Native American Mythology

Essential Question:

How do belief systems in mythology reflect a particular culture or society, and how are they reflected and represented in a society’s literature and art? What are the common motifs present in various mythologies?

Portrait of a Graduate:

Learner’s Mindset: Students will engage in a life-long quest for understanding diverse cultures through their myths.

Communication: Students will articulate their findings and interpretations both orally and in written form.

Responsibility: Students will respect the cultural origins and meanings behind the myths studied.

Global Citizenship: Students will appreciate the richness and diversity of global mythologies, understanding their role in shaping societies.

Critical Thinking: Students will analyze myths to uncover underlying societal beliefs and values.

Collaboration: Students will work together to explore different myths, leveraging diverse perspectives for deeper insights.

Inquiry Question:

How do Native American myths reflect the beliefs and values of the ancient culture or society?

2. Inquiry Question:

What is the role of the trickster in Native American mythology and what do they teach us?

3. Inquiry Question:

What do Native American monsters reveal about the culture’s beliefs, values, or taboos?

Student Outcomes:

Students will view, read, and analyze myths based on Native American deities and figures to identify beliefs and values of different cultures.

2. Student Outcomes:

Students will analyze trickster characters, such as Gluscabi, Raven, and Coyote to learn to see how they fit the trickster archetype.

3. Student Outcomes:

Students will be able to research Native American mythical creatures and monsters to write a creative piece describing the culture’s beliefs, values, and taboos as depicted through that monster.

Skills Demonstrated:

Analytical Thinking: Breaking down myths to understand characters, motifs, and themes.
Comparative Analysis: Identifying similarities and differences between myths from various cultures.
Critical Thinking: Evaluating how myths reflect cultural values and beliefs.
Research Skills: Gathering information on Native American myths and their cultural contexts.
Communication Skills: Effectively articulating thoughts and analyses in discussions and written assignments.

Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11–12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Additional Skills:

Resources:

Magnus Chase: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan/

The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec/

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint /

Athena’s Child by Hannah Lyn/

A Spartan’s Sorrow by Hannah Lynn /

Daughter of Sparta by Claire Andrews

[Our Hidden Google Drive Resource link]

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