World Ocean Mythology Marine Science Academy - English 11

World Ocean Mythology Marine Science Academy - English 11

How might ancient understandings of the oceans help us solve contemporary ocean problems?

College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Reading

“To become college and career ready, students must grapple with the works of exceptional craft and thought whose range extends across genres, cultures, and centuries. Such works offer profound insights into the human condition and serve as models for the students’ own thinking and writing.”

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy

Grades 11-12

Class reads and annotatesexcerpt from Parallel Myths by J.F. Bierlein “An Introduction: What Is Myth?”

What is the difference between myth and religion?

In small groups students research ocean mythology from a specific region of the world.

Students research specific questions:

A creation myth from this tradition

A flood myth from this tradition

Names, characteristics, and background of the deities associated with the water and weather.

A myth that displays the powers of these deities

Contemporary ocean issues from this region

When and why did this region lose respect for the sea?

Ecosystems and particular species from this region

Create a PowerPoint Presentation to answer the questions

Present your PowerPoint

Create an aquarium to represent the ideas you have learned mythology and the ocean from this region of the world.

Class participates in Socratic Seminar to use their learning to discuss the question:

How might ancient understandings of the oceans help us solve contemporary ocean problems?

World Ocean Mythology Marine Science Academy - English 11

How might ancient understandings of the oceans help us solve contemporary ocean problems?

TEST - excerpt from Parallel Myths by J.F. Bierlein “An Introduction: What Is Myth?”

1. Which of the following cultures is not represented in the Table of Contents?

A. Greek

B. Egyptian

C. Norse

D. Mayan

2. Which of the following subjects is not represented in the Table of Contents?

A. Flood

B. Patricide

C. Underworld

D. Creation

3. What is the opposite of sacred?

A. Deity

B. Promiscuous

C. Profane

D. Milestones

4. True or False - Many of the myths are anthropomorphic.

5. Write a sentence to explain why there are 365 days in the year.

6. Write a sentence to explain the significance of Thursday.

7. Write a sentence to explain a specific example the author includes of mythology in our daily lives.

8. On the back, write a paragraph explaining the significance of the name of the month of your birth.

9. On the back, write a paragraph about the author.

10. On the back, write a paragraph explaining why myth matters.