Arachne the Spinner

The New Windmill Book of Greek Myths, Geraldine McCaughrean (1992)

Before Reading

    1. Complete the following sentences:
    • A spider s__________ a web.
    • A t___________ makes clothes.
    • A w___________ weaves tapestries and rugs.
    • You need a n___________ and th_________ to sew a button on your shirt.
    2. What equipment does a weaver use? (Look for as picture in the library, or ask the teacher to show you one.)
    3. What are the different forms of the following verbs?

STEM (BASE)

SIMPLE PAST

PAST PARTICIPLE

go

went

gone

weave

 

 

spin

 

 

While Reading

  1. Did Arachne earn much money for her tapestries? How do you know?
  2. Where did Arachne believe her skill came from?
  3. Who was the old lady that sat behind Arachne?
  4. How did Arachne feel when Athene challenged her to a contest?
  5. What was the difference between Arachne and Athene's pictures of the gods?
  6. Who won the contest?
  7. (a) Why was Arachne punished? (b) How was she punished?

 

Vocabulary

  1. Find another word on page 26 that means "a skill, a special ability".
  2. Think of a synonym (word with the same meaning) for "contest".
  3. What is the difference between "cloths" and "clothes" (page 26)?
  4. Think of three things that have a smooth texture and three that have a rough texture.

    A smooth texture

    A rough texture

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  1. What does the word "transformed" (page 28) mean?
  2. Which word on page 29 means "torn pieces, rags"?

 

Writing

Rewrite the story of Arachne for younger readers, around 5-8 years old.

  • Look at some "Ladybird" folk tales as examples of the language level you need.
  • Include at least three illustrations. (The quality of the drawing is not very important.)
  • Include dialogue in your story.
  • Do not copy
    •  from the story in our "Greek Myths" book.
  • You may change the details of the story if you wish.

 

The following notes may help:

  • Arachne ... expert weaver ... amazing rugs and wall hangings ... famous ...

  • proud/vain/boastful/arrogant
  • One day ... boasted/bragged that she was better than the gods ...
  • the goddess Athene heard ... challenged her to a contest ...
  • The day of the contest arrived ...
  • Athene's picture ... Arachne's picture ...
  • Arachne won, but ...
  • Athene's curse has come true because people really do destroy the spider's work

 

Remember: good writers write and rewrite!

  1. Scribble a plan (or perhaps the plan above is enough?)
  2. Write a first draft
  3. Read it, share it, change it.
  4. Rewrite it. Edit the errors.