November 15, 2004 
November 15, 2004
Dear Sixth Grade Parents,
We would like to invite your child to participate in a program which we hope will be an additional but not overwhelming source of academic enrichment. We have offered Mythology Club for the past eight years to students who are interested in taking The National Mythology Exam, a national exam sponsored by the American Classical League at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The basis for the exam is The D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths, the book we have been using in sixth grade for eleven years.
The 50 item test is divided as follows:
· 30 questions from the D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths
pages 1-62- Myths and information on gods and goddesses.
pages 186-187- Greek and Roman names of gods and goddesses
· 10 questions from the D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths about the underworld:
Ixion, pages 96-97
Asclepius, pages 98-99
The Muses, pages 100-101
Orpheus and Eurydice, pages 102-105
Tantalus, pages 112-113
Sisyphus, pages 126-127
· Ten point subtest on Book 6 from The Iliad and Book 11 from The Odyssey
The purpose of this test as stated by the Chair of the Exam Committee is, “to allow students to demonstrate their understanding on a national level. It is designed to allow teachers flexibility in preparation and test-taking. Success and enthusiasm are our goals.”
MUCH of the material on this test will be covered during our mythology unit in class, however some of it will not. Mythology Club will be offered to registered students beginning on Monday, January 3, 2005, and will meet each Monday from 3:15 to 4:00. It is the parent’s responsibility to arrange transportation at 4:00. The National Mythology Exam is tentatively scheduled for March 8 at 3:15. The deadline for registration is December 15, 2004.
We would like to recommend that if your child is willing to make this commitment to learning, that you purchase a copy of The D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths for him/her to keep at home. We have arranged a 20% educator’s discount through Gibson’s Book Store so that students can order the books at a reduced price. Please see the attached order form.
Students must submit a registration form for Mythology Club to Mrs. Jones by December 15, 2004.
This test will not affect your child’s grade in reading or in any other content area. It will require some additional time at home learning material not covered in school.
We are very excited about the enthusiasm generated by Bow students in the past who have participated in the National Mythology Exam and the national recognition they have received. Please give this your serious consideration, and if you think your child would benefit from this challenge, please return the attached form.
Sincerely,
Bridget DeAngelis
Edie Jones