Many versions of the myth of King Midas and his golden touch are available, so choose your favorite and read it to your class. Once the pupils have heard the story, ask them to imagine that this story happened not to a king in ancient Greece, but to a modern person. Discuss with the class ways in which the mythological characters and events could be translated into the modern world. Have each child create a modern-day version of the myth. Inspire your class to create short stories, poems, plays or comic strip versions of the myth. Once the children have created their modern retelling, have them share their creations with the class.
Help your pupils sharpen their abilities to compare and contrast the elements of a story by presenting to them a few versions of the King Midas myth. You could offer them versions written in story form only or versions in a variety of forms, such as plays, cartoons and comic strips. Offer versions that present different takes on the plot and characters and, if possible, ones that were written in different time periods. Consider using the written version created in the 19th century by Nathaniel Hawthorne for his “Wonder Book for Boys and Girls” and the early 20th century cartoon created by Walt Disney called “The Golden Touch.” Compare and contrast the presented versions with your pupils.
Read a traditional version of the myth of King Midas to your students. Once they've heard the myth, have each pupil choose one character -- King Midas, Dinonysus or the satyr Silenus. Pupils should research their chosen characters, looking for historical and mythological facts about that character or, in the case of Silenus, about satyrs in general. Each student should create a short report about her findings, including any images or pictures that she locates. Have each student present her report to the class and discuss with the class the ways historical fact, legend and fiction combine to create a myth.
Select a dramatic retelling of the King Midas myth, such as the play version on Highland Park Elementary School’s website. Cast the pupils as characters in the play and have them create costumes using old sheets or large pieces of fabric. Let the pupils use the board at the front of the room to draw a background for the play, encouraging them to add specific details to the background that signify time and place. Decide on the action of the play, making dramatic choices about events such as the act of turning objects and people to gold. Maybe the turned-to-gold object or person freezes in place or is pelted with gold glitter by the pupil portraying Dionysus. Once the play is rehearsed, perform it in class.