Learning Goals

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • use tableau to represent part of a story (including the elements of space/place, relationship and power dynamics)
  • demonstrate the basic elements of tableau
  • retell the myth of Persephone
  • generate questions for deeper inquiry into the myth
Materials
  • Appendix 2 The Myth of Persephone or other short synopsis of the myth (look for websites, books, etc.)
  • Blackboard/whiteboard or tool for recording student ideas digitally with projector

Minds On

Whole Class > Introducing the Myth of Persephone

  • Split the myth of Persephone up until Persephone arrives in the Underworld into small, manageable chunks and assign each chunk to a group.

Suggested Breakdown of Tableaux:

  1. Persephone is picking flowers with friends in the physical world, while her mother Demeter, Goddess and Grain and Growth, watches and her father Zeus, God of Thunder, watches down from the world of the gods.
  2. Persephone picks a flower, the narcissus, and the ground begins to shake.
  3. Hades, God of the Underworld and Zeus’ brother, comes out of the ground on a horse-drawn chariot and grabs Persephone while her parents look on.
  4. Hades puts Persephone into the chariot and departs for the Underworld.
  5. In the Underworld, Hades makes Persephone his wife and tells her that her father Zeus helped planned her kidnapping; an unknowing Demeter mourns her daughter’s disappearance in the Physical World.

Action

Small Groups > Storytelling through Tableau

  • Each group creates a Tableau that depicts its part of the story using the basic elements of tableau. Side coach the groups as necessary.
  • Encourage students to think about the elements of space/place, relationship and power dynamics.

Teacher Tip: Give students a defined timeline to keep them focused. Use a visual timer as needed.

Consolidation

Whole Class > Carousel

  • Set up groups in a circle formation in the space, and have them present their tableaux in continuous order without stopping in between in order to get a sense of the whole story.

Whole Class > Debrief

Record the answers on the blackboard/whiteboard or on a digital tool projected to the class in two columns (one per question)

Key Questions for Discussion:
  • What do we know from the story told just told?
  • What do we want to know?

Possible responses for the second question may include:

  • Why does Hades want to marry Persephone?
  • Why would Zeus help plan the kidnapping of his own daughter?
  • How does Persephone feel about Hades?
Assessment for Learning (AfL)

Suggestions:

  • Side coaching students as they prepare tableau as feedback
  • Use a tableau checklist (see CODE's Tableau resource)
  • Use Anecdotal Records about student questions in relation to the myth
Assessment as Learning (AaL)

Suggestions:

  • Peer feedback using Two Stars and a Wish based on established criteria
  • Students record questions as an exit card
  • Students reflect on their own tableau as an exit card

Note: If the goal is to share the story quickly, forego peer feedback. If the goal is to develop tableau skills, peer feedback will help students to integrate their understanding and analysis of effective tableau.