TOPIC: MYTHOLOGY
LEVEL: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced

"Flights of Fantasy: A Project About a Myth"

[information | preparation | activity ]
CONCEPT:

Mythological stories developed as a result of man's early observations of flying objects and his attempts to explain the natural phenomena.

STUDENT OBJECTIVE:

The student will be able to complete a reading project about a myth related to flight.

OVERVIEW:

The student will demonstrate an understanding of myths related to flight.

TEACHER TEXT:

From the beginning of history we have been fascinated by flight. Ancient myths and legends of every culture are filled with tales of gods and humans with the ability to fly. Symbols of freedom and mastery, flight myths fanned the dream of people everywhere to join their heroes in reality.

PREPARATION TIME: Varies depending on project

LESSON TIME: From 30 minutes to multiple class periods; can also be used as a homework assignment.

TEACHER PREP:

.... (20 minutes)

WORDS TO KNOW: MATERIALS NEEDED: (depending on the project you choose)
STEPS TO FOLLOW:

1. Choose a project from the extensions list.

2. Prepare the materials.

3. Explain the objective to the students and show an example of the project you have made.

4. Model the steps of the project for the class.

5. Have students work together if that is more efficient for them.

6. Have students collect materials.

7. Begin the project.

8. Supervise the projects closely.

9. If more time is needed, assign for homework.

10. Collect the projects and have students present them to the class.

11. Display the projects in class and/or for parent night.

WHY?

Projects give students a way to use their creativity, to extend what they have learned and to share and communicate what they have learned to others. Projects also give students a way to use their science thinking processes such as observing, classifying, sequencing, inferring, predicting, measuring, interpreting, controlling variables, hypothesizing, defining, and formulating models. It also encourages critical thinking processes such as concept formation, comprehending, decision making, research, inquiry and problem solving.

ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?

4......Student is able to communicate a concept, generalization, comparison, and/or prediction about a myth through a detailed presentation of the project.

3......Student is able to communicate a concept, generalization or comparison and/or prediction about a myth through a general presentation of the project.

2......Student is able to communicate a concept or generalization about a myth through a general presentation of the project.

1......Student is only able to communicate a generalization about a myth through a presentation of the project.

EXTENSIONS:

1. Bookmark

Materials:
  • popsicle sticks
  • crayons
  • ribbon
  • markers
  • pencils
  • scissors
  • glue
  • tagboard
  • paper
Decide on a design to represent the myth you want to represent.
Draw the shape onto tagboard or cardboard.
Cut out the shape and draw your design.
Glue a popsicle stick, ribbon or strip of paper to the back of the bookmark.

2. Puppets representing characters of the Myth

Materials:
  • paper sack or paper plate
  • popsicle sticks
  • crayons
  • markers
  • scissors
  • glue
  • construction paper
Decide what part of the myth you want to retell with the puppets.
Choose the characters you want to represent the scene.
Using a sack for a sack puppet or a plate for a plate puppet, or a stick for a stick puppet, or a sock for a sock puppet make the puppet you want for your characters.
Use paper to draw a setting for scenery.
Present your scene to the rest of the group or class.

3. Myth Cube
Materials:
  • tagboard
  • scissors
  • markers
  • pencil
  • crayons
  • glue
Make a cube from tagboard or purchase small boxes from art supply stores.
Choose a myth you want to retell with your box. Decide on the scenes you want to use on the cube to tell the myth. Draw and/or write on each square. Make sure you notice how the box will go together so that you draw on the cube sides in a way that you wish the myth story to flow as the person turns the cube. (Teachers: model this for the students.)
Fold the cube and glue together if needed.
Share your myth cube with a partner, with your group, and/or with the whole class.

4. Making a Myth Quilt

Materials:
  • construction paper
  • paper
  • scissors
  • markers
  • pencil
  • glue
Read or listen to a myth.
Re-read the favorite scenes.
Decide how many pieces you want to use in your myth quilt.
List the scenes you want to use.
Draw each scene onto the same size paper.
Glue the pieces onto a larger size of construction paper so that the color of the construction paper shows between the pieces.
Retell the myth using the quilt to re-tell the story.

5. Make a Myth Character Mask

Materials:
  • construction paper
  • pantyhose leg (used)
  • hanger (wire)
  • markers
  • crayons
  • yarn
  • ribbon
  • glue
Stretch out the bottom of the wire hanger.
Slip the pantyhose around the hanger and tie the pantyhose at the top of the hanger with some yarn.
Cut the ribbon or yarn for hair and glue it to the mask.
Cut out paper eyes, nose and mouth and glue to the mask.
Hang the mask up with the others from the class. Guess which characters are which.
Present your character mask to the rest of the class.
Use the character masks to retell the myth.

6. Make a "Wanted Poster" of a character in the Myth

Materials:
  • paper
  • markers
  • pencil
Choose a character you want to show in your poster.
Design the poster
Include these things in the poster:
  • Name of the myth
  • Name of the character
  • Weight and height (you'll have to make your best estimate)
  • Hair and eye color
  • Physical characteristics (scars. hair length, etc.)
  • Last seen:
  • Wanted for:
  • Reward amount:
  • Contact person (your name)
Draw in a border and fill in the picture of the character and the information.
Present your "wanted poster" to your group or class.

7. Make a "Myth Setting Map" (good as a group project.)

Materials:
  • old newspapers
  • wallpaper paste
  • paint brush
  • tempura paint
  • recycled objects
  • corrugated cardboard
Choose a scene in the myth you want to map.
Design a map layout of the scene.
Choose items like milk cartons, boxes or cans to create buildings.
Tear newspaper into long strips about one inch wide.
Dip the strips into prepared wallpaper paste. Squeeze the extra paste off the strips.
Lay the strips in the same direction, covering the base and the objects.
Repeat this process laying the strips in a different direction each time.
Repeat with 4 different directions.
Let dry for 1-2 days.
Paint the map. Add shrubs and trees and other objects if needed.
Present the map to the class. Retell the myth using the map.
Display in class.

8. Make a Diorama of a Scene in the Myth.

Materials:
  • shoe box and assorted materials for a diorama
Choose a scene in a myth.
Using the show box and assorted chosen materials, depict a scene in the myth.
Present in class re-telling the myth using the diorama.

9. "Advertising a Myth" Poster

Materials:
  • tagboard or poster board
  • markers
  • pencils
Decide on the myth you want to advertise.
What are the most interesting parts of the myth?
Design your ideas on a piece of paper.
Revise your ideas as you collaborate with a partner or group.
Decide on a final design.
Draw and color your design on poster board or tagboard.
Present your poster to the class and retell the myth.
Display your poster in class.

10. "Collage a Myth"

Using the poster idea above make a collage out of magazine pictures

11. Vocabulary "Collage"

Collect magazine pictures or words that use words from or about myths or about a scene in a myth.
Make a collage of the words, phrases or ideas of myths.
Last modified: Sun May 25 16:28:17 PST 1997