Exploring Myths and History: Write Your Own Narrative
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Exploring Myths and History: Write Your Own Narrative

Grade 11English25 days
★★★★★
4.0 (1 rating)
This project-based learning experience for 11th-grade English students centers on analyzing and understanding cultural narratives and historical contexts through the study of Native American myths and specific historical texts like 'Of Plymouth Plantation' and 'Coming of Age in the Dawnland'. Students engage through interactive entry events, comparative portfolio activities, and creative tasks to write their own myths, all while aligning with Nebraska Standards for English Language Arts. The project promotes critical research, thematic analysis, and narrative construction skills, culminating in a creative writing task that challenges students to synthesize their learning into an original narrative.
Native American MythsCultural NarrativesHistorical ContextThematic AnalysisCreative WritingCross-Cultural InteractionsInformative Essay
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.What values and beliefs shape who we are?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the key characteristics of Native American myths and how do they reflect the cultures they originate from?
  • How do perceptions and interactions between different cultures shape narratives and historical accounts, as seen in 'Of Plymouth Plantation' and 'Coming of Age in the Dawnland'?
  • What are the significant themes and perspectives in 'Babloa' and how do they contribute to our understanding of historical events and cultures?
  • In what ways does writing an informative essay require critical research skills and the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources?
  • How can writing their own Native American myth help students understand narrative structure and cultural storytelling traditions?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Analyze key characteristics and cultural reflections in Native American myths.
  • Evaluate the development and interaction of concepts in different cultural and historical texts.
  • Draw complex inferences about cultural interactions in historical narratives.
  • Analyze the influence of historical context on narrative styles and themes.
  • Develop a comprehensive vocabulary to understand and analyze complex texts.
  • Write an informative essay integrating multiple sources to convey complex ideas.
  • Create an original narrative applying elements of cultural storytelling.

Nebraska Standards

LA.12.RP1
Primary
Students will ask questions to comprehend and analyze author's purpose and style.Reason: This standard emphasizes the analysis of author's purpose and style, central to understanding myths and historical narratives.
LA.12.RP.5
Primary
Students will evaluate the development of concepts in multiple texts.Reason: Evaluating concepts in Native American myths and historical texts is key to the project's comparative nature.
LA.12.RP.6
Primary
Students will analyze the interaction between individuals and events in a text to draw complex inferences about meaning.Reason: This project involves analyzing cultural interactions in historical contexts, aligning well with this standard.
LA.12.RP.7
Primary
Students will evaluate the influence of historical context on an author's work.Reason: Examining 'Of Plymouth Plantation' and 'Coming of Age in the Dawnland' for historical context impacts aligns with this standard.
LA.12.V.1
Supporting
Students will apply knowledge of vocabulary to understand a text.Reason: Enhancing vocabulary comprehension is crucial for understanding complex texts like myths and historical narratives.
LA.12.W.5
Primary
Students will write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas.Reason: The project's writing component strongly supports this standard through the informative essay.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Virtual Reality Dawnland Journey

Launch the project by taking students on a virtual reality journey to a Dawnland scenario, exploring the daily lives of indigenous people before European contact. This modern technology meets historical exploration creates a compelling context for understanding the texts and writing personal myths.

Ancestral Stories: Roots of Identity

Kick-off the project with an interactive storytelling event where students listen to various Native American myths narrated by a tribal storyteller. This immersive experience will spark curiosity about cultural narratives, connections to family histories, and the creative processes behind storytelling, setting the stage for their own myth-writing project.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Cross-Cultural Connections: Comparative Study

Students explore 'Of Plymouth Plantation' and 'Coming of Age in the Dawnland' to understand how cross-cultural interactions shaped historical narratives. This study will provide insights into each text's context and influence on our understanding of history.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Read excerpts from 'Of Plymouth Plantation' and 'Coming of Age in the Dawnland' with attention to cultural context and interactions.
2. Create a Venn diagram highlighting the similarities and differences between the texts in terms of cultural interactions.
3. Discuss how these cultural interactions are depicted and their influence on the overall narrative.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed Venn diagram illustrating cross-cultural comparisons and their impacts on narratives.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with LA.12.RP.5 (Evaluate concepts in multiple texts) and LA.12.RP.6 (Analyze interactions in text).
Activity 2

Contextual Influences: Historical Perspective Workshop

By examining the historical contexts of 'Babloa' and its thematic connections to previously studied texts, students will understand the influence of history on narrative construction and themes.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Read 'Babloa' with a focus on identifying the historical context and its influence on the narrative.
2. Compare thematic elements of 'Babloa' with 'Of Plymouth Plantation' and 'Coming of Age in the Dawnland' using a thematic organizer.
3. Hold a class discussion to draw inferences about how historical context influences narrative styles.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA thematic organizer showing connections between historical contexts and narrative themes across texts.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports LA.12.RP.7 (Evaluate historical context influence) and LA.12.V.1 (Vocabulary to understand text).
Activity 3

Research Roots: Informative Essay Planner

Students research to gather information from multiple sources, planning an informative essay on key elements of Native American myths and historical narratives.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select a topic related to Native American myths or cross-cultural historical narratives.
2. Conduct research using various sources, collecting notes and evidence to support your topic.
3. Organize your research findings into an essay outline, detailing the introduction, key points, and conclusion.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn outline and research notes for an informative essay, prepared to convey complex ideas.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers LA.12.W.5 (Writing informative texts) and LA.12.V.1 (Vocabulary).
Activity 4

Legendary Creators: Original Myth Writing

Leveraging their understanding of narrative structure and themes, students craft their own Native American myth, incorporating cultural storytelling elements.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm myth elements using cultural themes and settings discussed in class.
2. Draft an original myth, focusing on structure, theme, and cultural storytelling traditions.
3. Revise and share the myth in a storytelling circle, receiving feedback from peers.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn original Native American myth integrating narrative structure and cultural storytelling elements.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with LA.12.RP.1 (Analyze author's purpose), LA.12.W.5 (Write explanatory texts), and creative narratives.
Activity 5

Myth Explorer: Thematic Analysis

Students delve into two selected Native American myths, identifying key characteristics and themes that reflect cultural values and beliefs. This activity sets the foundation for understanding the cultural significance and storytelling elements found in myths.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Read two selected Native American myths, taking note of recurring themes and narrative structures.
2. Identify key characteristics, motifs, and cultural reflections in a guided discussion.
3. Complete a graphic organizer comparing the themes and characteristics of both myths.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed graphic organizer analyzing the themes and characteristics of two Native American myths.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers LA.12.RP1 (Analyze author's purpose and style) and LA.12.V.1 (Apply vocabulary knowledge).
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Literature and Historical Narrative Mastery Rubric

Category 1

Textual Analysis and Understanding

Evaluates student ability to read and understand texts, identify key themes, and interpret cultural and historical contexts.
Criterion 1

Theme Analysis

Ability to identify and analyze themes, cultural reflections, and author's purpose in texts.

Exemplary
4 Points

Insightfully identifies and analyzes multiple themes and cultural reflections, providing comprehensive interpretation of the author's purpose.

Proficient
3 Points

Accurately identifies themes and cultural reflections with a clear interpretation of the author's purpose.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies basic themes and cultural reflections with partial interpretation of the author's purpose.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify themes and cultural reflections or interpret the author's purpose.

Criterion 2

Historical Context Analysis

Evaluate how well students analyze and interpret the influence of historical context on narratives.

Exemplary
4 Points

Thoroughly evaluates how historical context shapes narratives, integrating comprehensive examples and critical insights.

Proficient
3 Points

Clearly evaluates the influence of historical context on narratives with relevant examples.

Developing
2 Points

Partially evaluates the influence of historical context on narratives with some examples.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to evaluate the influence of historical context on narratives or provide examples.

Category 2

Research and Informative Writing

Assesses the student's ability to conduct research and organize an informative essay, focusing on clarity of ideas and effectiveness of information synthesis.
Criterion 1

Research Skill

Quality of research process and ability to gather and select information from multiple sources.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts thorough research, integrating diverse sources into a cohesive argument, showing high-level information synthesis.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts effective research with well-selected information from multiple sources, demonstrating clear synthesis.

Developing
2 Points

Conducts basic research with limited source integration, partially applying information to support ideas.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates difficulty conducting research or integrating information to support ideas meaningfully.

Criterion 2

Clarity and Organization

Assess clarity and organization in essay outlines and final drafts.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents ideas clearly with logical organization, creating a compelling and balanced argument with ease.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents ideas with clarity and organization, forming a coherent argument.

Developing
2 Points

Communicates ideas with some clarity, but the organization is inconsistent, impacting the argument's coherence.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to present coherent ideas due to lacks in organization and clarity.

Category 3

Creative Writing and Narrative Construction

Evaluates students' ability to apply narrative structures and cultural storytelling elements in creative myth writing.
Criterion 1

Narrative Structure

Ability to construct a well-organized narrative with clear theme development and storytelling elements.

Exemplary
4 Points

Shows exceptional organization in narrative, with sophisticated theme development and mastery of storytelling elements.

Proficient
3 Points

Constructs a clear and organized narrative with effective theme development and storytelling use.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic narrative organization with emerging theme development, requiring refinement in storytelling use.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to organize narrative or develop themes clearly, needing substantial storytelling structure improvement.

Criterion 2

Cultural Reflection and Authenticity

Incorporation of cultural elements and authentic voice in narrative creation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Expertly incorporates cultural elements and authentic voice, enhancing narrative richness and depth.

Proficient
3 Points

Incorporates cultural elements and authentic voice effectively, enriching the narrative.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts to incorporate cultural elements and authentic voice but with limited success, indicating emerging skills.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to incorporate cultural elements and voice authentically, indicating initial efforts in cultural narrative.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how studying Native American myths has enhanced your understanding of cultural narratives. What themes or concepts stood out to you the most?

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Question 2

How confident do you feel about your ability to write an informative essay that synthesizes information from multiple sources after completing this project?

Scale
Required
Question 3

What strategies did you find most effective in analyzing cross-cultural interactions in 'Of Plymouth Plantation' and 'Coming of Age in the Dawnland'?

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Question 4

Which aspect of creating your own Native American myth was the most challenging, and how did you overcome it?

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Question 5

To what extent did examining historical contexts influence your understanding of the texts studied?

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Required