Curated OER
Write a Myth
Students explore myths in ancient times. In this mythology lesson, students read or view a video production of a myth to determine specific characteristics of myths. Students work in groups to write a myth that explains an occurrence...
Curated OER
Elements of African Oral Literature
Ninth graders examine the importance of family history. In this Language Arts activity, 9th graders read and discuss African oral literature with a focus on the roles of griots. Students compare /contrast the elements of African oral...
Curated OER
Native American Storytelling
Eleventh graders examine the background of Native American myths and legends. In this American History instructional activity, 11th graders read a myth out loud to their classmates. Students compare and contrast their myths with other...
Curated OER
Make Your Own Constellation Myth
Students examine constellation myths. In this constellation myth lesson, students read "Orion, the Hunter", "Ursa Major, the Great Bear", and Taurus, the Bull". Students discuss similarities and differences in the 3 myths, create...
Curated OER
Fantasies and Myths
Fourth graders examine different types of literature, specifically myths and fantasy. They listen to "The Giving Tree", identify in which genre of literature it belongs, and view several myths on a website. At end of lesson, 4th...
Curated OER
The Gods of Ancient Egypt
Eighth graders research Ancient Egyptian gods and their functions. Using the internet, 8th graders explore Ancient Egyptian history. Using computer technology (Photo Story or PowerPoint), students create a presentation. They explain...
Curated OER
Cultivating Legends
Students research individuals considered to be icons. After reading an article about Sylvia Plath, they create written analyses about them along with visual representations. Students discover the differences between icons and heroes.
Curated OER
Folklore and Culture
Sixth graders explore the four kinds of folklore in this seven instructional activity unit. Through reading a variety of legends, muths, fables, and folklores the concepts pf the lessons are synthesized byStudents.
Curated OER
Legends of the Fifth
Students explore the the legends and myths of the Orient, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas in this six lessons unit. Different cultures and belief systems of the inhabitants of these areas are examined through storytelling techniques.
Curated OER
Teaching Creation Myths
Students examine various creation myths from around the world. They compare/contrast the myths, write their own creation stories, and present their myths to the class in the form of storytelling, role-playing, dance, or a puppet show.
Curated OER
The Myth and the Reality: Pioneering in the Midwest
Students examine the myth and reality of settlement in the Upper Midwest during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Curated OER
Tales of Changing Seasons
Fourth graders create original myths explaining why the seasons change.
Curated OER
A Wappo Legend: The Creation of Man
Third graders read a Wappo creation myth observing the use of symbols or pictures for characters in the story. After discussing the myth, they write their own stories, using pictures for some of the words. They research other creation...
Curated OER
Weather Myths
Fourth graders relate myths to weather phenomenon. They write and illustrated a weather myth and present it to the class.
Emory University
Emory University: Odyssey Online
Odyssey Online is a resource for both students and teachers as they explore world mythology in reading, writing, history, and art classes. Providing sections on Near Eastern, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and African mythology, Odyssey uses...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Myth, Ritual, Symbolism
University course site on symbolism, figurative language, and elements of myth and ritual includes lecture notes, bibliography, and examples of student work submitted as assignments for course credit.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Introduction to Mythology
This is a comprehensive unit introducing mythology including key terms; its basis in traditions, faiths, and values; influences of mythology seen today; four functions of mythology; types of mythology; archtypes and leaders like Jung and...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: If Superpowers Were Real: Invisibility
What if invisibility wasn't just the stuff of epic comic book stories? Is it scientifically possible to be invisible? In this series, creator Joy Lin tackles six superpowers and reveals just how scientifically realistic they can be. [4:33]
Northern Illinois University
Myths From Different Regions of the Philippines
Where did the first monkey come from? Why is the sky so high? Learn how cultures from the Philippines explain these and other world mysteries. The "Origin of Rice" story is in both English and Tagalog.
Other
The University of Wales: Semiotics for Beginners
Click on Denotation, Connotation, and Myth. A discourse in the use of "denotation" and "connotation" as they refer to semiotics and cultural myths.
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Star Wars: The Magic of Myth
Online exhibition relates the original Star Wars film trilogy to the "hero's journey" presented in Joseph Campbell's "Hero With a Thousand Faces" and "The Power of Myth." Originally accompanied an exhibit at the Museum, but now stands...
Other
Enjoying "Hamlet"
Introduction to Shakespeare and "Hamlet." Includes introduction, scene by scene synopsis with elaborate illustrations. Also background information concerning historical Hamlet, Saxo Grammaticus. "Historia Danica," Belleforest's...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Myths, Folktales and Fairy Tales
Collection of folktales, myths, and fairy tales from around the world. Scholastic provides lesson plans and activities to help students understand and even create their own myth, folktale, or fairy tale.
Other
Center for Story and Symbol: Joseph Campbell a Scholar's Life
A biography of Joseph Campbell, a leading academic in the study of myth. Discusses his books and his ideas about myth and folklore. His work was a big influence on filmmaker George Lucas for the screenplay of the first Star Wars movie.