Myth Study and Writing Unit - A Spiral Studies Mini-Unit

Myth Writing Unit
Greek Myth Study
Integrated Unit (Optional)

In this 4-part Myth Study and Writing Unit, students will build background knowledge on the critical components of myths, Greek mythology, and constellations before they read and analyze 5 Greek myths about constellations. Then, students will design their own constellation and write a myth to explain its origin in the night sky. Students will progress through every step of the writing process while writing their myths.

Skills Developed in the Myth Study and Writing Unit
• Reading and analysis
• Plot development
• Characterization
• Descriptive writing
• Writing Process: Pre-Writing, Drafting, Revising, and Publishing

Standards Addressed
• RL.1, RL.2, RL.3
• W.3, W.4, W.5, W.10
• L.1, L.2, L.3, L.5

Unit Overview
Part 1: Students develop background knowledge on myths, constellations, and Greek mythology. Then, students read and analyze 5 different Greek myths about the constellations.

Part 2: Students create their own constellation. Then, they begin the planning and pre-writing a myth that explains their constellation’s origin in the night sky. Students develop a main character, setting, and plot events before writing a first draft.

Part 3: Students focus on revising, editing, and publishing their constellation myths.

The unit includes:
• Unit Overview
• Extremely Detailed Lesson Plans
• Myth Writing Rubric
• Greek Myths – Draco, Aries, Leo, Cassiopeia, Ursa Major & Ursa Minor
• Student Packet:
--- Building Background Myths – Guided Notes
--- Analysis Worksheets for each Myth (5)
--- Create a Constellation
--- Explain the Unknown
--- Create a Character
--- Create a Setting
--- Create a Plot Outline
--- Write a Rough Draft Guide
--- Showing Rather Than Telling
--- Revise Your Beginning
--- Editing Checklist
--- Peer Editing
--- Final Copy Guidelines
• All Instructional Keys

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Check this out! This resource includes TWO versions of the Myth Study and Writing Unit. That’s right! There is one version of the unit that is turn-key and ready to be taught as a stand-alone unit in your ELA classroom….and there is another version that can be combined with units from other subject areas to create an INTEGRATED STUDY of the stars! After you download this resource, just use the version of the unit that will work best in your classroom (integrated or independent).

About the Integrated Version of the Unit
The teacher-authors from Math Giraffe , Kate’s Classroom Café, History Gal, and I have teamed up to create engaging, rigorous, and interactive integrated units that can be easily implemented in middle school classrooms. We call them SPIRAL STUDIES.

We love the idea of helping students learn critical ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies skills and content in an integrated format. That’s why we’ve worked together to create an integrated Study of the Stars! We’ve each created stand-alone units about stars that can be taught completely in isolation and integrated versions of the same units that can be taught in conjunction with other subject areas. Special features of the integrated units include an interactive Learning Folder that students create and add to in each class and a bonus Part 4 of instruction where students showcase their integrated learning while creating “The Night Sky News” newspaper. Learn more HERE.

Integrated Version of the Unit Overview
• Integrated Unit Topic: The Stars
• Overview: Students will learn about stars and then consider: What storytellers (ELA), scientists (Science), mathematicians (Math), and ancient civilizations (SS) see in the night sky.
• In ELA students read Greek myths and write a constellation myth. In Science students participate in interactive stations and learn about stars and the night sky. In Math students use constellations to learn about the coordinate plane. In Social Studies students learn about ancient civilizations and what the night sky looked like in ancient times.
• Special Features:
--- Students create interactive Learning Folders that they develop and grow in each course.
--- Culminating Activity (optional) – Students showcase their learning across all the subject areas while creating “The Night Sky News” newspaper. Students complete elements in each subject area. In ELA, they write a lead story about the discovery of a new constellation. The end result is a creative and integrated newspaper!

Bonus Resources in the Integrated Unit
• Explanation of the integrated resources (for teachers)
• Scope and Sequence of the unit across subject areas
• Learning Folder Resources (title and learning pocket)
• Day 4 – Bonus Materials – lesson plan, directions pages, student planning pages

Find the Integrated Units from the other subject areas here:
• Math – What Do Mathematicians See in the Night Sky? by Math Giraffe
• Science – What Do Scientists See in the Night Sky? by Kate’s Classroom Café
• Social Studies – What Did Ancient Civilizations See in the Night Sky? by History Gal

Remember…two versions of the unit are included in this resource. If you’d prefer to teach the Myth Study and Writing Unit as a stand-alone unit, it’s completely ready for you. Whether you teach this unit in isolation or as part of an integrated unit, I have a feeling your students will love creating their own constellation and writing a myth to explain it!

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