This document discusses Native American myths and their importance in Native American culture. It begins by defining what myths are - traditional stories that involve supernatural elements and attempt to explain natural phenomena or teach moral lessons. It notes that myths were an important part of oral tradition for Native Americans. The document then discusses some common characteristics and purposes of Native American myths, such as explaining origins or cultural values. Students are then assigned to study examples of Native American origin myths in small groups and present their myth to the class. They are also given a writing assignment to either create their own myth or interview an elder about an oral tradition passed down through generations.

1. Native American Literature
Warm-Up
2-10-12
You have 5 minutes to complete this writing
assignment starting when class starts!
Answer in COMPLETE sentences and put
thought into your answers.
If you absolutely don’t know what to write
after at least trying to figure it out, ask a
neighbor, then ask me!

2. Essential Questions
Why do people communicate?
How do people communicate?
How do audience and purpose determine
style?

3. Objectives
By the completion of this lesson students
will be able to:
To analyze the characteristics of a myth
and evaluate how Native Americans used
it.
To analyze the Western perspective of
myths and myth making

4. So, what is a myth?
•The word itself comes from the
Greek “mythos” which originally
meant “speech.”
•It is a traditional story explaining
how the world and the things in it
came to be.

5. Myth
•A traditional story that deals with
gods, goddesses, heroes, and/or
supernatural forces.
•A myth may explain a belief, custom,
or a force of nature

6. Myths
• Contain supernatural elements
• Often explain the unexplainable
• Have also been told in order to teach a
moral lesson.
• All cultures have myths, though often do
not see their stories as myth but as fact.
• reflect the culture of the people who
create them
• Use metaphors

7. Native American Myths-
• The First Nation's Peoples had a value
system. There were only four
commandments from the Great Spirits:
• 1.Respect Mother Earth
2.Respect the Great Spirit
3.Respect our fellow man and woman
4.Respect for individual freedom

8. Origin Myths
• Every origin myth is a story of creation:
origin myths describe how some new
reality came into existence

9. Oral tradition
• Native American myths originated as oral
tradition: Stories passed down verbally
• Native American creating myths were not
written down until just a few hundred
years ago.

10. These Native American myths..
• The World on the Turtle’s Back, When Grizzlies
Walked Upright, Navajo Origin Legend, The Sky Tree,
Coyote Finishes His Work
• All offer explanations of where the people who
inhabit the Earth came from.
• What other sources take on the challenge of
explaining this phenomenon?
- the Bible, geneticists

11. Alright, let’s get to it!
• You will be divided into groups (we need 3) each having
a different myth to study and present. Just scoot next to
your neighbors.
• Suggestion: Read the myth silently first and then read it
aloud to emphasize the importance of the oral tradition
• Assign the following roles within your group: recorder,
creativity director, teacher
• Then, complete the response sheet- one per group.
Everyone should generate ideas but the note taker
records.
• Then, discuss how best to present your myth- perform a
skit, do an oral reading, create a picture- you must
TEACH the myth to the class
• Finally, presentations!

12. Classwork/Homework
Classwork
1. Create your own mythic tale! This can be about
anything. What story will you tell your kids one day
about how the world was created? Tossing out all that
you know biblically, creatively come up with a new
version. One page, single spaced, college ruled paper.
Homework
2. This myth is part of the oral tradition of stories being
told in various ways- usually depending on beliefs and
customs. Interview someone “older” to find a story
that has been passed down from generation to
generation. One page, single spaced, college ruled
paper. Or two pages typed, double space, 12 pt font.
Due Monday, 2/13/12