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 exchange
ideas about it in a group.
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.
1. Select some of the myths from this Web textbook.
2. Read the myth for 5 minutes.
3. Evaluate the myth or story based on:
Myth title
Location of the story
My interest rating (1-10)
My notes about the myth (or a picture about it.)
My choice (1, 2 or 3)
4. Exchange myths with someone else in your group.
5. Repeat the process until you have reviewed 2-5 more myths.
6. Discuss your first, second and third choices with the group.
7. Present your findings to the whole class.
WHY?
Evaluating things we read is one way we learn. Sharing that
evaluation with others gives an opportunity to preview more than
one item quickly. Communicating and sharing with others
stimulates interest in the literature of mythology. By having
an exchange of ideas in a group, a fun, nurturing environment for
communication is created. Sharing ideas effectively is important
in the science thinking process. Observing, inferring,
hypothesizing, formulating ideas and communicating them are all
involved when students are sharing ideas in a group setting.
Critical thinking processes that take place are 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 response, retelling, review,
comparison and evaluation of the myth or story.
3......Student is able to communicate a response, retelling, and
review and comparison of the myth or story.
2......Student is able to communicate a response, retelling and
review of the myth or story.
1......Student is only able to communicate a response and retelling
of the myth or story.
EXTENSIONS:
1. Club Circle: General ideas
Sit in a circle of 3-5 students who are going to share
the same myth or story.
Share what they think (prediction) will happen in the
myth.
Share why this myth or story was chosen.
Decide how many pages to read for the next meeting or
which myth will be read for next time.
Draw a picture or write about the myth in a journal.
Bring the journal or picture to the next meeting and
discuss your ideas about the myth.
2. Club Circle: Myth elements
Brainstorm basic elements of any story or myth:
Predictions, clues to what will happen.
Setting of the myth, time period.
Characters: main, supporting, common elements.
Plot: problems, problem solving by characters.
Conclusion: Does the ending make sense? How could it be
changed? If you wrote a sequel what would it be like?
Mood: scenes in the myth that make you laugh, sad
exciting scenes.
How did the scenes make you feel?
Share what attracted you to the myth or story.
Predict with the group what will happen in the myth.
Discuss with the group what the next myth or story will
be.
