Best Practices

ESL Best Practices: Arts Integration: TheatreTDF Stage Doors Program
World Cultures Theme:
Mythology Unit
Ms. Aixa B. Rodriguez’s classes
Ms. Carrie Ellman-Larsen, Teaching Artist
High School for World Cultures

What is a myth?
Myths are stories from any culture that contain deities (gods) and are related to the religious beliefs and identity of a culture or group of people.
Myths give explanations for natural phenomena.
Myths are passed on from generation to generation.

Jason and the Argonauts
It begins with brother killing brother in an effort tousurp the throne. Pelias takes the throne from Aeson, Jason’s father.
Usurp: to seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right: The pretender tried to usurp the throne.

Jason helps Hera over rough waters in a river, losing his sandal in the effort.

This old woman is really Hera, Queen of the Gods. She is testing Jason , for he is to help her get her revenge against his uncle Pelias.
Revenge: to take vengeance for; inflict punishment for; avenge:

The river is deep and rough.
turbulent, tempestuous <rough seas> b (1): characterized by harshness, violence, or force (2): presenting a challenge : difficult

This old lady is very heavy.
Heavy: having great weight;

Jason confronts King Pelias, who greets him with a dinner, all the while plotting against him.
Confront: to stand or come in front of; stand or meet facing.
Plot: a secret plan or scheme to accomplish some purpose, esp. a hostile, unlawful, or evil purpose: a plot to overthrow the government.

The chef cuts the boar at the feast, as Jason thinks about the challenge his uncle has laid before him.
Boar:, a wild pig

The Argonauts face rough waters as they sail for the fleece.
Fleece: the coat of wool that covers a sheep or a similar animal. 2. the wool shorn from a sheep at one shearing.

It’s all sailors at their oars as Poseidon sends challenging waves for the sailors.
Poseidon : the ancient Greek god of the sea, with the power to cause earthquakes, identified by the Romans as Neptune.

Orpheus entertains the Argonauts with lovely melodies.
Orpheus: a poet and musician in Greek mythology who almost rescues his wife Eurydice from the Underworld by charming Hades and Persephone with his lyre

Jason, Hercules and the others look out for land.
Hercules: a mythical Greek hero renowned for his great strength and especially for performing 12 labors imposed on him by Hera

Are we there yet?

The sailors row with determination.
Determination: firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end

Sailing for the fleece.
Sailing: travelling by ship on water

The Harpies harass King Phineas.
harass: to annoy persistently (2): to create an unpleasant or hostile situation for especially by uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical conduct

The harpies, terrible half woman and bird creatures with razor sharp claws.
claw : a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal

The Argonauts face the Harpies.

Going for the Harpies!

The Harpies prevented King Phineas from eating , the Argonauts helped him by driving off the monsters.

Argonauts protect against the Harpy attack!

Jason releases the dove through the clashing rocks. The Argonauts row for their very lives!
Row: to propel a boat by means of oars

There goes that dove again. Fly dove fly!

Jason and the Argonauts row through the clashing rocks!
Clash: to come together quickly and violently, and often noisily.

The clashing rocks smash ships that pass between them.. Pretty scary.

Only one feather is smashed between the rocks. The dove escapes!

King Aeetes and Medea greet Jason. King Aeetes doesn’t like Jason on sight.

Jason is arrested for wanting to take the treasure of Colchis, the golden fleece. Medea reminds her father of his manners and hospitality.
Manners: proper ways to behave

Medea meets Jason, Eros shoots her with his arrow.
Eros: the son of Aphrodite the god of love, otherwise known as Cupid.

Medea falls for Jason and is ready to betray her family and country for him.
Betray: to deliver to an enemy by treachery

Jason faces the warriors that popped up from the dragon teeth he had sown.
Sown: to plant seed for growth especially by scattering

Jason faces the dragon with Medea’s help. The Golden Fleece is within his grasp!
Grasp: to clasp or embrace especially with the fingers or arms

Watch out… the dragon is coming for you Jason!

Medea gives a sleeping potion to the dragon.
Potion: a mixture of liquids

The Dragon is put to sleep with Medea’s help and the Golden fleece is now in Jason’s hands!

BMCC , Borough of Manhattan Community College, Tribeca Theatre “Jason and the Argonauts” Performance.

Special Thanks to….
Theatre Development Fund (TDF) Stage Doors Program
Teaching Artist: Carrie Ellman-Larsen