Overview and Background: Unit: Mythconception

Peggy Jones : Cheney USD 268

Language Arts. Social Studies. : Language Arts : Greek mythology

Cheney : Grades 6 - 6 : Aug. - Jun.

Title:	Mythconception
Topics:	Greeks, mythology, culture
Time Frame:	3 weeks
Start Date:	-
Status:	Revised
Date Revised:

Other Designers:

Summary:
Students will read a variety of Greek myths. They will discuss lessons the Greeks learned from these myths, focusing on how these lessons are still relevant today. Students will work in groups to role-play mythological characters, solving common problems. Students will write heroic want-ads and speeches for nominating an heroic character. The student will write his/her own heroic myth illustrating a virtue.

Print Materials Needed:
Textbook: Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes, Copper Level. Houghton Mifflin Co. Write Source 2000.

Resources:
Video of Superman

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1:http://www.cheney268.com/MSCom/Jones/GreekMyth.htm

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

State:	KS       1:1:1, 1:1:11, & 1:4:2; 2:9:1; 3:1:1
Title:	Reading, Writing, Literature Genres
Standard(s):	Reading 1:1:1 - Learners demonstrate skill in reading a variety of materials for a variety of purposes. Reading 1:1:11 - Readers comprehend whole pieces of literature, making inferences from text and comparing and contrasting ideas and concepts. Reading 1:4:2 - Readers use what he/she already knows about the topic to understand what he/she is reading , applying prior knowledge to make connections with the text. Writing 2:9:1 - Learners write for a variety of purposes writing descriptive pieces. Literature Genres 3:1:1 - Learners demonstrate knowledge of literature from a variety of cultures and the effects of these cultures on literature.

Understandings:
user	The past influences the present.

Essential Questions:
User	How does Greek mythology reflect as well as shape culture today? How do myths reflect the virtues that society values? To what extent do human characteristics lead to failure? To success? How do people explain what they don't understand?

Knowledge and Skills:

K
Cultural contributions of the Greeks.
Functions of myths
Why Greeks passed myths on
Virtues that Greeks valued

S
Read and interpret Greek myths
Discuss collaboratively in small groups
Write creatively

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

Assessment Summary:
Students will take on the role of an historian. Looking at our culture, students will create a modern day myth illustrating one of the virtues that Greek culture valued that is still valued today. In the myths, students will explain the influences Greeks mythology has on current society.

Key Criteria: The student-authored myth will be creative, entertaining, organized, well-crafted, and will illustrate Greek values.

Other Evidence: Role-playing discussions, interviews of heroic mythological characters. Written characterizations of modern-day heroes, student-written heroic want-ads. Quizzes, vocabulary activities.

Task/Prompt: Myth Writer

Type: Performance Task

Topics: Greeks, mythology, culture

Summary:
Students will take on the role of an historian. Looking at our culture, students will create a modern day myth illustrating one of the virtues Greek culture valued that is still valued today. In the myths, students will explain the influences Greeks mythology has on current society.

Print Materials Needed:

Resources:

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1: http://
Link 2: http://
Link 3: http://
Link 4: http://
Link 5: http://

Notes:

Student Directions:
You are a modern day historian. Create a myth set in today's world that illustrates a virtue of Greek society that we still value in today's society. Some examples are obedience, responsibilities, and resisting temptation.

Your myth should be creative, entertaining, organized, well-crafted, and illustrate Greek values.

Other assessment evidence to be collected:

Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

Learning Activities:

W
KWL chart on Greeks and their myths

H
Show a video clip of Superman. Have students brainstorm a list of contemporary heroes (imaginary and real). Students create a list of common characteristics of the heroes.

E
1. Teacher provides a mini-lesson in Greek gods and goddesses. Relate feats of the gods and goddesses to student generated list of heroic qualities. Explain how qualities of heroes usually reflect cultural values.
2. Students read three Greek myths, "Arachne," "Orpheus," and "The Gorgon's Head" from their text.
3. Students role-play a debate from "Orpheus."
4. Students write a portrait of a modern hero.
5. Students write a help-wanted ad that describes the kind of hero needed to solve the problem in "The Gorgon's Head."
6. With partners, students conduct an interview with Perseus. They will write out the questions based on details in the myth.
7. Students write an award speech for someone who deserves to be nominated as a hero.

R
Students present their speeches, interviews, and debates to the class. Classmates will work in groups to evaluate peers and discuss their findings.

E
Students will compose a modern day myth utilizing heroic characterization techniques discussed throughout the unit. Students will self-assess their performance activities and their own myths.

Notes: