From Atalanta to Zeus: Readers Theatre from Greek Mythology

by Suzanne I. Barchers

Overview

Greek mythology, an important part of the curriculum for middle and high school students, serves as an exciting source of creative inspiration. Through these 26 scripts, you will not only introduce students to a fascinating body of literature, but also build their oral reading and presentation skills. Each script introduces a character from Greek mythology and chronicles some of the important mythical events surrounding the figure. Students get to know heroes, such as Heracles and Athena, in addition to lesser known but equally fascinating figures, such as Chiron and Asclepius. A pronunciation guide for more than 300 Greek names and a detailed index make this a user-friendly resource.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781563088155
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/15/2001
Series:	Readers Theatre
Pages:	214
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.46(d)
Age Range:	9 - 13 Years

About the Author

Suzanne I. Barchers, EdD, is the author of two college textbooks, over 20 readers theatre and teacher resource books, and more than 100 educational books for children. She is past president of the Association of Educational Publishers and serves on the PBS Kids Next Generation Advisory Board. Barchers has served as a public school teacher, affiliate faculty for the University of Colorado-Denver, acquisitions editor for Teacher Ideas Press, editor and chief of Leapfrog, and managing editor at Weekly Reader. Barchers writes and consults from her home.

Editorial Reviews

Should children a) meet myths early, but in bowdlerized or simplified versions, or b) wait until they can handle the psychosexual complexities characteristic of myths? If you vote for a), then you might want to look at this collection of more than 25 Greek myths prepared for read-aloud dramatics. The scripts cover most of the major and some of the minor deities' tales. The balance between dramatization and narrative varies widely: in some scripts (Dionysus, Hermes) characters have real dialogues, but in many cases (Heracles, Jason) the narrators are mostly reading a third-person account of events. Suggestions for adults about presentation, costumes, and delivery are included. On the minus side: there are errors of grammar; although the language is clear, the register is inconsistent (words like "bereft" join phrases like "You made it!"); and, most of all, some stories, like "Cupid and Psyche," are almost unrecognizable without their dark freight. Psyche is blamed here (whereas Cupid, who tries to protect himself from real intimacy and runs to Mom when his relationship falters, is equally immature); the sisters aren't jealous; Psyche doesn't carry a knife to kill her "monstrous" husband, so there's no real tension. Barchers's effort is well meaning, and some of this book could be useful for junior high students who might be frightened off by the adult content of more sophisticated versions. On the other hand, if they can deal with these names and intricate plots here, they might be able to handle more.-Patricia Lothrop-Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal