Delphia: Home of Positive Thinking

Lesson Four

CCSS
SL.9-10.4 Present information, findings, and supporting evidence
clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of
reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are
appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
SL.9-10.5 Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical,
audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance
understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.

Background Information:
Delphi was an important ancient religious sanctuary, located on Mt.
Parnassus near the Gulf of Corinth. The sanctuary was home to the
famous oracle of Apollo which gave cryptic predictions and guidance to
both official representatives and private individuals in Ancient Greece.
Delphi was first settled in Mycenaean times in the late Bronze Age.
But it was not until around 800BC that it became famous for its
religious and healing significance.
Delphi was considered the center of the world, because in Greek
mythology Zeus released two eagles, one to the east and one to west,
and Delphi was the point at which they met. This fact is represented
by the navel shaped stone which stands today outside Apollos temple.
The oracle of Apollo at Delphi was honored throughout the Greek
world. The oracle, Pythia, would answer questions for visitors wishing
to be guided in their future actions. The process was a lengthy one,
usually taking up an entire day and would only be carried out on specific
days of the year. At Delphi those who approached the Oracle, were
encouraged to have good thoughts. An excess of unhappy thoughts
were thought to cause an imbalance in the body and lead to illness.
Inner balance, it was thought, could not exist when worry, stress,
anger, frustration, fear, and anxiety were present.

Purpose:
The purpose of this lesson is to enable the student to understand the
mind/body connection, appreciate the value of positive thinking on our
health/everyday interactions and ultimately understand that we are
responsible for our health and well-being. Students will also be
introduced to topics of Alternative and Complementary Therapies
available to the public today.

Materials:
Program PowerPoint on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
MS Publisher 2010 software.
List of Alternative and Complementary Therapies
List of teacher established requirements for research study.
Poster paper cut into 6 X 6 size.
Program Guidelines for Using Alternative and Complementary
Therapies.
Time article After Surgery: Let the Healing Begin.

Concepts:
To develop an appreciation for the mind/body connection in health
care.
To develop an individual list of present day twentieth century oracles.
To become knowledgeable of the available alternative therapies in the
community and understand when and why they may be used.
To create a classroom display of alternative and complementary
therapies.

Lesson:
To do this we will complete the following:
Students will (in groups of 2) research on-line 15 facts learned
about the ancient site of Delphi. These facts will be word-
processed and shared in class. After facts have been shared
each group of two students will create a list of 5 questions to
share in class that they would ask the oracle if they were
living in Ancient Greece.

Each group will revisit their oracle questions and revise/share
these questions to reflect present day living. Class will
brainstorm a list of present day twentieth century oracles
that they could go to for advice/answers.

Each student will receive a copy of the article; After
surgery: Let the Healing Begin. They will read the article and
create a list of questions they have about the content. The
article and student questions will be shared/discussed in class.

Teacher will present the program PowerPoint on
Alternative/Complementary Therapies. Students will choose
one Alternative/Complementary Therapy from a teacher
developed list. They will research this topic and create a two-
page newsletter on their therapy. (Specific
guidelines/requirements will be passed out in class)

Alternative practitioners will be invited into class to talk about
their area of expertise. (Contacts will come from both
teacher and students). Students will write follow-up thank
you.

Students will present their MS Publisher newsletter to class
via smart board. As part of the presentation each student will
select an image that clearly reflects their chosen therapy.
Print this image in color, with a border and be 5 X 5 inches in
size. Place on poster paper. Web source and student name will
be placed on back of poster.
Students will design bulletin board using imagescreate a title
for each image and title for the bulletin board.

Assessment:
Sharing accurate and meaningful information with the class. (refer to
oral presentation rubric)
Participation and attentiveness during group presentation.
Use of thoughtful/clarifying questions and/or sharing constructive
comments about classmates presentation.
Time on task during class work time.
Completion of newsletter assignment. Grade determined by newsletter
and presentation rubric.