Overview

A three-day interactive unit on Creation Myths, connecting Greek mythology with myths from another culture, designed for 9th-grade students. This unit focuses on critical reading, comparative analysis, discussion, and presentation skills, using the website www.bigmyth.com as a primary resource.

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Standards Addressed

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) – English Language Arts:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1
  Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.2
  Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.3
  Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, and how they are introduced and developed.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1
  Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.9
  Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

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Day 1: Myth Exploration & Inquiry

Objective

Students will explore Greek and one other culture’s creation myths, gather information from www.bigmyth.com, and begin identifying similarities and differences using a graphic organizer.

Materials

• Computers/tablets (1 per 2 students)
• Projector/smartboard
• Creation Myths Graphic Organizer (worksheet) – includes sections for culture, myth name, main characters, creation elements, themes, and vocabulary
• Guided exploration question handout
• Teacher-created slideshow introducing Creation Myths and Greek mythology context

Activities

1. Introduction & Engagement (10 minutes)

• Teacher introduces the concept of creation myths and their importance across cultures using a brief slideshow.
• Emphasize connection to Greek mythology and introduce www.bigmyth.com as a resource.
• Ask students: “Why do you think cultures created myths to explain the origins of the world?” and “What purposes might these stories serve?”
• Show brief demo navigating www.bigmyth.com highlighting how to find Greek myth and selecting another culture (e.g., Egyptian, Norse, or Native American).

2. Partner Exploration & Inquiry (20 minutes)

• Students work in pairs to explore two chosen creation myths: one Greek myth and one from the second culture.
• Using guided questions, pairs complete the graphic organizer gathering key information about the myths.
• Teacher circulates, prompting students to think deeply and helping with tech issues.

3. Group Share & Discussion (10 minutes)

• Bring class together for a whole-group discussion.
• Selected pairs share interesting discoveries and questions.
• Teacher helps students start identifying differences and similarities using large chart paper or whiteboard.

Homework

• Students write three questions or insights they had while exploring the myths to bring to Day 2.

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Day 2: Comparative Analysis & Deeper Understanding

Objective

Students will analyze and compare two creation myths in detail, applying critical thinking skills to identifying themes, cultural values, and narrative structure.

Materials

• Completed graphic organizers from Day 1
• Comparative Analysis Worksheet (Venn diagram style, with sections to analyze themes, characters, symbols, and cultural values)
• Teacher-prepared prompt sheet for discussion and deeper analysis
• Access to www.bigmyth.com for reference

Activities

1. Review & Question Discussion (10 minutes)

• Begin by reviewing key ideas from Day 1.
• Students share homework questions and teacher facilitates discussion to clarify and deepen thinking.

2. Comparative Group Work (20 minutes)

• In pairs (or small groups), students use the Comparative Analysis Worksheet to:
  • Compare and contrast the two myths in terms of themes, character roles, creation elements, and cultural values.
  • Note any narrative structures or storytelling techniques unique to each myth.
• Teacher encourages citing textual evidence from the website or the graphic organizers.

3. Peer Teaching Prep (10 minutes)

• Each pair prepares to teach part of their analysis to the class.
• Teacher models how to present key points clearly and engage classmates with a question or mini-activity.

Homework

• Refine comparative analysis based on peer feedback and teacher guidance in class.

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Day 3: Peer Teaching & Synthesis

Objective

Students will present their comparative analyses, synthesize learning, and complete a reflective summary about the influence of creation myths.

Materials

• Peer Teaching Presentation Rubric
• Presentation flipchart or slides (optional, tech-dependent)
• Reflection Worksheet – prompts for summary and personal insight
• Graphic organizers and comparative worksheets available for reference

Activities

1. Peer Teaching Presentations (25 minutes)

• Each pair presents their findings to a small group or the whole class, depending on time and setup.
• Presentations should include: myth summaries, key comparisons, cultural insights, and at least one engaging question or discussion starter for peers.
• Teacher and students use Rubric to provide positive and constructive feedback.

2. Reflection & Synthesis (10 minutes)

• Students individually complete the Reflection Worksheet addressing:
  • What surprised them about the myths?
  • How do these myths reflect the values or worldview of their cultures?
  • What did they learn about storytelling and myth-making?

3. Closing Discussion (5 minutes)

• Whole class briefly shares reflections.
• Teacher connects learning to Greek mythology unit’s next steps or broader thematic questions about myth in society.

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Graphic Organizers & Worksheets Overview

Creation Myths Graphic Organizer

• Culture Name
• Myth Title
• Main Characters
• Creation Elements (e.g., creation of earth, sky, humans)
• Themes (order vs. chaos, power, family)
• Key vocabulary/terms with definitions

Comparative Analysis Worksheet (Venn diagram format plus notes section)

• Theme similarities & differences
• Character roles & relationships
• Cultural values depicted
• Storytelling/narrative structure elements

Reflection Worksheet

• What did you learn?
• How do these myths reflect cultural beliefs?
• Personal takeaway or question to explore further

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Peer Teaching Rubric (Sample)

Criteria	4 - Exceeds	3 - Meets	2 - Approaching	1 - Needs Improvement
Content Accuracy	Information is accurate and thorough	Mostly accurate with minor errors	Some inaccuracies or gaps	Lacks accuracy or important details
Clarity of Presentation	Clear, engaging, well-organized	Generally clear and organized	Some unclear points or disorganization	Disorganized or confusing
Use of Evidence	Strong textual support from myths	Appropriate evidence provided	Minimal or weak evidence	No or irrelevant evidence
Peer Engagement	Actively involves peers with questions or activities	Occasionally involves peers	Minimal effort to engage peers	No peer engagement
Time Management	Presentation fits time and pacing perfectly	Mostly fitting time guidelines	Slightly rushed or too slow	Poor timing

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WOW Elements for Teachers

• Interactive Website Exploration: The use of www.bigmyth.com provides authentic research experience and multimedia access to diverse myths.
• Peer Teaching: Students become “experts” and deliver mini-lessons, promoting ownership and verbal articulation skills.
• Graphic Organizers: Scaffolded tools to support analytical thinking and note-taking, accessible to diverse learners.
• Rubric Transparency: Rubric ensures fair grading and clear expectations, encouraging self-assessment and reflection.
• Critical Thinking Focus: Students analyze narrative structures, themes, and cultural meanings beyond surface-level summaries.
• Collaborative Learning: Varied forms of teamwork encourage communication and cooperative inquiry.
• Reflection & Metacognition: Students connect myths to broader human questions and their own insights, deepening engagement.

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This detailed plan aligns with the Common Core for reading, analysis, discussion, and written reflection, designed to engage 9th graders in a rich, hands-on mythology unit, preparing them for deeper literature study ahead.