1. The Myth of Heracles
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2. The Story Jacob’s Ladder Goals & Objectives Habits of Mind
Tier 1
The Story
Jacob’s Ladder Goals & Objectives
Habits of Mind

3. The Myth of Heracles
Heracles (known as Hercules to the Romans) was the son of the god Zeus. When he was a baby, the goddess Hera was jealous of the attention he was given; she sent two serpents to his crib to kill him. Shortly after the serpents were sent, Heracles was found babbling happily with a strangled serpent in each hand. This event was the first clue of Heracles’ superhuman strength.

4. As he grew older, Heracles became a champion marksman and wrestler
As he grew older, Heracles became a champion marksman and wrestler. Unfortunately, he was driven mad by Hera and in a frenzy of anger killed his own children. To atone for this terrible deed, Heracles was charged with completing 12 tasks, or labors, for his cousin, King Eurystheus. The 12 labors were thought to be impossible; everyone believed Heracles would die trying to accomplish them.

5. One of the more exciting tasks for Heracles was to slay the much-feared Hydra. No one is entirely sure how many heads the Hydra had; some believe it was 8 or 9, while others claim the Hydra had 10,000 heads! There was agreement, though, about the Hydra’s ability to regrow two heads for every one that was cut off. As if many heads were not frightening enough, the Hydra’s breath was lethal to mere mortals.

6. Fortunately for Heracles, he was not a mere mortal
Fortunately for Heracles, he was not a mere mortal. With the help of his nephew, Ialous (who just happened to be waiting in the chariot), Heracles cut off each of the Hydra’s heads while Ialous seared the wound, making it impossible for another head to grow.

7. Heracles’ final task was to bring back Cerberus from the Underworld, the land of the dead. His first obstacle was getting across the River Styx, the most famous river of the underworld where all of the dead souls congregated. Heracles could not pay the bribe to Charon the Boatman, now was he dead; both of these were prerequisites for entering the Underworld. Heracles had to use his superhuman strength to frighten Charon into taking him across the River Styx.

8. Once in the Underworld, Heracles was confronted with Cerberus and his razor-sharp teeth and venomous snake tail. Luckily, Heracles was wearing the armor he made from the lion Nemean that he had slain during the first labor. The lion’s skin was impenetrable to the Cerberus’ teeth or tail. Heracles eventually succeeded at this labor as well Many years later after many more adventures, Heracles died from wearing a tunic tainted with poison, much to the dismay of his beloved wife Deianara.

9. Students will be able:
Ladder A
A1—To list in order of importance specific events or plot summaries.
A2—To identify and predict relationships between character behavior and story events, and their effects upon other characters or events.
A3—To predict character actions, story outcomes, and make real-world forecasts
Ladder D
D1—To restate lines read using their own words.
D2—To provide a summary of text selections.
D3—To create something new using what they have learned.

10. Habits of Mind
Thinking about Thinking (metacognition)
Posing Questions
Creative, Innovative, Imaginative
Applying past knowledge to new learning
Refer to Jacob’s Ladder Story Table for Ladders A & D Thinking Questions.

11. (Discussion) High Level Strategies with Ladder A & D Questions
Tier 2 Rigor
(Discussion)
High Level Strategies with
Ladder A & D Questions

12. Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around, 3-4 Podcast slides (Pixie, Frames)
*Choose 2 of the 3 activity options to complete.
A1—1.  Share five passages from the story that state the first five important events that take place.
A2—2. In your opinion what caused Heracles to be tasked with the 12 labors? and using evidence from the story show the effects the assignments have on his life?
D1—3. Explain one of the labors described in the myth. Do you notice any key words that might be significant in describing the labor.  If so, what are the words and why do you think the author chose them?

13. (Discussion) High Level Strategies with Ladder A & D Questions
Tier 3 Rigor
(Discussion)
High Level Strategies with
Ladder A & D Questions

14. Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around, 3-4 Podcast slides (Pixie, Frames)
* Choose 2 of the 3 activity options to complete.
A3—1. In your own words, what is the irony and the consequences that come from the manner of Heracles’ death? In your explanation include evidence from the text to support your thinking.
D2—2. By summarizing the main ideas of the myth, explain how conflicts faced by Heracles led to change.
D3—3. Synthesis moral values and lesson learned through the story but discussing the concept of good versus evil.

15. Reflections/Relevance
Tier 4
Reflections/Relevance

16. Choose one of the writing ideas to complete.  Be creative. 
Heracles had several battles or lessons during his life. These lessons and battles were physical and mental. He had much to overcome in his life. Write about a time you had something to overcome. What was the situation, the thoughts before, during, and after the time, and what implications came out of the situation.
Heracles is considered a myth or legend. Use the myth generator web link to create an original myth. Keep in mind the characteristics of a myth including a moral, good versus evil, extraordinary powers of some kind. Link is
Be creative with either question you choose to complete.  Here are some suggested project strategies:  Write a podcast script; create a puppet show; develop a PSA; a PowerPoint presentation; write and be an actor in a skit; write a persuasive speech and give before the class.