Name _________________________________
Are you ready to write your myth? Then let's begin!
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Myths are rooted in the sacred beliefs of a culture, a belief system known as cosmology.
Myths take place in a time before recorded historical time.
Deities (gods) or semi-deities (half gods) are the primary characters.
Myths represent the ways that ancient cultures sought to explain the origins of the world and of existence itself.
Pretend you have an audience of the king's court before you, or that you are in a cave with other cave painters trying
to summon the sun or the rain, or think of yourself as a griot (storyteller) in an African village who is about to explain
to your people how the world began. Using your brainstorming observations and ideas, write a story that explains a
phenomenon in the natural world that you've experienced or witnessed on TV. You can pick almost anything — a
snowstorm, an earthquake, or even a rainy day. Be as creative as you can — let your imagination run wild!
Greek Myth Rubric
Elements of
Myth
Beginning
Developing
Accomplished
Exemplary
1
2
3
4
Myth/Title contain
several elements specific
to ancient Greek myths
and geography and offer
an explanation of
something.
Myth/Title contain most
elements specific to
ancient Greek myths and
geography and offer a
logical explanation of
something.
Myth/Title contain few Myth/Title contain some
elements specific to
elements specific to
ancient Greek myths
ancient Greek myths
and offer a weak
and geography and offer
explanation for
a vague explanation of
something.
something.
Characters are poorly
developed through
vague description with
no dialogue. Gods
Character
and goddesses are
Development
included.
Characters
are developed through
vague description and
minimal dialogue. Their
actions and the
actions/reactions of
others are somewhat
explained. Gods and
goddesses are central
characters.
Contains no
background
information about
characters or
setting. The central
conflict is not fully
explained or resolved.
Contains minimal
background information
about characters and
setting. The central
conflict is somewhat
explained and resolved.
Contains background
information about
characters and
setting. There is a
central conflict which is
adequately explained
and resolved.
Contains detailed
background information
about characters and
setting. There is a
central conflict which is
fully explained and
resolved.
Writing contains
many spelling,
grammar, and
punctuation errors.
Writing contains some
spelling, grammar, and
punctuation errors.
Writing contains few,
minor spelling, grammar,
and punctuation errors.
Writing is free of
spelling, grammar and
punctuation errors.
Plot
Spelling,
Grammar,
and
Punctuation
Most characters are fully
All characters are fully
developed through
developed through vivid
description and
description and
dialogue. Their actions
dialogue. Their actions
and the actions/reactions and the actions/reactions
of others are
of others are clearly
explained. Gods and
explained. Gods and
goddesses are central
goddesses are central
characters.
characters.
Adapted from Myth Makers: A Webquest http://www.southernct.edu/~ils6937/myth/webquest.htm