2010 lesson plans by Louise S. McGehee School, New Orleans, Louisiana

Middle School

In addition, in Dan Orth’s 5th grade Louisiana History Class students will be conducting brief research and presentations, in preparation for their art project in Jeanie Osborne’s class, which requires them to create visual representations from the parade based on the theme “Fables of Fire.”

In 6th grade Latin, Gillian Knight’s class is studying the floats that relate directly to Greek or Roman history or mythology. Students are in the process of producing a tri-fold brochure (using Microsoft office Publisher) containing images and researched information about their assigned gods or goddesses.

In Eileen Guillory’s 7th grade World History, students researched deities from around the world. They answered research, questions on mythology and summarized myths that featured their chosen god or goddess. In addition students created visual representations to present to the class, and re-enacted scenes from world myths which they filmed using digital camera technology.

Lower School

In first grade, teachers Claire Adams and Ann Ecuyer, Lauren Lacy, and Anne Summerour are working with students to study various deities in Greek mythology. The students will also be using the program KidPix the create images of deities featured in the parade.

There are 8 floats in this year’s Rex Parade that directly relate to either ancient Greek or Roman history or mythology, and because of this, I thought it would be interesting to research the subjects of the floats and to produce a tri-fold brochure (using Microsoft office Publisher) containing images and researched information about them. Using the internet, the library and some specific sites that I will post on school fusion, research your given topic and select interesting, relevant information to put into your own words and display attractively in brochure form.

The topics are quite diverse, ranging from Prometheus, through Pompeii to the Emperor Nero, but all have one thing in common: fire. Topics will be assigned during class time.

Your brochure should be both informative and creative, mentioning the theme of fire and using artwork (original if possible) to illustrate the subject.

The best brochures may be displayed on the REX website this year and so, as always, it is important to do your best work, proof-read carefully and spend some time thinking how best to illustrate and represent your given theme in brochure format.

Projects will be graded as follows:

Accurate information (written in your own words) 40 pts

Relevance of the information 10 pts

Creative formatting (original artwork preferred) 30 pts

Tri-fold format 10 pts

Bibliography 10 pts

Total possible points 100 pts

Rex Mythology Assignment 2010: Fables of Fire

Purpose: To understand and appreciate the Rex floats in this year’s parade, we will research and discuss fire related deities from various cultures around the world. Each student will complete individual research on one of these gods to present to the class. Individuals will then work with a group to create an image or model and record a brief digital video to share with the class and the community. The video will be used to educate others about the fire gods and goddesses featured in the Rex parade.

Objectives:

In completing the project you should be able to:

• Define mythology
• Explain the purpose of myths
• Discuss comparisons of myths from around the world
• Research topics using books and available technology
• Describe your deity in your own words
• Create a model or drawing of your god or goddess
• Summarize the story of your god or goddess in your own words
• Present research using available digital technology

Part I: What is mythology? Individual work

Explain the meaning of mythology IN YOUR OWN WORDS! Do all cultures have mythology? What do myths from around the world have in common? What is the purpose of myths? You will have to do some research in order to answer these questions. Summarize your findings in a brief paragraph.

Part II: My fire deity… Individual work

Describe your chosen deity in your own words. For example, what does your god or goddess look like? Where in the world was this deity worshipped? In what myth is your god or goddess mentioned? Summarize your research in a paragraph. Discuss a myth in which your god or goddess plays a role. In a brief paragraph, summarize the myth in your own words.

Part III: Create! Group Work

Create a model of your mythological deity. You may use your computer to create the image and tell your myth or you may draw images by hand. You may decide instead to create a model with the materials provided in class. Your work should be original.

Part IV: Tell your story Group Work

Your group will record a brief video about the god or goddess. Give the background information about your god or goddess and retell a myth about your assigned deity in your own words.

Part V: Bibliography Individual Work

You MUST include a bibliography to list the sources you referenced! There are books in the classroom, and sites links for your use. Be prepared to share your findings with the class. Use the MLA format to cite your sources.

Questions for Discussion:

Why do you think so many cultures have myths about fire?

After learning about different fire gods from around the world, can you see any similarities in their stories? Compare and contrast the stories from different gods around the world.

Project Checklist:

______ 1. Mythology Paragraph

______ 2. Deity Description Paragraph

______ 3. Myth Paragraph

______ 4. Original Model or drawing

______ 5. Digital Video Recording

______ 6. Bibliography