Exploring Local Myths: A Legend Documentation Project
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can researching and documenting local myths and legends help us understand our community's cultural and historical identity?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What makes a story a myth or legend?
- How do local myths and legends influence our perception of a community's history and culture?
- In what ways can myths and legends provide insights into the values and beliefs of a society?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will conduct independent research on local myths and legends over an extended period, demonstrating the ability to gather, assess, and synthesize information from multiple sources.
- Students will develop skills in quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing information using appropriate citation styles, minimizing plagiarism and upholding ethical research practices.
- Students will critically analyze local myths and legends to understand and articulate their influence on cultural and historical identity.
- Students will present their research and findings effectively, utilizing clear communication methods and proper citation formats.
Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsCommunity Storytelling Session
Invite a local storyteller or elder to the class to share firsthand accounts of local myths and legends. Their narratives will not only spark curiosity but also bring authenticity to the students’ research, fostering a deeper connection with their project subject.Local Legend Podcast Challenge
Students listen to a professionally produced podcast episode based on a local legend. They are then challenged to research and produce their own podcast episode, learning to weave together narrative elements and factual information into an engaging story.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Mystical Inquiry Starter
Students begin their investigation by choosing a local myth or legend to focus on. This activity sets the stage for their research by guiding them to formulate specific questions related to their chosen legend, which will direct their research trajectory.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA documented list of research questions about a chosen local myth or legend.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with W.8.7 as it involves generating research questions for a focused investigation.Source Sleuths
Students embark on a quest to gather information about their chosen legend from multiple sources, ensuring they practice discerning credible sources and understanding how to synthesize information from various media.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA research portfolio containing organized notes, quoted and paraphrased information with proper citation.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with W.8.8 by focusing on gathering, assessing, and citing information ethicallyEchoes of the Past: Critical Analysis
Students critically analyze the myths and legends they are investigating to uncover the values, beliefs, and historical insights they provide, tying their analyses back to cultural and historical influences.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA reflective analysis paper discussing the cultural and historical insights of the chosen myth or legend.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with W.8.9 as it involves drawing on research to produce analytical writing.Legendary Leaders Presentation
Students present their findings on the cultural and historical facets of their chosen myths or legends. The focus is on effectively communicating their research and analysis through clear presentation methods.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn oral presentation accompanied by visual aids, effectively communicating research findings.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SL.8.4 by requiring students to present their research findings clearly, emphasizing main ideas with relevant evidence.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioLocal Legends Research Project Rubric
Research Question Formulation
Assesses the student's ability to generate meaningful research questions that guide the investigation of local myths and legends.Quality of Research Questions
Evaluates the depth and focus of the research questions formulated by the student.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe student formulates insightful, focused, and highly relevant research questions that demonstrate a deep understanding of the chosen myth or legend.
Proficient
3 PointsThe student formulates clear, focused, and relevant research questions that appropriately guide the study of the chosen myth or legend.
Developing
2 PointsThe student formulates research questions that are somewhat focused but may lack depth or relevance towards investigating the myth or legend.
Beginning
1 PointsThe research questions are vague, unfocused, or irrelevant to the study of the myth or legend.
Information Gathering and Documentation
Assesses the skills in gathering, evaluating, and organizing information from multiple sources, as well as ethical citation practices.Source Evaluation and Citation
Evaluates the student's ability to assess the credibility of sources and correctly cite information gathered.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe student demonstrates exceptional skills in evaluating source credibility and uses a citation style flawlessly to credit all sources correctly.
Proficient
3 PointsThe student effectively evaluates the credibility of sources and cites sources correctly with minor errors.
Developing
2 PointsThe student shows some ability to evaluate source credibility but cites sources inconsistently or with several errors.
Beginning
1 PointsThe student struggles to evaluate source credibility and/or frequently commits citation errors.
Organization of Research
Assesses how well the students organize their research findings and incorporate quotations, paraphrases, and summaries.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe research is exceptionally well-organized with coherent notes, and effectively incorporates quotations, paraphrases, and summaries.
Proficient
3 PointsThe research is well-organized with coherent notes, incorporating quotations, paraphrases, and summaries effectively.
Developing
2 PointsThe research shows some organization but presents incoherent notes and inconsistently integrates quotes, paraphrases, and summaries.
Beginning
1 PointsThe research lacks organization with incoherent notes, and challenges are noted in integrating quotes, paraphrases, and summaries.
Critical Analysis and Reflection
Evaluates the student's ability to analyze myths and legends critically, recognizing their cultural and historical significance.Depth of Analysis
Assesses the depth at which the student links myths or legends to cultural or historical insights.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe analysis provides comprehensive insights, showing a profound connection between the myth or legend and cultural or historical contexts.
Proficient
3 PointsThe analysis provides clear and relevant insights connecting the myth or legend to cultural or historical contexts.
Developing
2 PointsThe analysis provides some insights but lacks depth or clear relevance to cultural or historical contexts.
Beginning
1 PointsThe analysis lacks significant insights and weakly connects the myth or legend to cultural or historical contexts.
Presentation Skills
Assesses the student's ability to effectively communicate their research findings and insights through an oral presentation.Clarity and Engagement
Evaluates how clearly and engagingly the student presents their research findings.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresentation is exceptionally clear, engaging, and logically structured, maintaining audience interest throughout.
Proficient
3 PointsPresentation is clear and engaging, with a logical structure that maintains audience interest.
Developing
2 PointsPresentation is somewhat clear and engaging but may lack logical structure or fail to maintain audience interest at times.
Beginning
1 PointsPresentation lacks clarity, engagement, and logical structure, failing to maintain audience interest.
Use of Visual Aids
Assesses the effectiveness and relevance of visual aids used to support the presentation.
Exemplary
4 PointsVisual aids are highly effective, relevant, and enhance understanding of the research findings.
Proficient
3 PointsVisual aids are effective and relevant, supporting the presentation of research findings well.
Developing
2 PointsVisual aids are somewhat effective and relevant but may not fully support the presentation of research findings.
Beginning
1 PointsVisual aids are ineffective, irrelevant, or missing, failing to support the presentation of research findings.