Bringing Myths To Life
A curriculum module from Summer Institute for Educators participant, Lynn Bertucci
Published: Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Topic : Bringing Myths to Life
Subject: Language Arts
Duration of Lesson:
Grade Level: 5th
Rationale: Students will learn some African myths about creation and gods and mortals, and will add these to their repertoire of myths from other countries.
Objectives:
- Define /explain what a myth is
- Give an example ofa myth (ex: "How Native Americans Got Buffalo"-read in 3rd grade and perhaps myths popular in their native countries)
- Learn about the power some myths have: (ex: from Helen Mugambi's session- belief inspired by myth about Kintu, and held in parts of Africa today, that women should not eat eggs or chicken because it could cause death of their children)
- Work cooperatively in a small group to read myth, analyze characters/actions,demonstrate comprehension of material, and summarize
- Learn new vocabulary
- Learn about cultures in some African countries
- Work with small group to tell myth to whole class via dramatic presentation
- Locate Africa on world map and fmd countries where class-told myths originated
- Work with cooperative group to apply what they've learned in order to create a new(original) myth that they will then present to class.
- Become acquainted with some styles of African music
- As an extension activity (art/social science), students will, in their groups, do body painting using symbols representing items in African myths.
