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Thinking about Myth
A myth is a fictional story that explains the existence of a natural phenomenon
— such as where thunder comes from or why snow falls from the sky. Myths
— which often include gods and goddesses and other supernatural characters
who have the power to make extraordinary things happen — are popular even
when people know the actual reasons for natural phenomena. Before you start
writing your own myths, we will read several examples.
“Title of Myth” &
Natural
Phenomenon
Mythological
Explanation
Scientific Explanation
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Brainstorming
Myths are stories that explain a natural phenomenon. Before humans found
scientific explanations for such things as the moon and the sun and rainbows,
they tried to understand them by telling stories. These tales remain popular
today. As you start to think about writing your own myth, try these warm-ups.
They should help you begin to plan your story.
Follow these three steps.
1. Look back to your list of natural phenomena and wonderings
Starter. Choose one to be the subject of your myth. Make it something
that really interests you!
2. Use the Gathering Grid to record what is actual about the
phenomenon or wondering. It helps to know a thing well before trying to
make up a story about it. The old myths were created by poets and storytellers
who were well-acquainted with nature. Find out as much as you can about the
natural phenomenon or wondering that you've chosen. Go to the library or
online to find out what it is scientifically — and read what other storytellers
have said about it. 3. Ask yourself, WHAT IF?
Hop onto your concept and head off into
myth land. This is the point from which you need to start brainstorming! Take
a picture in your mind of what an aspect of the world would be like if certain
events happened. Then use this "what if" strategy to create a story that
explains why the natural phenomenon or answer to your wondering exists. The
story can be as fantastic as you want.
For example, What-if there was a chef to the gods who lived in a
beautiful green countryside but became upset one day because no one
ever complimented his cooking? While wandering around, he sat under one
of those beautiful green trees and wished (always be careful what you wish for
in a myth) that he could somehow make the gods take notice. And suddenly in
front of him was a special pepper grinder that said, "Use me, and you will be
noticed." And so the chef took the pepper grinder and used it that evening as
he was seasoning the gods' stew. But instead of churning out pepper, it ground
out sand — more sand than the chef had ever seen! The sand kept pouring out,
completely covering the beautiful green countryside. And thus the desert came
into existence.
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Your Topic:____________________________________________________
In the box below, begin brainstorming some “what-if…” scenarios that relate
to your subject. Refer to the example about the desert and the pepper grinder
for guidance.
Mandatory:
Complete the Five
W’s Chart in ink. (25 points)
Optional:
Keep a record of what you have observed or read. What are the smells, sights,
and sounds connected to this natural phenomenon? If you are artistic, you
might want to try drawing sketches or painting pictures.
Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Mother Earth's Son
Long ago, when Mother Earth lived by herself, far from her sisters and
brothers, the stars, she was lonely. She was so lonely, she decided to
make a family for herself. So she fell asleep under a blanket of ice, and
when she woke up, she was the mother of a beautiful baby boy.
Now, like all little babies, the little boy was at first easy to handle. He
slept a lot and ate very little, and Mother Earth carried him about on
her back in a sling woven of grass and reeds.
When the baby was tired, she sang to him. "Oh little son of mine, little
baby, the stars who are your uncles and aunts look down and send
sweet dreams. Dreams like sugar cane, like the bees' honey." And he
would fall asleep without a bit of trouble.
But as the boy grew older and began to walk and then to run, he would
sometimes get into trouble. He would fling things around and splash in
puddles. He would take water into his mouth and spit it all over the
place. Then he would laugh and laugh, thinking this mischief was very
funny.
His mother scolded him in all the languages of the earth. She would
say "Little son, kleine mann, toto, mi nino, what are you doing? Do not
treat your mother this way."
Like all children, for the most part he was sorry, and tried hard to be
good. But every once in a while, the mischief in his head got into his
hands and feet and mouth, and then he made a mess. Everywhere.
Today we know this boy by one of his mother's pet names. Have you
figured out yet what it is?
Do you think you know what this is?
The answer is El Niño (Spanish for "the child"), which is a big pool of warm
water that forms in the Pacific Ocean. El Niño happens once every four to
ten winters when strong winds blowing from the northeast push lots of
warm Pacific Ocean water together. The water then generates warm air
that is whipped into the atmosphere. When the winds stop blowing, the big
pool of warm water starts to drift east. El Niño can contribute to flood
conditions across North and South America.
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Starter
Create a list of natural phenomena and wonderings.
Natural Phenomena



A single rainstorm can cause a
flood in the desert
A snowstorm can cover the
ground like an icy blanket
The ocean tide comes in and out
each day
Wonderings
Why is the sky blue?
How does a battleship float?
Can a river catch on fire?
Is it possible for someone to never
sleep, ever, at all?
How do streets get their names?
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Gathering Grid
A gathering grid can help you organize information for a research
report.
 Write your questions in the left hand column
 Write the title of our sources at the top of each column
 Write answers you find
TOPIC
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Source 1
Source 2
Source 3
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Example Gathering Grid
TOPIC:
TORNADOES
twister.com
How do they
form?
National
Geographic
A warm and
a cold front
clash and
make a
supercell.
(p.120)
Where are they
found?
Throughout
the world,
though mostly
in Tornado
Alley in U.S.
(p. 13)
How do they
Wind throws
cause damage? objects; hail
smashes
stuff.
When do they
form?
Tornado!
March
through early
July
Low pressure
rips off roofs.
(p. 122)