2: Origin Stories

Activity 1: Travel Through the Universe

Watch the video on the left --> what do you think it feels like to travel through space?
How big do you think the Universe is?
How old do you think the Universe is?
What other questions puzzle you about the Universe?
What other questions puzzle you about life?
What did you learn about the Universe and Life from the Dome experience?
Did the Dome experience raise any questions for you about the Universe or Life?

beliefs_-_origins_intro_video_926.mp4

Watch this video about Ultimate Questions.
Think about what Ultimate Questions are and write a definition down in your journal.
What Ultimate Questions do you have? Working with your lab partner, try to think and write down as many ultimate questions as you can.
Muddle Huddle. Choose the ultimate question most important to you and write it on a post-it note and stick it on your shirt. Now go round the room and explain your personal point-of-view towards the ultimate questions of other students.
What is your viewpoint towards your 'ultimate question'? In your journal, write a short paragraph explaining your personal viewpoint your ultimate question. Consider what your opinion is and why. To extend, consider what people who disagree with you might think.

what_are_origin_stories_worksheet.pdf

Activity Tasks

What are origin stories? Read this worksheet and write a definition in your books.
What are 'oral traditions'? Does your family or culture have any oral traditions that have been passed down to your generation?
Look closely at the two images here and discuss the following with a partner:
1. Where do you think each of the creation myths are from?
2. What clues are there to help you decide?
Discuss - Which origin stories do you believe in?
Discuss - Why do we as humans need origin stories?

Activity Tasks

As a class: watch the intro to the film Moana, which is based on the Polynesian origin story. Discuss which Ultimate Questions the origin story answers.
Divide into groups. The choices are:
1. Norse - video
2. Aborigine - video
3. Chinese - video
4. Inca - video
5. Hindu - video
6. Japanese - video
7. Navajo - video
In your journal: using the resources above and the Big Myth website, answer the following questions :
- What ultimate questions do origin stories answer? Compare two or more origin stories, identifying ultimate questions that are common to all stories and ultimate questions that are unique to only one origin story.
- How do origin stories reflect geography? Identify geographic details from two or more origin stories, and use them to describe how the different civilizations lived in their places.
- Yellow check for 2 stories, double yellow checks for 3.
As a class, discuss - Are there any significant similarities or differences among the stories?
As a class, discuss - why do you think people create and tell origin stories?

Activity Tasks

As a class: using Google Maps, locate where the Polynesian Island are in the world. Discuss:
- What are the key geographical features of the islands? How would you describe the features?
- How do you think the early peoples of this Pacific region have been influenced by the landscape, the ocean, natural hazards, and wildlife?
- Which aspects of the Polynesian origin story are linked to or influenced by the geography of the area?
In your journal: read again one of the origin stories that you explored in Activity 4. Research the geography of the country that your story is from and identify at least 4 ways in which the story is influenced by the landscape and environmental factors like natural hazards, plants, and wildlife.

Origin Stories GRASP