Teaching the Anatolian Tale of King Midas to Middle and High School Student: Graeco-Roman Mythology Series

In this post, I discuss the story of Midas, the foolish king of Phrygia who turned everything he touched into gold, grew a pair of ass's ears, and apparently is based on a historical king in what is today part of central Turkey and Asia Minor.

King Midas was an ancient Phrygian monarch 

and son of Gordius, and some say of the Goddess Ida. Image Credit: Unsplash

The story of King Midas has been told and retold throughout history, and for good reason. It's the premise behind a quite humorous candy commercial, and perhaps you first heard of the story through a widely distributed Disney animated short film. The story, however, is a cautionary tale. In my English Language Arts and Humanities middle and high school classroom, I use it to prompt young people to think critically about folly, ignorance, fraud, greed, and the unintended consequences of our actions. And even further, I use this story to spark discussions about morality, ethics, and the importance of self-reflection.

With an easy-to-use map and anchor chart
I can introduce students to the historical context of the Midas tale.

First, I introduce my students to the story's historical context. King Midas was a ruler of Phrygia, an ancient kingdom located in what is now parts of central Turkey and Asia Minor. This helps to ground the story in reality and shows that the lessons it teaches are rooted in history and culture. That's an important piece.

Next, I read the story of King Midas to my students. I like to use the version from Robert Graves' fantastic collection of Greek myths. Plenty of versions are out there, including a famous one by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Whichever version you choose, and you can share more than one, I ask students how they would feel if they suddenly became rich beyond their wildest dreams or if everything they touched turned gold.

After we have discussed the story itself, I like to focus on the character of King Midas. I ask my students to consider his actions and motivations and how they ultimately led to his downfall. I have many activities that lean into this part of the story. We talk about the dangers of greed and how it can blind us to the things that matter in life, such as family, friends, and happiness.

One of the most memorable parts of the story is when King Midas grows a pair of ass's ears after foolishly wishing for the ability to hear everything. This powerful image can illustrate the idea that our actions have consequences and that we must be careful what we wish for.

I use writing prompts to get kids' creative juices flowing.

To reinforce the story's lessons, I like to use creative activities that allow my students to explore the themes more personally. I pull from art and literature to showcase how the story has been adapted, leading to a creative writing activity. For example, I might ask them to write a modern-day version of the story or create a piece of artwork representing the dangers of greed.

Here is a monologue one of my amazing students wrote, re-imagining the version of Midas by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In this version, Midas turns his daughter into gold when he touches her:

The Gilded Daughter's Lament

It's funny, isn't it? The thing I always wanted that would bring me the most happiness is now the very thing that's destroyed me. Gold. My father's touch turned me into a statue of gold.
 
I used to dream of being wealthy and powerful, of having everything I could ever want at my fingertips. But I never stopped to consider the cost, the price I'd have to pay for all that wealth. And now, I'm paying it in full.
 
I can't move, I can't speak, I can't even cry. I'm just frozen in this golden shell, a monument to my father's foolishness. And what will become of me now? Will I be placed on display for all to see, a tragic curiosity? Will I be melted down and turned into something else, something that someone else desires?
 
It's funny how quickly your desires can turn against you. How one moment you can be chasing after something, thinking it will bring you happiness, and the next moment it can become your greatest nightmare. I wish I could go back and warn myself, tell myself to be careful what I wished for. But it's too late now.
 
So here I am, a statue of gold, unable to move or speak, watching as the world passes me by. And all I can do is wonder if anyone will ever see me as more than just a thing to be owned and possessed.

Overall, the story of King Midas is a wonderful tool for teaching important lessons about morality and ethics. By engaging my students in thoughtful discussions and creative activities, I can help them better understand these concepts and how they apply to their lives.

If you want to teach the story of Midas to your middle and high school students, head over to my TpT store, where I sell a compelling lesson and activity that features the story of this Anatolian king!

Midas Anatolian Tale: Mythology Series for Middle and High School (Grades 8-10)

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FREEBIE! 3-Box Note-Taking Template from Stones of Erasmus

Use Google Apps in the Classroom? Do you need a note-taking template for students? Look no further.

Go Digital With a Note-Taking Template Compatible with Google Apps

Going digital, I often bemoan that students do not always have clear ideas on how to take notes whilst on Zoom. Suffice it to say, no one is using a notebook anymore. So I came up with something old and borrowed and traditional and put it into a zesty digital format.

Here is a freebie for y'all to share with your students. It's a simple-to-use digital note-taking template.

Questions:

In this section, students can do one of two things (or both). First, they can record questions they have so they won't forget. Second, they can generate test-type questions. Studies show when students start thinking like the teacher, they are more likely to do well on tests and other assessments.

Notes:

In this section, students jot down what they hear in class in the normal way. I don't expect students to take down everything I say. The gist is what I'm after.

Summary:

At the end of class, or for independent work, students take time to digest what was learned in class and write down everything in a summative paragraph form. Great for retention! Also, if you prefer the old-school method, I got you. Once you download the template, you'll see there are both versions available, print and digital.

You can download the FREEBIE on my TpT store OR you can click the link below!

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Going Digital in the Classroom: Pros and Cons (And Notes on Teaching During a Global Pandemic)

The Covid-19 pandemic has turned the education world upside down in so many ways. Schools have had to shut down, parents have had to take on the role of homeschool teachers, and even traditional educators have had to find ways to adapt to a digital environment.

During the waning days of the pandemic, I spent a few afternoons with colleagues and friends in a small park in Queens (the so-called "Landing Lights Park," where we could socialize while maintaining distance.

Before the pandemic, creating a digital resource for students might have been seen as innovative but only sometimes necessary. After all, printable worksheets and textbooks have been the norm for so long, and they still work just fine. But the pandemic has forced us all to think outside the box and develop new ways to reach our students and ensure they still receive a quality education.

For those of us who are old-school teachers, the transition to a digital environment has been challenging. We've had to learn new technologies, figure out how to use them effectively in our classrooms, and adapt our teaching styles to fit this new format. It's been a challenge, to say the least.

But despite these challenges, the shift to digital resources has been a good thing for education. For one thing, it's made it easier for students to access materials and resources from anywhere. No longer are they tied to a physical classroom or limited by the resources available at their school. They can access a wealth of information and resources online, which has opened up a new world of learning opportunities.

Additionally, digital resources are often more interactive and engaging than traditional print materials. They can include videos, animations, simulations, and other multimedia elements to help students better understand and retain the material. And because they are often more interactive, they can also be more fun and engaging for students, which can help keep them motivated and interested in their studies.

While the shift to digital resources has not been without its challenges, I believe it has been a net positive for education. It has made it easier for students to access materials and resources and has opened up new opportunities for interactive and engaging learning experiences. As we move forward in the post-pandemic world, I hope that we can continue to embrace the benefits of digital resources and find ways to make education more accessible and engaging for all students.

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January 18th is a National Holiday: Martin Luther King, Jr. On Poverty

In this post, I talk about how Martin Luther King, Jr. is known as a civil rights activist. Still, his legacy is more about human rights—especially the state of poverty that he believed could be eradicated if humans only have the will to do so.

"Martin Luther King press conference / [MST]." Original black and white negative by Marion S. Trikosko. Taken August 26th, 1964, Washington, D.C, United States (@libraryofcongress). Colorized by Jordan J. Lloyd. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA Source

Today I listened to a brief speech given by Martin Luther King, Jr.'s son, Martin Luther King, III. In the video, he talks about his father's legacy but points out that one message King repeatedly gave was often not emphasized in the praise we often give the slain civil rights leader. It's about poverty. When King was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968, he protested against the poverty wages sanitation workers were given who worked in the city. Workers worked long hours and subsisted on low wages, and many were also on welfare. King espouses the merits of having a stable job and receiving an equitable income as something elusive for Americans. Whenever I talk about living wages today or about the need to reduce poverty, I often run up against tin ears. It's easy to shush away poverty as one of those problems Miss America pageant contestants say they want to defeat (along with world peace). But King was right when he said the problem won't go away unless we have the will to fight it. When I look at the problems beset by the Covid-19 virus, I see a public health crisis, but I also see a crisis that has torn open the inequalities caused by poverty. In the United States, forty-five million (maybe more) live in poverty, which by some estimates is more than were poor during Martin Luther King's time.

So, if you are celebrating the Martin Luther King holiday today in the United States, it is appropriate to sing praise for what he did to secure civil rights, but the road to equitable human rights is still not won.

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Aesthetic Thursday: Poussin’s Poetic Painting "Blind Orion Searching for the Rising Sun" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

I recently went to the Met — and I wandered the newly renovated European Paintings galleries and I fell in love with the French artist Poussin's painterly image of a wandering giant looking for the sun.

Nicolas Poussin, French Les Andelys 1594-1665 Rom — "Blind Orion Searching for the Rising Sun," 1658 (oil on canvas). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. 24.45.1 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has recently renovated its European Paintings galleries. The skylights have been fixed and apparently more artwork has been hung on the walls. I like to wander the galleries without a goal in mind — however, I lie just a bit, here. Because I did have a goal in my wanderings — mainly to find the Met's Caravaggio's. But it's always the serendipitous finds that stick with me. And Poussin's "Blind Orion" caught my attention. I know nothing of Poussin — so my interpretation of the painting is more of a first blush. But I am a lover of myth and poetry — and this painting draws you into a mythological world. At first I thought the giant figure carrying a man on his shoulders was Saint Christopher — the legendary boatsman who carried the Christ child on his shoulder crossing a river. But that is not the subject of this painting. It's a depiction of the blind giant Orion, who carries his guide Cedalion, as they look for the rising sun. The museum placard indicates that Diana, the moon goddess, who appears a diaphanous blue, stands watching in the clouds. It's a magical story; obviously one fit for myth — but the scene resonates with me because I think of myself as somewhat of a wanderer. And Orion is also the name of one of my favorite constellations. So it is befitting. Here's to searching. For the healing sun.

Hey, y’all. I’m at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I’m obsessed with Orion the Hunter, a figure from Greek mythology, immortalized in an oil painting by the French artist Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665).

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A Fourth Grader's Optimism: Who Needs Some Inspiration? (Especially After the Tumultuous Events in Washington, D.C. this Week!)

Feeling the need to be inspired, I found this post-it note on a bulletin board at the school where I am a high school English teacher. I teach in a K-12 school in the New York City borough of Queens.

Julian in Fourth Grade doles out a massive dose of encouragement.

Needing Positivity this Week (For Sure!)

I am usually the teacher who brings positivity to the classroom. But lately, I have been feeling down-and-out. Maybe it's the global pandemic that has swept the world, or maybe it's the attack on our democratic institutions on Wednesday that threw the nation's Capitol building into lockdown. A large group of Trump-inspired far-right rioters breached security protocol and entered the federal building, breaking glass, vandalizing the Speaker of the House's office, and even infiltrating the Senate chambers — where just an hour before, legislators had convened to accept certified electoral college votes from the states — to follow through with the Constitutional process to de facto validate the election of the next President of the United States, Mr. Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Inspiring Note from a Fourth Grader

And I saw this note from a Fourth grader. Kids at this age have an optimism and clarity for both big-spectacled dreams as well as practical sense. Who doesn't want the world changed for the better? But I love how he admits it is a challenge. And kudos for his marvelous grammatical construction — "Changing the world isn't easy, but anyone can."

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Storytime: Anthony’s First Day at Kindergarten

In this post, I retell a story of when I was in kindergarten and told my teacher I was named Anthony. 

When I was in kindergarten, I told my teacher to call me Anthony—chaos followed. Watch my hilarious story!

On the first day of school in kindergarten. 

My teacher, Mrs. Rousell, does the roll call. “Susie, Anthony.” And, of course, my first name is Anthony, but I’ve always gone by Greig. So in a split second, I say, “Yeah, my name is Anthony. Don’t call me Greig.” So the rest of that week, the teacher says, “One plus one, Anthony, what’s one plus one?” I’m like looking around the room. Is she talking to me? I don’t answer her.

And then later on in the day, “Where’s your mat? Anthony, go get your mat for nap time.” I’m like, “What?! Is she talking to me?” I mean, this goes on for the entire week, and finally, on Friday, my mother comes barging into my room. 

“Anthony!”

I got in so much trouble, honey. Yes! My mama was like, “Why do you call that teacher and tell her that your name is Anthony? She says you have a hearing problem. Don’t you know that your ‘Greig’”? I mean, come on.

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Hollywood Movies from the Nineties: Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead (1991)

Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead, a fantastic Hollywood movie from the 1990s,  just might be one of the best movies ever made about faking it until you make it.

Christina Applegate in Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead © 1991

Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead is a movie about transformations. 

Her boss tells her to say, "I'm right on top of that, Rose!" whenever she is doing a task for her. She says cheerily, "Don't feel overwhelmed, just do one thing at a time." The movie captures the era of big shoulders and women in the workplace trying to make their mark. Sue Ellen works her way up the corporate ladder, getting that Q.E.D. Report done by some cool delegation — to the ire of one of her co-workers, played by Jayne Brook, who is catching on to Sue Ellen's ruse. But Rose thinks Sue Ellen is just the best. "You're a paragon!" she beams! But Sue Ellen, the newest hire at General Apparel West, is really just a kid. The big conceit of the movie is that Christina Applegate is not really a fashion mogul.

"I'm Right On Top Of That, Rose!"

If you don't know the plot, it's ostensibly a story about every teenager's dream — to have the house entirely to yourself, no rules, no boundaries. See. Mom (played by Concetta Tomei) has gone to Australia and left the kids, played by Christina Applegate, Keith Coogan, Robert Hy Gorman, Danielle Harris, and Christopher Pettiet, with an evil-eyed, petty authoritarian (played by Eda Reiss Merin) named Mrs. Sturak. Even the name connotes fear. But the thing is — the movie is not about navigating the conflicts brought on by a mean babysitter. Mrs. Sturak dies twenty minutes into the movie. And Christina Applegate's character suddenly finds herself having to take on the head of the household. In a wild stretch of the imagination, she manages to land a job for a fashion company by stitching together a fake résumé —which hilariously causes her to take on the daily grind, getting up before dawn, to get dressed, prepare breakfast, and beat the downtown Los Angeles traffic to get to work on time. The oldest brother is a deadbeat (Coogan's character) — and the three other kids are treacly sweet, just the way most pre-teen kids are in Hollywood movies from the late 1980s and 1990s. But Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead is no John Hughes flick. Directed by Stephen Herek, the same guy who brought us Critters and Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, the movie takes on a plucky pull-yourself-up-from-the-bootstrap narrative.

Surprisingly Inspiring Movie That Could Otherwise Be Dreck!

The joy of the movie is watching the kids take on adult responsibilities. And the reality is that in the 1990s, many kids were latchkey kids — without parental supervision after school. Like the kids in the movie, learning to take care of yourself, prepping for a meal, setting the alarm on your clock, getting the laundry done, and all of that mundane task that can make life a drudgery were self-taught — this was before "Helicopter Parents." But like I said — the movie is about transformations. The sulky teen girl finds purpose (who isn't rooting for Sue Ellen!). The deadbeat older brother finds purpose in catering! The young kids figure out how to clean the house, take on responsibility, and just be cute in a Hollywood movie. It's been about thirty years since this movie came out — and a lot has changed about everything. The film has aged well, though. The movie is pumped with an optimistic premise — that left to their own devices, kids will take on identities and responsibility and win us over with their aplomb and finesse. Don't underestimate 'em.

What other movies have you seen that show dramatic transformations in teen characters? Let us know in the comments.

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Christmas Day Photography Journal: Romantic Musings On Found Objects (And Some Tibetan-style Momo)

Inspired by the Romantics, I find inspiration in the everyday material world.

A bike covered in pigeon droppings. OK. That’s ewwwww. But. Look. 

A bowl of grits, green onions, and cheesy eggs. 

Me looking at art books. 

A snapshot from my favorite mobile game @taptapfish. 

Homemade Tibetan-style dumplings (known as “Momo”) and a pretty portrait shot of the famous penguin sculpture in Jackson Heights, Queens. It’s my way of finding beauty, elegance, and looking up from the gutter to see the stars (to paraphrase Oscar Wilde).

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Quote: Isaac Watts Admonishes How Idle Hands Are the Devil's Work (And a Reflection on How I Got Into the Habit of Collecting Quotes)

"In works of labour, or of skill, I would be busy, too;

For Satan finds some mischief still 

For idle hands to do."

— Isaac Watts, 1674 - 1748

Photo by nacer eddine on Unsplash

I do this thing where I look at my old journals. 

It's the greatest accomplishment of my youth. That I wrote a lot of entries. It's an activity that I tell my students to do often (as I am a high school English teacher), and I wonder if it must be a thing of adolescence — to inscribe one's thoughts down on paper. As an adult, I am not as prone to journal writing. I've lost interest in my own subjectivity!

That's sort of a joke, but I have done one activity consistently — collecting quotes. I found the above quote about idleness in one of those old journals from my youth.

It's easy to scoff at Isaac Watt's suggestion that one ought to stay busy. It's a sentiment ingrained in the Puritan notion of "work ethic" that has so often infused every aspect of American culture and history. In the current dispensation, productivity is rewarded, and idleness is looked down upon as indicative of a rotten soul.

I guess that is why the devil is co-opted in this dialectic between work and inactivity — since the devil is the symbol of perversion. Therefore, the lack of work, the absence of productivity is an abomination in this worldview.

There is a lot to be said for idleness, though. Even when the devil is idle, I suspect, they are having a good time! 

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Photograph: A Scene of a Winter Gloaming in Queens

A million years ago I spotted the gloaming on a Summer evening in Brooklyn near the Gowanus Canal. Fast forward into the future and here I am in Queens, on a Winter evening, having spotted the gloaming.

The Gloaming As Seen from 37th Avenue in Queens Looking Southwest

Words to Describe the Period of Sunset

In the English language there are a few words that can be used to describe that moment between day and night. The most common word is dusk — which I feel like is a broad term to describe that temporal zone in which the sun has dipped below the horizon but a sliver of light remains. 

It is part of the larger sunset process, that process seen from an observer on Earth as the day and night cycle. The sun seems to dip below the horizon line, never to be seen again. Our ancestors hoped for another new day — and especially in Wintertime, as the sunlight grows less during the day, we pine for more light — hence the origin of almost every Winter holiday celebration from Diwali, to Hannukah and Kwanzaa, and to Christmas. We look and pray for the restoration of light.

Twilight or Gloaming?

Twilight — which is closer to what the term gloaming means. It is that precious moment where the last dots of lights appear in a reddish, bronze haze of light — and then slowly descend into night.

I imagine gloaming is the more poetic term. Twilight is reserved the scientific view of the event. Read this nice article from the British newspaper The Guardian for a thorough review of the different terms.

I like this time of day — while it is just as likely to capture a similar picture in the morning, when in reverse, we see a similar process in the dawn.

When have you seen a gorgeous dusk? What do you call it?

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On the Pleasure of Silence: Remarks from a Modern Human (and Apologies to Alluding to Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation)

In this post, I reflect on the importance of silence and reading in forming ideas. Reading allows for a more immersive and contemplative experience, as opposed to passively consuming external stimuli like TikTok or television. I also speak about the value of storytelling and being called a poet by a child named Evan. I conclude by recounting a story about finding and decorating a Christmas tree in the forest.

On a quiet night in early winter, even in New York, there is an inspiration to read, and think, and look out my window.

No Books at the Dinner Table

The one freedom left to me is silence. In silence, there is the freedom to read, to think. Reading is a form of silence. A silence filled with words. In reading, I choose words like a savory meal; the brain queues words into the mind in waking life, but in reading life, I can choose carefully. Reading a book is sweet indeed. On a train, at the dinner table. Prone on my back. Against a tree. As a kid, I could not read at the dinner table. ”Bad manners,” my father would tell me. ”Put the book down, Greig. It's dinner. Get your head out of that book." Zero in on me looking forlorn. And include a wide shot of how awkward the family dinner became.

I don't fault my father. He was not a reader. But he enjoyed good conversation and didn't like being alone — even at the dinner table. As an adult, I have not turned into my father. But not because I am a reader and he is not — but I let children read whenever they want. Children should never be allowed NOT to read.

The Freedom of Reading
But back to my thesis. The freedom to form ideas is buttressed by silence. Is this the contemplative life? Silence is active in a book full of ideas. The ideas in a book are like taking one bite out of a delicious meal and savoring each morsel. Ideas pumped into the brain from external sources like TikTok, YouTube, random channel surfing on the television — do not have the freedom of “one bite at a time.” It's passive consumption. However, podcasts and audiobooks — I don't argue these are as passive because I find audio more immersive than visual. Don't get me wrong, though. I love the visual. And I love TikTok. I am more or less arguing for reading (and not suggesting one throw the baby out with the bathwater). 

Why read? I read for epiphanies. Not for epiphanies I have had but for epiphanies, I have not had.

I am silent, so I can learn of an epiphany in a poem.

When I Read a Good Story
When a story is told, your eyes grow bigger, and you rest awhile, knowing something good is about to come, and you know the pleasant color of a story put together as I go along is sufficient.

I am a storyteller. I tell stories. And I was confirmed in that role today. He called me a poet. His name was Evan — about nine or so. He called me a poet. I pay attention when kids say something important. Which is most of the time.

I told a story about finding a Christmas tree in the forest. We cut it down, a nice one — it was a sufficient size — and we drug it back home to decorate it. Sort of like that scene in Christmas Vacation — the one with Chevy Chase as the avuncular but hapless father -- where he takes his family into the woods to cut down the tree. Something like that. Now that's family.

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