Greek Myths Lesson Plan
Learning Objective: Pupils can retell a Greek myth and explain what it reveals about Ancient Greek beliefs
About this resource
This comprehensive lesson plan provides everything you need to introduce Year 5 pupils to the captivating world of Greek myths. Designed for history lessons, it guides teachers through activities that enable children to retell classic myths and understand how these stories reflect ancient Greek beliefs, directly supporting the KS2 history curriculum's focus on ancient civilisations.
Starter Activity
10 minutesRead a short extract from the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Ask: 'Is this a true story? Why do you think the Greeks told this story?' Introduce the concept of myths — stories that explain the world.
Main Activity
30 minutesPart 1: Myth Exploration Groups receive different Greek myths (Icarus, Pandora's Box, Perseus and Medusa, The Trojan Horse). They read and identify: the hero, the challenge, the lesson/moral.
Part 2: Story Map Pupils create a story map of their myth showing: beginning, build-up, climax, resolution.
Part 3: Retelling Each group retells their myth to the class using their story map. The audience identifies the moral of each story.
Plenary
10 minutesClass discussion: 'What do these myths tell us about what the Ancient Greeks believed?' 'Do we have similar stories today?' Pupils write one sentence explaining what myths reveal about Greek culture.
Differentiation
SEN Support
Simplified myth versions with illustrations. Story map template provided. Paired retelling with supportive partner.
EAL Support
Key vocabulary pre-taught: myth, hero, moral, gods. Visual story map. Paired with English speaker for retelling.
Gifted & Talented
Write their own Greek-style myth featuring a hero, a challenge from the gods, and a moral lesson. Compare Greek myths to myths from another culture.
Key Vocabulary
Assessment Criteria
- Can retell a Greek myth accurately
- Can identify the moral of a myth
- Can explain what myths reveal about Greek beliefs