT Store I'd also love to send you my FREEBIE and keep you updated on all the goings on. Click HERE to get a free poster of the Greek God Family Tree.
001: Teaching Mythology Trailer
April 18, 2021 22:00 - 1 minute - 1.13 MBWelcome to the Teaching Mythology Podcast. This podcast is for teachers wanting to learn more about the myths, get ideas for lessons, and talk about the myths through a modern-day lens. I'd love to connect with you! Join me over at ... Instagram Facebook Teaching Mythology Facebook Group Website Check out my TPT Store I'd also love to send you my FREEBIE and keep you updated on all the goings on. Click HERE to get a free poster of the Greek God Family Tree.