What Is A Myth?
A myth is a story with a purpose. It tries to explain the way the worlds is . Myths also try
to explain the relationship between gods and humans. Even though the events in a myth are
usually impossible they try to send a message that has an important social or religious
meaning. As sacred stories, myths are often endorsed by rulers and priests and closely
linked to religion.
Why study myths?
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We can better understand the feelings and attitudes that bind society together.
We can compare myths of various cultures to discover how these cultures differ
and how they resemble one another.
To understand why people behave the way they do.
It has provided material for the world’s greatest art.
Myths and mythological characters have inspired masterpieces of architecture,
music, painting and sculpture.
What Is A Legend?
A very old story or set of stories from ancient times, or the stories, not always true, that
people tell about a famous event or person:
It is an old story that has been passed down generations to generations usually by oral
traditions. These stories are unlikely true. Sometimes the details are difficult to confirm,
but usually the story names people and identifies locations. The person telling the story
usually does not claim to be an eyewitness to the events, but heard it from someone who
knows someone who heard it from someone who was really there... Legends often contain a
moral or a lesson and are told to uphold the values of the community . They often involve
supernatural or religious elements.
Sample Genre Titles
Myths
1) Douglas Wood. The Windigo’s Return. (1996) Simon and Scuster Books For Young
Readers.
Something unexplainable is happening in the North Woods, the
land of the Ojibwe. One by one everyone is disappearing. Into
the forest without a trace. One of the elders blames the Windigo,
a terrible giant who can transform himself into anything he wants,
the better to capture his victims. No one can imagine how to defeat
this fearsome creature , until a young girl named Morning Star
comes up with a plan. But the Windigo threatens a terrible plan.
2) Hal Ober. How Music Came To The World. (1994) Houghton Mifflin Company.
This book is a retelling of a Mexican myth that is passed through
many centuries of pre His-panic culture, in which the wind god and
the sky god put aside their traditional rivalry to bring music to
the world, is illustrated in striking oil pastels that reflect the
motifs of many Mexican cultures.
3) Rosen Michael. How The Animals Got Their Colors.
-This story is focuses on how the animals got their stripe? How did the tiger
get its stripes? What turned the dancing brolga bird gray? And where did the
coyote have yellow eyes? The language of the book is simple to read and the
wonderful illustrations make this book appealing.
4) Conolly Peter. The Legend Of Odysseus. (1986) Oxford University Press.
5) Helen Cheery and Kenneth McLeish. In the Beginning. Creation Myths From
Around The World. (1984) Lomgman.
6) Livesey Robert. Faces Of Myths. (1995) Webcom Limited.
7) Miriam, Hodgson. (1983). A Touch Of Gold. Stories from the Greek Myths.
Metheun Childrens Books.
8) Pilling Ann. The Kingfisher Treasury of Myths and Legends. (1993) Kingfisher
Boston.
Legends
1) Barbara Esbensen. (1988) The Star Maiden Charles Gipplin Publishers.
This story is about a star that came from over the hilltops and settled in one spot.
One night the chief decided to let some of braves to go and have see this bright
star, and to come back to tell everyone what they saw. When they came back they
said they saw something silvery and sparkly. The next night one of the young braves
had a dream, the sparkly thing was a maiden. She was tired of hanging over the sky,
she wanted to live on earth. The next day the brave told the chief about the dream.
They welcomed the star maiden. She took the form of two flowers, but wasn't
satisfied. The next night the star maiden called her sisters the stars to come live
with her in the lake. The next day the Indian people came outside and were
hundreds of water lilies, that was where the star maiden would stay
2) Verna Aardena Why Mosquitoes Buzz In People’s Ears. (1976) Dial Books For Young
Readers.
This story takes place in a jungle. It's about a mosquito that was annoying an
iguana and how all of the animals were affected by it. The moral of the story is
don't lie, because when you lie you just get in more trouble.
3) Bram Stoker’s Dracula Book has been a significant part of many literary genres
like horror fiction, gothic novel, and Vampire literature. The legend of Dracula
originated from the remote castle of Transylvania on the Carpathian Mountains.
The tyrant ruler, Vlad III Draculae was believed to be the forefather of
Vampires, popularly known as “The Dracula”. Dracula was known to survive many
generations and gain supernatural strength power by sucking the blood from his
victims .
4) Field Susan. Irish Fairy Tales and Legends. (1996) Orchard Books.
5) Ker Wilson. Scottish Folktales and Legends (1954) Oxford University Press
6) Shiu L Kong. Fables and Legends from Ancient China. (1985) The University Of
Toronto Press.
7) Una Leavy. The Orchard Book of Irish Fairy Tales And Legends. (1996) Orchard
Books
Characteristics of Myths Given the cautions (above) about how much the definition of
myth has been debated and written about, take the following characteristics of myth in
the spirit in which they are intended: general guidelines gleaned from what many people
have noticed as often being true of myths.
1. Characters are often non-human – e.g. gods, goddesses, supernatural beings, first people.
2. Hero has a fatal flow?
3. Adventures of a hero.
4. Lesson in the story for the reader.
5. A woman responsible for causing a problem.
6. Functional: “Charter for social action” – conveys how to live: assumptions, values,
core meanings of individuals, families, communities.
7. Evokes the presence of Mystery, the Unknown (has a “sacred” tinge).
8. Intervention of gods .
9. Supernatural-performing some superhuman task
10. Metaphoric, narrative consideration/explanation of “ontology” (study of being). Myths
seek to answer, “Why are we here?” “Who are we?” “What is our purpose?” etc. – life’s
fundamental questions.
11. Sometimes not always a happy ending.
Characteristics in Legends.
1) Is an old story that has been passed down generations to generations usually by
oral traditions. These stories are unlikely true. Sometimes the details are
difficult to confirm, but usually the story names people and identifies locations.
2) The person telling the story usually does not claim to be an eyewitness to the
events, but heard it from someone who knows someone who heard it from someone
who was really there... Legends often contain a moral or a lesson and are told to
uphold the values of the community . They often involve supernatural or religious
elements.
3) Legends are set in the present, or in historical past.
4) They tend to distort truth based on events or real people.
5) Legendary heroes also have exaggerated attributes for example good and evil.
6) Every society produces legends that that constitute unofficial folk history by
reflecting attitudes and values of the group that creates them.
Author Information
Ann Pilling’s other books include:
1) A Kingfisher Treasury Of Bible Stories , Poems and Prayers For BedTime,
illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton.
2) A Child’s Treasury Of Nursery Rhymes, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton.
3) In The Light Of the Moon & Other Bed Time Stories. illustrated by Kady
MacDonald Denton.
4) Catnapper’s illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton.
Author Information
Douglas Wood’s other books include:
Old Turtle- winner 0f 1993 American Bookseller’s Association and the International
Reading Association’s Book Of The Year Award.
Paddle Whispers
Minnesota: The Spirit Of The Land.
Northwood Cradle Song
Old Turtle and the broken Trut.
The Secret Saying of Thanks
A Quiet Place
What Dad’s Can’t Do
What Teacher’s Can’t Do
Grandad’s Prayers Of The Earth
What Mom’s Can’t Do
Nothing To Do
Fawn Island
Making The World
Websites and contact information
1) http:// www.pbs.org/myths and hereoes?myths_what.html
In Search of Myths & Heroes . Myths | PBS Read the four myths that inspired
Michael Wood to embark on his journey:The Queen of Sheba, the earthly paradise
of Shangri-La, King Arthur and Jason and the Argonauts.
2) http://greece.mrdonn.org/
This is an ideal website for teachers’ and students to use at the elementary panel
when doing a unit on Ancient Civilizations.
There is free interactive Greek Games and Activities on line. It also covers the
seven wonders of the Ancient World, a free presentation in power point format for
Ancient Greece, Free lesson plans and classroom activities teachers and free clip
art.
3) http://www.lessonplanspage.com/
A convenient website for teachers to use when covering myths in grades seven and
eight. It also includes special features such as efficient reading teaching using 2.0 ,
and teacher discussions.
This website has also other lessons plans that can be covered in the curriculum
during the school year at the elementary level.
4) http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSLAGreekCreationMythAndTimeline6.htm
A Lesson Plans Page lesson plan, lesson idea, thematic unit, or activity in Social
Studies and called The Greek Creation Myths grades K-12.
5) http://www2.scholastic.com/
View lesson plans, booklists, and educational products for children grades Pre-K to
12. Classroom materials include online activities for kids, printables, and author
interviews. A great source to be used when introducing myths to the class.
6) http://www.mythweb.com/teachers/learning/wrath/index.html.
This website covers lesson plans and activities in mythology from grade three to
eight.
It also provides an interactive game mythology game for students to engage, an
introduction to Greek myths, and teacher material to assist in teaching in this
course.
7) http://lessonplanet.com
A website that covers myths and legends in the elementary and secondary panel in
lesson planning format.
8) http://www.edhelper.com/math.htm
An website tool that enables teacher across the curriculum develop lesson plans
based on their topics as well as provide teacher resources to structure their lesson
planning.
9) http://lessonplancentral.com/lessons/Social_Studies/World_Cultures/index1.htm
A set of lesson plans that assist teachers in teaching myths and folktales to
students in the elementary level for grades five and six.
10) http://www.instructorweb.com/les/groundhogday.asp
This website helps to study legends in primary grades from 3 to four. Groundhog
day lesson plan February holiday celebration theme unit history primary teaching
information reading comprehension learning elementary students education kids
resources ...
11) http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/MonsonUnits/JacWei/indian.html
Students will become familiar with the legend of the five kernels that will then be
tied in the theme of health and nutrition. (Grades 3to4)
12) tp://bookwizard.scholastic.com/tbw/viewWorkDetail.do?workId=1986&
This is a retelling of an old Mexican folktale about the origin of poinsettias. A
lesson plan to the book follows. In Mexico and many parts of Central America,
people celebrate La Posada during the nine days before Christmas. This lesson helps
children understand how people might celebrate the Christmas holiday during the
same time as they do, but in a different way.
Grades (Pre K-K)
Related Resources
1) Artman John. Ancient Greece Independent Learning Unit. For Grades 4-8. 1991
(Frank Schaeffer Publications.
2) http://school.discoveryeducation.com
Segment three : Mythology: Homer’s Odyssey (Elementary)
Follow the thrilling adventures of Odysseus as students explore the Greek’s
relationship with their gods and why mythology was so important to them.
There is also a teachers’ guide for additional resources and in depth materials.
3) http://www.social-studies.ca/
This webpage provides beginner teacher’s with tips for teaching mythology.
John Fines. Teaching Ancient Greece. (1997) The Nuffield Publication.
This teaching manual covers teaching Ancient Greece at the Primary and
Intermediate Schools and covers a section on myths.
4) Sally Elding. Ideas Bank Ancient Greece. Grades 4-6 (1993) Folens Publishers.
Ideas Bank book provides teachers with ready to use, photocopiable activity pages
for their students plus of ideas for extension and development.
5) Stories from the Seventh Fire The Four Seasons Winter. VHS- Students can
be introduced to the topic of legends by watching a television program Why the
Rabbit Turns White and The Legend of The Spirit Bear through the oral strong
traditions, the art of storytelling renews interest and tells us how to live in
harmony with Mother Earth. (Grades 3-4)
Curriculum links
Ancient Civilizations (integrated units) Grades 5 and 6
Myths
(Observing A Civilization In Action)
Students watch a video on an ancient civilization and they record what was learned.
In groups they retell what was learned
(Writing)
In small groups students analyse and list the characteristics of myths.
Through teacher-led discussion , students come to understand how myths reflect the
beliefs of a civilization.
Students communicate their learning through a Retell Relate, and Reflect response
and share with a partner.
(Language Arts)
Examine art prints from ancient times in order to learn about art as a storyteller.
After reflecting on what art reveals about the people that created it, they will
create a storyboard and a piece art that retell a myth from civilization they are
studying.
(Geography)
Map the boundaries of an ancient civilization , the bodies of water, and a connection
between location and its potential effect on life in the civilization.
(Cultural Connections)
Write a myth or legend story in groups and present to class.
(Drama)
Perform short dramatic presentations based on a character they studied in myths
and legends.
Extension ideas
Civilizations
(Social Studies)
Create an artifact to meet an identified need for civilization they are studying.
(Art)
Research various types of masks used by selected cultures.
Discuss the importance and meaning of the mask .
Design, create, and decorate a three-dimensional mask.
Culminating Activity
Create a wall ancient civilization museum featuring their work.
Make glove puppets and create their own show myth and present to primary grades.
Ann Pilling
Biography
Award-winning Ann Pilling has won rave reviews for her original and effective fiction
for young people. She has often chosen to tackle tough themes, ranging from oneparent families in HENRY'S LEG to the IRA in STAN. In doing so, Pilling never
succumbs to being worthy or depressing, preferring to provide an injection of hope
and a positive ending.
THE BASICS
Born: Warrington, Cheshire, October 17th 1944
Jobs: English Teacher until 1972
Lives: Oxford
First Book: Black Harvest, 1983
THE BOOKS
"I knew from the beginning that books and words were a kind of life-blood," says Ann
Pilling. She describes her family home as "groaning with books" and remembers "my
mother sat by the fire and read us poems... Goblin Market, The Forsaken Merman,
The Lady of Shalott. The miracle of words quite carried me away. I was writing my
own stories and poems by the time I was eight."
Books by Ann Pilling include the following:
Books For Younger Readers
The Donkey's Day out
Dustbin Charlie
Dustbin Charlie Cleans Up
The Beast in the Basement
No Guns, No Oranges
The Baked Bean Kids
Collections for Younger Readers
The Kingfisher Children's Bible
Who Laid the Cornerstone of the World?
Why Bear has a stumpy tail and Other Creation Stories
Ghost Novels (10 upwards)
The Beggar's Curse
The Witch of Lagg
Black Harvest
Black Harvest (play version with Nigel Gray)
The Empty Frame
Contemporary Novels (10 upwards)
The Year of the Worm
Henry's Leg
Our Kid
Amber's Secret
Something to Do With Love
About Douglas Wood
Author, illustrator, musician, composer, naturalist, wilderness guide. . . it is hard to pin a
label on Douglas Wood. Many know him best from his classic such as Old Turtle and
Grandad’s Prayers Of earth. Others may familiar with him from his CD’S or concerts, or
key note presentations around the country. To visit his home page and appearance schedule
visit the following webpage below.
www.douglaswood.com/
GENRE STUDY
STOREFRONT PRESENTATIONS
JIM STARFAS
LIBRARIANSHIP PART ONE
THURSDAY JUNE 4TH 2009
CINDY MATTHEWS
ANN PEREZ
14 PAGES