1. DO NOW!  What are Natural Phenomena?  Give 4 Examples

2. INDEPENDENT READING

3. The Stories & Folklore of Myths 7 th Grade Language Arts

4. Definition:  Myths:  Traditional stories that explain beliefs, customs, or natural phenomenon through the actions of god or heroes

5. Oral Tradition:  Folklore ad myths are genres that begin with the oral tradition of telling stories to share them with people.  They were often stories mean to make meaning to the world and teach lessons about life

6.  You are probably familiar with many types of folklore such as:  Fairy Tales  Fables  Legends  These stories often have morals or lessons to teach us about human weaknesses such as greed, pride, recklessness, or thoughtlessness.

7. Examples:  The Tortoise and the Hare  Slow and steady wins the race  Myth of Hercules  known for his many adventures, such as the defeat of the nine- headed Hydra, clashing with a giant known as Antaeus, and stealing cattle from a fearsome monster.  The Lorax  natural resources are precious and finite

8. Characters:  The characters of myth & folklore often are ordinary people in extraordinary situations.  Usually, the actions of the characters in folklore have consequences that change the life of an entire culture or help explain what seems unexplainable.

9. Human beings have told stories throughout the ages to entertain, to teach, and to explain the mysteries of the world. Maybe you will create a story that will live on long after you!

10. Springboard – Pages 83 & 84  Prewriting: 1. Pick a Natural Phenomena you want to explain For Instance: Why are there rainbows? Why does it rain? Why do volcanoes shoot lava? 2. Create and Outline for your story

11. Exposition Introduction to Characters – description Setting – place, time story is happening Rising Action Story and situations begin to escalate Dramatic and suspenseful events Climax The main event! This is the most emotional part of your myth Falling Action Events are coming off the climax Everything tends to slow down Resolution The characters finally reach a solution to the predicament, or reach a point where they can go no farther in trying to reach a solution

12. On Your Own….. Begin Writing your Myth!  Write: 1. Exposition 2. Rising Action 3. Climax  Show me each section as you finish for credit  If you do not finish this is HOMEWORK