TITLE: Making Myths Based on Art Images

SUBJECT: English - Short Story

TEKS:

6.1 A, C  6.4 A, B, C 6.11 A, B, D 6.12 A, B, E 6.15 D, E, G 6.16 A, B, C, D E, F  6.17 B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I.

OBJECTIVE:

Students will write a myth that is suggested by a specific work of art. The story will display the students knowledge of writing conventions, elements of a story, and descriptive writing. Students will also explore the connections between oral traditions and their own cultural development.

MATERIALS:

• See image below

Patrick Nagatani, Bats Flying

IMPLEMENTATION:

1.  Discuss myths, mythic heroes, and oral traditions with students.

2.  Have the class read a variety of short myths. See suggested myths above.

3.  Have the class brainstorm possible myths. (Why does the elephant have a long trunk?  Where did the first rainbow come from?  Why does the sun set in the west? You might also discuss mythic heroes.)

4.  Present several images from Image Resources to the students and have them write a myth about one of the images.

5. If computers are available,  have the students create Hyperstudio stories or illustrate and type their myths in a word processing program.

SUGGESTED MYTHS:

Japanese Mythology

The First Eclipse: (http://www.pantheon.org/mythica/articles/0/rahu.html)

African Mythology

Why Bats Fly At Night

Greek Mythology

The Gorgons Head: (http://www.pantheon.org/mythica/articles/g/gorgons.html)

Perseus: (http://www.pantheon.org/mythica/articles/p/perseus.html)