Creation Myths Mini Unit With PBL

Description

Explore creation myths from around the world in this culturally-sustaining unit with PBL. Students experience at least 3 creation myths (provided) before choosing a story they would like to research and share with an audience via a medium of their choice.

This unit can be taught in the classroom, via distance learning, or for hybrid learning. While 3 myths are provided, you can replace any of the stories with your own texts – I provide many options and alternatives in the teaching notes to make finding the right texts as efficient as possible.

Timing

Including reading sessions, learning activities, assessments, and publishing student artifacts, I spend around 10 days in total on this unit but you can extract stand-alone lessons or extend the unit simply by exploring a greater number of myths.

This resource contains:

⏩ Digital student notebook to collect responses and access key materials

⏩ Introductory activities to focus students and do an emotional check-in

⏩ Link to a curated collection of 55+ online myths & audiobooks

⏩ Additional links for students to access engaging mythological tales online

⏩ 2 ‘this or that’ writing prompts offering students choice

⏩ Online quizzes to review basic mythology-related terms with a range of game options

⏩ A graphic organiser for students to compare myths

⏩ 3 creation myth texts – Big Bang (video & transcript), Japan (original prose), and Australia (original poem)

⏩ Embedded videos to enrich and support understanding

⏩ 28+ fully editable slides that can be separated into individual lessons

⏩ A PBL project for an authentic audience of each student’s choice

⏩ PBL planning document

⏩ PBL rubric – fully editable

⏩ 2 examples of students’ PBL project outcomes

⏩ Bonus resources linked in a separate file

⏩ Google Form template for reflection and feedback

⏩ Full and detailed teaching notes offering alternatives and guidance throughout

⏩ Answer keys and student samples for all handouts

Almost everything in this unit is editable so you can adjust it to the needs of your students.

Tried and Tested

I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge, from those who are below to those who are above grade level. I only list materials that have been successful and I always collect feedback from my students to ensure high engagement and rigour.

These resources are part of a series that aims to widen your students’ (and perhaps your) familiarity with myths beyond the traditional Greek and Roman ones taught in Western classrooms. While these materials can be used with Greco-Roman stories, they do not start from a particular cultural perspective and are open enough to use with any pantheon or selection of texts. The series in its entirety will provide approaches, activities and myth texts (many of which have been commissioned for this unit). The ‘pick and mix’ approach, guidance and suggestions mean you can design the learning experience that bests suits your students.

Make the World a Better Place As You Teach!

Review why introducing our students to experiences beyond their own cultural domain might be important in these blog posts:

• Windows and Mirrors – Culturally Sensitive Education
• Mythology in the Culturally-Responsive Classroom

Need support with this or any other tech tools? I’m here for you, as a Google Certified Educator, with or without a purchase.