TOPIC: MYTHOLOGY
LEVEL: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced

"Keeping a Journal about Myths"

[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 either draw or write about myths that are read or studied in class.

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: 20 minutes

LESSON TIME: 20-30 minutes

TEACHER PREP:

Select and print one of the myths from this Web textbook.

WORDS TO KNOW: MATERIALS NEEDED:
STEPS TO FOLLOW:

1. Read or act out a myth or a chapter of a myth.

2. Allow for a quiet setting so the children can write or draw in the journals about the myth.

3. Journal writing should be done on a regular basis.

4. Allow about 10-15 minutes for the writing or drawing to take place.

5. Encourage children to be creative and to use free expression.

6. Journals are usually personal, private, confidential. Children should not be forced to share their journals. Use a numbering system to insure confidentiality.

7. Children can be invited to share from their journals. They may be invited to share with another classmate or to a small group.

WHY?

Journal-keeping is a teaching tool. It fosters self-understanding language and communication skills. Through writing and drawing in a journal the teacher and student are able to observe growth and understanding of the student throughout the year. Self-esteem is also strengthened through the creative and expressive use of journal writing and drawing. Imagination, concentration and clarity of expression are also encouraged through journal writing.

ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?

4......Student is able to communicate through writing or drawing imagination, expression, self-reflection, enriched art skills and /or language skills details about what was studied in the myths.

3......Student is able to communicate through writing or drawing, imagination, expression, self-reflection, art skills and/or language skills some idea about what was studied in the myth.

2......Student is able to communicate through writing or drawing expression and some art skills/and or language skills a general concept about the myth.

1......Student is only able to communicate through writing or drawing some art skill and/or language expression about what the concept was in the myth.

EXTENSIONS:

1. Inside/outside the mythological character:

  • The student draws or writes how they think the selected character in the myth feels inside and outside.
  • Compare or contrast with a picture or writing of how they student feels inside and outside.

2. History Timeline

  • Make a timeline of the events of the myth.
  • The student can make a vertical or a horizontal timeline.
  • This exercise will develop for the student an understand of time and the order and sequence of events.

3. Biography

  • The student writes or draws about a character in the myth.
  • It depicts the life of the character.

4. A Scary Part of the Myth

  • Write or draw about a perceived scary part of the myth.
  • Write or draw about being afraid and one would overcome being afraid.
  • Write or draw about feelings , fantasies, dreams and/or myths that are scary.

5. Angry characters in a Myth

  • Write or draw about an angry character.
  • Express the anger in the journal entry.
  • Expand as needed to encourage students to write about anger they may have and express it through writing or drawing in their journals.

6. Sad characters in the Myth

  • Write or draw about a sad character.
  • Expand as with the angry characters for other journal entries.

7. Expand the journal entries to include:

  • happy characters or situations
  • being alone
  • overcoming fear
  • escaping a tough situation
  • a theme: flying, magic carpets, wings
  • hero or heroine (have an imaginary conversation with a hero)
  • a favorite character in the myth
  • a character as a friend or an imaginary friend
  • write a letter to a character in the myth
  • write about all the good things in the myth and all the bad things make a list, describe or draw about these things
  • how do the character in the myth help each other?
  • describe the family (if any) in the myth
  • describe the individual differences, family ties, and things that are common to the characters in the myth
  • family tree or mythological character tree. How are the characters related?
  • describe the place of the myth. What is the setting? Describe a special place
  • describe a magic carpet ride for self through the story of the myth
  • make up a myth using self and friends and family
  • write a story beginning with "Once Upon a time...."
  • write a journal entry completing the sentences "If I were (the myths character)..I would...."
  • re-write the end of the myth. Rewright it so that it is a happy ending if it is sad or happy if it is scary.
  • create a comic strip about the situation in the myth
  • draw or write a dream sequence about the myth
  • draw or write about what to do if you were granted a wish
  • draw or write about how to make the myth a positive story
  • draw or write directions for a map about the myth
  • draw or write about what the characters in the myth want to accomplish
  • draw or write about the values of the characters in the myth. Compare or contrast with personal values.

8. Make a mandala about the myth and the characters.

  • A mandala is an ancient design motif. It appears all cultures throughout history. It has been used as a symbol of unity. It is sometimes used as a focus or "centering" for meditation. It is sometimes used as a focus of self as the center of one's world. They can have a soothing, calming effect.
  • To make a mandala, draw a circle. In the circle make a circular design that radiates out from the center. Typically in nature, mandala designs are an eye or a flower with petals around a center. An example of a mandala would be a rose window in Gothic churches. Other examples might be clocks, compasses anything circular with the design radiating from the center.
  • The student can draw images, shapes, colors or lines radiating from the center. Use the myth for ideas for the design.

Last modified: Sun May 25 17:20:20 PST 1997