TOPIC: MYTHOLOGY
LEVEL: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced

"Read and Respond"

[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 listen to or read a myth and respond to it.

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: 30-45 minutes

TEACHER PREP:

.... (20 minutes)

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

1. Read a myth or story to the student or have them read it by themselves or in a group.

2. Have the student respond to the story in a number of creative ways suggested in the extension section. They can communicate by drawing , recording in the journal, or by use of diagrams and mapping about what they heard or read and how they felt about it.

3. Have the student report to a partner, a small group or to the whole class about their responses.

WHY?

Reading and listening to stories is exciting and personal. Every person is affected by a myth or story in an individual way. Past personal experiences influence how a person responds to the myth or story. Reading, listening and responding to a myth or story allows the student to communicate to others in a creative way what they know. All of these processes involve science thinking processes of observing, inferring, predicting, comparing, analyzing and communicating. They also involve 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 prediction, response, story map, retelling, or comparison of the myth or story.

3......Student is able to communicate a prediction, response, or retelling of the story in their own words.

2......Student is able to communicate a response or retelling of the story in their own words.

1......Student is only able to communicate a retelling of at least some of the myth or story.

EXTENSIONS:

1. Story Sheet or Picture: Have the students write or draw about what they noticed in the story and how they felt when they listened to or read the story.

What did they notice?
What feelings did they have when reading it?
How does the story remind you of your life?

2. Predict a story outcome:

Look at the cover, title, picture, or first paragraph of the myth of the story and answer the questions.
Tell what will happen in the story.
Write or draw a picture about your version of the myth based on the clues you see or hear about in the cover, title, picture or first paragraph.

3. Make a response journal.
Read or listen to a myth or story.
Record or draw the recording of your feelings and thoughts about the story or myth.
Communicate and share your journal entry with a friend or with the teacher.
Make a journal cover and art work for your records.
Journal topics: (write and/or draw)
  • Describe the setting. Where does it take place?
  • Describe what is happening in the story.
  • What do you think will happen next?
  • How do you think the story will end?
  • Who are the characters?
  • Which character do you like best? Least?
  • Does the main character remind you of someone?
  • How do you feel about the main character?
  • Is there a problem in the myth or story?
  • How do you think it will be solved? How would you solve it?
  • What have you learned from the story?

4. In a group or individually, make a story map which will show that the student can recognize and analyze the parts of the myth or story.

Read the myth or story.
Make a picture map or diagram about the following:
  • What is the title of the myth?
  • Who is the author?
  • Who is the author?
  • Who are the main characters?
  • Who are the supporting characters?
  • What is the setting?
  • What is the problem?
  • What are the solutions?
  • What is the high point of the story?
  • How did the story end?
  • What vocabulary is necessary to know for this myth?

5. In a group or individually, have the student predict comparisons. They can analyze similarities and differences between their predictions and the outcome of the author.

Make a Venn Diagram or a story map using your prediction and the author's actual outcome of the myth or story.
In the middle shape record the common things about your prediction and the author's story.
In the outside shapes, record the things that were different between your prediction and the author's version.
Variation:
  • Make a story map or Venn Diagram relating to the similarities and differences with the characters.
Last modified: Sun May 25 16:43:44 PST 1997