TOPIC: MYTHOLOGY
LEVEL: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced

"Myth Review and Evaluation"

[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 read and review a myth.

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 the project

LESSON TIME: From 30 minutes to multiple class periods

TEACHER PREP:

Select myths from this Web textbook.

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

1. Read a myth or story.

2. Draw or record likes and dislikes and evaluations of the myth or story.

3. Present the review orally or in written form to a partner, group, to the whole class or to the teacher.

WHY?

We evaluate or judge almost everything we hear or read based on our past personal experiences. Communicating our evaluation of a myth or story helps others judge what they might feel about the myth or story. These processes of evaluating and communicating involve science thinking processes of observing, inferring, and analyzing. They also involved critical thinking processes of concept formation, comprehending, decision-making and problem solving.

ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?

4......Student is able to communicate a response, judgment, evaluation, and review of the myth or story.

3......Student is able to communicate a response, judgment and evaluation of the myth or story.

2......Student is able to communicate a response or judgment of the myth or story.

1......Student is only able to communicate a response to the myth or story.

EXTENSIONS:

1. "Sell Your Myth!"

Read or listen to a myth or story.
Prepare to persuade others to read or listen to your myth.
Answer these questions:
  • Your name.
  • Your book or myth title, author (if known), country of origin.
  • Characters.
  • Problems.
  • How you feel about the myth or story.
  • What is interesting about the myth or story. (Keep the ending a secret!)
  • Invite the audience to read or listen to this myth or story.
Prepare how you will talk to your audience. Write a draft or draw a picture about what you want to say.
Practice with a partner and make revisions.
Present your myth "sell" talk to a partner, group or the whole class.
Have the class evaluate your "selling" presentation or video-tape it.

2. "Talk about a Myth"

Read or listen to a myth or story.

Prepare to share what you have learned with the class.

Answer these items:
  • Myth title, author (if known), country of origin.
  • Your drawing about the book or an illustration.
  • How hard is this myth or story to read?
  • Give a catchy opening statement about the myth.
  • What attracted you to this myth?
  • Summary of the problem presented by the myth.
  • What did you like/dislike?
  • Overall rating 1-10 (1 = poor, 10 = good)
  • If you could change this myth how would you change it?
  • What do you know about the author of this myth or story?
  • Did this author write other things? What?

Write a summary of the myth or story. If you are trying to get others to read it, make sure it is enthusiastic.

Would you recommend this myth or story? Why or why not?

Make sure to look at your audience, speak slowly and clearly, loudly enough for people to hear you, and try to have enthusiasm for your myth or story.

Do a self-evaluation of your talk. Discuss it with the teacher.

Have a "Book-Buddy" evaluate your talk. Would they read the myth based on your talk? What did they like best about your talk? What was interesting to them about the myth? What did they like about the characters?

3. Evaluating Parts of a Myth or Story:

Divide a bulletin board up in any way you want.
Suggestions: pie shape, pizza shape, bubble shapes.

Each section of the pie or each bubble becomes a part of the myth you want to discuss.

Parts can be things like:

  • Name of myth, author (if known), country of origin
  • Characters
  • Setting
  • Goals
  • Problems
  • Solutions
  • Plot Identification
  • Surprise turns in the myth
  • Ending
  • Summary

Fill in the bulletin board as the class works through the parts of the myth or story. When the board is full, the process is complete.

Last modified: Sun May 25 16:59:09 PST 1997