TITLE: Creative Writing: Greek Mythology, Legends and Heroes

ENGLISH: Short Story

TEKS:

8.8 C 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.22 8.23

OBJECTIVE:

Students demonstrate understanding regarding the effect of background and culture by creating a family tree and "mythical" story or legend based on Delmas Howe's painting Atlas.

MATERIALS:

• Background on Atlas
• Atlas (Titan) Family Tree
• Information on Delmas Howe
• See image below

IMPLEMENTATION:

1. Present information about the Titan, Atlas
2. Discuss family trees and how ancestors can influence lives.
3. Discuss how location can influence lifestyles.
4. Compare picture of Titan, Atlas, and Howe's painting of a Texan Atlas.
5. Have students create a family tree.
6. Have students write a "mythical" story or legend focused on the Texan Atlas reflecting the Texas culture.

VARIATIONS:

1. This lesson plan would fit in with a study on Greek Mythology, legends, or heroes.
2. Study of cloud formation and weather in the Panhandle.
3. Study of the Texas farmer or rancher and how this compares with farmers from another area of the country.
4. Students could write a personal journal for the cowboy in the picture reflecting on his lifestyle, concerns, and joys based on knowledge about Texas culture.
5. Study the constellations and the stories behind them. The daughters of Atlas, the seven Pleiades, are believed to have formed a constellation in the sky. Design a Texan constellation.

BACKGROUND ON ATLAS:

Atlas was a Titan known more for his strength than for his intelligence. He was the son of Iaprtus and Clymene, and the father of the Pleids. He fought for Uranus against Zeus. As punishment for the war against Zeus and the gods, Zeus singled him out and made Atlas stand in the far west and hold the sky upon his mighty shoulders. In one account Atlas tricked Hercules into holding the sky for a second while he went to get a golden pomegranate for Hercules. Atlas didn't return, but Zeus found him and forced him to retake the job. He was turned to stone when he was shown a gorgon's head by Perseus. Atlas has become a symbol for anyone who bears a heavy burden.

INFORMATION ON DELMAS HOWE:

Delmas Howe worked in Amarillo from the mid seventies through the late eighties, as an artist, designer, teacher, arts advocate and community volunteer. His activities had far reaching effect on the visual arts history of our area and involved both the private and public sectors.

As a designer, he was instrument in accomplishing such projects as the then newly opened S.P.S. offices in the American Bank Tower, as well as the Amarillo Club in the same building. As a teacher, Delmas inaugurated the Amarillo Museum of Art's adult drawing program. Amazingly, the classes were the 1st to use the traditional nude model. As a painter, Mr. Howe conceived and painted the murals for the Speech and Hearing Center and contributed museums to the Cancer Center. Through this period, Delmas maintained his painting easel efforts with exhibitions in New York and elsewhere. As an art's advocate and community volunteer, Howe served on the Museum's Collections Committee and was part of the Museum's selection team when the Georgia O'Keeffe paintings were added to the museum's collection.