Medusa and Athena – Greek Myth Activity Packet

Recount the myth of Medusa and Athena and identify its central moral

Compare and contrast Medusa's and Athena's personality traits, thoughts, and actions

Define unfamiliar vocabulary words using context clues

Distinguish elements of fables from elements of myths

Research and report factual information about Greece

Follow the file's five-day sequence: introduce and read the story on day one, analyze characters on day two, use the discussion cards in small groups or pairs on day three, complete the comprehension questions with textual evidence on day four, and finish with the Greece research extension on day five

Use the cut-out discussion cards with the Fan-n-Pick strategy or a face-down draw for small-group retelling practice

Preteach the twelve vocabulary words before the first read so front-loaded terms don't slow down comprehension

Use the fables-vs-myths Venn diagram only after fables have already been taught, since the teaching notes assume that prior comparison is already familiar

Myth comprehension and moral identification — students read the retold myth and answer five questions on Medusa's actions, the conflict with Athena, and the story's moral.

Character analysis — students complete a Medusa/Athena compare-and-contrast organizer and a traits/thoughts/words/actions chart.

Vocabulary in context — students locate and define twelve story words using context clues, a dictionary, or online research.

Genre comparison — students sort statements into a Venn diagram distinguishing fables from myths.

Research and reporting — students complete a Greece fact sheet covering geography, government, currency, and culture.