What+are+myths?

What are myths? Describe the different types of myths. How might one use myths in the classroom?
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Myths are stories that attempt to explain the mysteries of origins (of the world, of humans, of natural structures), make the unpleasant truths of existence (misfortune, death) more acceptable, or provide guidance on human conduct. Myths evolved as people tried to explain the mysteries of the world in which they lived. They are tales that have been handed down from generation to generation and are often set in a far away time or fanciful place. Animals, gods, or humans can be the main characters. Myths often describe events that happen to the main character and how choices the main character makes affect the outcome. They can be about triumph, tragedy, honor, or being foolish.

All cultures have myths. It is important to understand that a culture’s myths are true within that culture, and are sometime referred to as sacred narratives. These myths or sacred narratives may not have literal truth, but have significance, meaning, and importance to a culture. As the different myths across cultures are examined, similarities can be drawn dividing myths into three basic categories: Creation Myths, Nature Myths, and Hero Myths.

**Creation Myths**

Creation Myths are the myths that attempt to explain the creation of the world, its creatures and the existence of humans. Many creation myths have two unresolvable entities (heaven and earth, dark and light) and events that are out of the normal range of thinking. “The Rainbow Serpent and the Story of Creation,” retold by James Vance Marshall, is an aboriginal tale that explains how life was brought to the Earth. The Rainbow Serpent awoke from her slumber beneath the surface of the Earth, and thinking that “it wasn’t much of a place,” used her magic to make rain, pushed her nose in the Earth creating mountains, hills, and valleys, and woke up the creatures who had been sleeping, bringing life to the Earth. “The Creation,” an Iroquois Creation Myth, a pregnant “Sky Woman” fell through a hole in the Sky World and landed on the back of a great sea turtle. On the sea turtle’s back she planted roots she brought from Sky World and created what is known as Turtle Island. Through events out of normal reason, Creation Myths answer the questions of where the world and its creatures come from.

**Nature Myths**

Nature Myths are stories that explain the formation of natural structures, the characteristics of animals, and other phenomena of nature. “The Girl Who Cried a Lake,” retold by Sally Pomme Clayton, is a tale from Kyrgyzstan that tells of the daughter of a Khan (leader of a tribe) who, so distraught that she was being forced to marry another Khan’s son instead of her true love, cried until she turned into a lake. Her true love discovers that she has become a lake and wishes himself into a mountain so that he could look into the lake forever. This tale describes the creation of Lake Issyk-Kul and the surrounding mountains. “How the Kangaroo Got Her Pouch” is a Australian aboriginal tale that explains that the pouch was a gift that the kangaroo received from the Spirit of the Creator as a reward for being the kindest and gentlest of all animals. These tales give order to the universe and explain why animals, the Earth, and the sky were created the way they were.

**Hero Myths**

The purpose of Hero Myths, unlike Creation and Nature Myths, is not to answer some essential question or solve one of life’s mysteries. This type of myth tells the story of hero. A hero that is celebrated in a myth may not always be of the highest character but had an admirable trait such as strength, resourcefulness, intelligence, or courage. A Hero Myth does not always end positively for a hero; a hero can be punished or rewarded. Some of the best known Hero Myths come from Greek Mythology. Prometheus is a Greek defiant hero who defies Zeus by stealing fire and giving it to humans. Theseus was strong, courageous, wise, and intelligent and the mythical founder of Athens. Hero Myths celebrate the adventures of someone who possess and admirable trait.

**Using Myths in the Classroom**

Since all cultures have myths, myths are a great way to expose students to different cultures. Since many cultures have myths that address the same subjects, myths can be used to show the similarities that different cultures share.

**Activity:**

Part I: Myths Objective: Students will be able to list the different types of myths. Time: 2 hours


 * 1) Students will be asked what myths they are familiar with.
 * 2) Students will be read “The Rainbow Serpant and the Story of Creation.”
 * 3) Students will be read “The Creation” (an Iroquois myth)
 * 4) Students will, as a class, create a Venn Diagram describing the similarities and differences

Part II: Incorporating Culture into Original Myth Objective: Students will examine their own culture and use it as the basis to create an original myth.

Time: 2 hours

Write a tale (using a word processor)
 * 1) Students, working individually, will list different aspects of their culture.
 * 2) Students, working individually, will use their cultural aspect list to create their myth
 * For the product of this exercise, students may choose to:

Create a PowerPoint presentation Create an animation (www.animasher.com, www.doink.com ) Create a comic strip (www.toondo.com, www.bitstripsforschools.com , www.pikikids.com) Create a podcast Write and record a song

**Referenced Works:**

Clayton, Sally Pomme. Illustrated by Herxheimer, Sophie. Tales Told in Tents. London: Frances Lincoln Limited, 2004.

Holbrock, Florence. The Nature Book Of Myths. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston, 1902.

Lemming, David Adams. Creation Myths of the World. Santa Barbara: CA:ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2010.

Marshall, James Vance. Illustrated by Firebrace, Francis. Stories From the Billabong. London: Frances Lincoln Limited, 2008.

Norton, Donna E. Through the Eyes of a Child. Pearson:NJ, 2007.