hands on history

Today I have a Greek mythology unit study. Grab more ideas on my Ancient Greece Homeschool Unit Study, and on my best homeschool unit studies pages.

This unit study can be slanted anyway you want and it’s important for your student to understand to look at the world the way the Greeks did.

For example, there were scary gods and they believed they created humans.

A Greek mythology unit study is a great topic for middle schoolers.

It is interesting and exciting, filled with stories of gods and goddesses, mythical creatures, warriors, heroes, and ancient rituals.

It is one of my favorite middle and high school topics to cover.

You could put together a simple light study with a few retellings and the why of how Greek myths came to be or take a deep dive with your child and spend a month or more with these resources if they enjoy it.

Too, I have a simple LEGO tutorial for you to create your own Zeus brick-by-brick.

 Or use it as inspiration to recreate your favorite Greek myths. Maybe a Medusa?

Or maybe a Chimaera? I tried to keep it as simple as possible, using only bricks that come in the basic sets like the large creative box so that you don’t need any special pieces to recreate it.

About the Greeks World View

The Greeks believed that the world was flat, but circular. At the center of the Universe was Greece.

Their world was divided by the Mediterranean, which in Latin means “Middle of the Lands”. The river Ocean flowed around the world in a clockwise motion.

12 gods considered Olympian gods.

There are 12 main or chief gods among the Greeks.

They are supposed to live on Mount Olympus, which was the highest mountain in Greece. 

And they are known by two names, their Greek and Roman name.

Look below as I give the clue, then the answer.

1.Clue: goddess of love and beauty 
Greek: APHRODITE       Roman: VENUS

2. Clue: god of youth, music and poetry
 Greek: APOLLO           Roman: APOLLO (note: the names are the same in both Greek and Roman.

3. Clue: goddess of wisdom, warfare, arts and crafts
 Greek: ATHENA          Roman: MINERVA

4. Clue: goddess of vegetation and fertility
 Greek: DEMETER         Roman: CERES

5. Clue: sister of Apollo, goddess of the hunt, wild animals and childbirth
Greek: ARTEMIS         Roman: DIANA

6. Clue: goddess of home and fireside
 Greek: HESTIA           Roman: VESTA

7. Clue: wife of Zeus/Jupiter, goddess of marriage
 Greek: HERA             Roman: JUNO

8. Clue: king and father of the gods
 Greek: ZEUS             Roman: JUPITER

9. Clue: god of war
 Greek: ARES             Roman: MARS

10. Clue: god of fire, metal working, and artisans
 Greek: HEPHAISTOS    Roman: VULCAN

11. Clue: god of travel, commerce, and messenger of the gods
 Greek: HERMES           Roman: MERCURY

12. Clue: god of the sea, horses and earthquakes
 Greek: POISEIDON       Roman: NEPTUNE

You can grab this minibook about Who’s Who Among Gods in my Free Ancient Rome Lapbook.

Greek Mythology Unit Study Vocabulary

Also, look at some of these words to help your children differentiate between myths and legends.

• myth – The word myth comes from the Greek word ‘mythos’ which means ‘to tell a story’. Myths are stories with a message. Normally the people telling them believe the myth to be true. They’re used to provide an explanation to the beginning of the world, nature, or explain human behavior.
• legends – Legends are not true, but they are based on fact, such as a real person, a place, or an event.
• folktale – Folktales are normally for entertainment and are usually set in a particular time.
• ancient – There are varying opinions, but historians generally use the dates between 1000 BCE and the death of Alexander the Great, in 323 BCE to mean the ancient period. Then, explain the difference between B.C.E and C.E.
• amphora – a large, tall urn that often has two handles; used for storing wine, corn, oil, and honey
• Cronos – a first generation Titan (giant) who is the father of Zeus.
• ambrosia – the food of the gods
• nectar – the drink of the gods

More About Ancient Greece and Myths

Additionally, because your family may go down different rabbit trails, look at some of these objectives to help you plan your study.

• Ancient Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses.
• The gods and goddesses of ancient Greece were believed to be immortal and to have supernatural powers, unlike humans.
• Mount Olympus was the place believed by the Ancient Greeks to be the home of the gods.
• Some of the mythical creatures are Pan, Pegasus, and Centaurs.

Then add some of these fun books and resources.

10 Books for a Fun Greek Mythology Unit Study

You’ll love adding one or two of these resources or books to your homeschool unit study about Greek mythology.

D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths

Kids can lose themselves in a world of myth and magic while learning important cultural history in this beloved classic collection of Greek mythology. Now updated with a new cover and an afterword featuring never-before-published drawings from the sketchbook of Ingri and Edgar D'Aulaire, plus an essay about their life and work and photos from the family archive.

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The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus

Long, long ago in ancient Greece, people began telling wonderful stories to explain the mysteries of life. These myths featured gods and goddesses, mighty beings who look human but have amazing powers and live forever. Now you can meet these extraordinary characters and hear their legends, brought to life again by Aliki in this splendid, panoramic look at the amazing stories and characters of Greek legend.

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The Mighty 12: Superheroes of Greek Myth

Meet the most impressive of the gods and goddesses of Olympus-and even a few monsters-and see them revealed for what they really were: ancient superheroes with the power to shift shape, move mountains, and change fate. In this innovative introduction to Greek mythology, energetic poems and dynamic comic book style illustrations create a seamless blend of the ancient and contemporary that depicts the gods in all their super-human glory.

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The Greek Mythology Bible: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes of Ancient Greece | Discover Traditions, Myths, Historic Mortals and Mythical Creatures

This is a good choice for a comprehensive reference source.

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Brick Greek Myths: The Stories of Heracles, Athena, Pandora, Poseidon, and Other Ancient Heroes of Mount Olympus

Meet the Greek gods and goddesses as you have never seen them—in LEGO form! Enjoy these fascinating myths, reimagined through elaborate scenes and colorful LEGO bricks in one thousand color photographs!This book shares a unique retelling of some of the most widely known and loved Greek myths, from the stories of Athena, Poseidon, and Pandora to the twelve labors of Hercules.

• Watch Athena spring from the head of Zeus
• See Poseidon as he rules the seas with his mighty trident
• Maintain hope with Pandora as her curiosity gets the best of her
• Beware the Nemean Lion as Hercules repents for his misdeeds.
• Be awestruck by the amazing Mount Olympus
• And much more—all created with LEGO bricks!

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Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5 Book Paperback Boxed Set (w/poster)

The Percy Jackson Series is perfect for independent reading time, it follows the adventures of a young demigod (half mortal, half Greek god) Percy, and his friends.

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Greek Myths

From the terror of Medusa and the Minotaur to the Labors of Heracles and journeys of Theseus, the stories in this collection have thrilled and enthralled people for centuries with their high drama, hazardous quests, and unforgettable characters (both mortal and immortal).

Under Olivia Coolidge’s skillful pen, the landscape of early Greece and its famous legends bloom with vigor and are perfectly suited to the adventure-seeking reader.

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Clash of the Titans

Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus volunteers to lead a daring band of warriors to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus and unleash on earth.

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Wonder Woman (2017)

Wonder Woman was inspired by Greek Mythology.

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Mythical Realms TOOB - 8 Piece Set

Enter a magical Greek realm where creatures, beings, and gods you thought were merely lore come to life! The Mythical Realm Toob includes figurines of a chimera, griffin, phoenix, unicorn, sea dragon, and minotaur, along with Poseidon and a mermaid.

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Also, I have two huge Ancient Greece Free Lapbooks.

First, I have this Fun Ancient Greece Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook here.

Second, my other Free Ancient Greece Lapbook is here.

Then, I have more resources here on my site for studying about Ancient Greece.

More Greek Unit Study Resources

• Build a Fun Greek Water Clock
• Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones
• 9 EASY and Fun Hands-on Ancient Greece Kids Activities
• Hands-On Ancient Greece Study: Politics and Pottery
• Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game – Ancient Greece Unit Study
• Ancient Greece Unit Study.Play Stomachion Like Archimedes {Explore Geometry}
•  Hands-on Activity 2. Ancient Greece Chariot
• Refraction and Ancient Greece
• Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts – Great Big List of Ancient Greece Freebies
• 13 Living History Books about Ancient Greece
• Free Greece Copywork Poetry

More Best Homeschool Unit Studies

• How Do Sharks Float STEM Activity Free Shark Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
• Free Homeschool Chicken Unit Study and Anatomy of an Egg Felt Activity & Worksheet
• How to Incorporate Subjects into a Fun Homeschool Cooking Unit Study
• Volcano Unit Study and Fun Apple Volcano
• Solar System Unit Study and Hands-on Planets Activity
• Charlotte’s Web Homeschool Unit Study and Fun Hands-on Ideas
• Homeschool Unit Study Ideas | Lewis and Clark Exploration Lapbook
• Mushroom Unit Study and Kids Learning Activities
• Little House on The Prairie Unit Study and Fun Punched Tin Lantern

Finally, look at this fun LEGO Zeus to go with your unit study.

Greek Mythology Unit Study How to Make a LEGO Zeus

All the parts below are available in the basic LEGO Creative box but I did need to dig into a second box for a few extra pieces.

Improvise and use what you have on hand if needed for instance if it calls for 1 tan 2×4 brick you can use 2 tan 1 x 4 bricks instead to fill the same space.

You will need:

• 2 tan 1 x 1 tan studs
• 2 Tan 1 x 2 slope bricks
• 4 tan 1 x 2 bricks
• 5 tan 2 x 4 bricks
• 3 tan 1 x 4 bricks
• 1 tan 2 x 2 brick
• 3 Yellow 1 x 3 bricks
• 4 white 1×2 bricks
• 3 white 2×2 sloped bricks
• 2 white slope 2 x 1 x 2
• 2 white brackets 1 x 2 – 2 x 2

Start at the bottom creating feet and legs by stacking 2 tan 1 x 2 studs on top of the tan 1×2 slope bricks.

Secure those to a 2×4 white brick to create his cloth.

Fun LEGO Hands-on Activity

If you want to create a fuller toga style you can substitute a couple of the tan bricks in the next step with more white.

Stack 3 tan 2×4 bricks to create a trunk.

Place 2 tan 1 x 4 bricks across the top in the front for arms and one centered behind them.

Put 2 white brackets 1 x 2 – 2 x 2 in front and back for beard and hair.

Put a 1×2 brick on either side of the white brackets.

Create a head by stacking 1 tan 2×2 and then 2 tan 2×4 bricks on top.

Attach 2 white slopes 2 x 1 x 2 to 2 white 1×2 bricks and secure them to either side of the head.

Finish the hair by adding 2 white 2×2 sloped bricks to either side of the head with the slope facing outward and add the 3rd one to the bracket to fill out his beard.

Pop 2 tan 1x2s to the end of his arms to lengthen them and then create a lightning bolt for his hand by alternating 3 yellow 1 x 3 bricks in a z shape.

You can even create a little Mount Olympus emerging from the clouds like our Zeus is standing on.