Middle School Grade  Project 1 week

Myth-O-Matic: Craft Your Creation Tale

Emily A
Updated
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Effective Communication
1-pager

Purpose

This project immerses students in the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous communities through the exploration and digital representation of creation myths. By interacting with Indigenous narratives, students gain insights into the values and beliefs that shape and inform Native cultures. Through experiential learning, collaboration with community partners, and digital storytelling, students will develop critical thinking and communication skills, deepen their understanding of interconnectedness among humans, animals, and the environment, and contribute to the preservation and celebration of cultural heritage.

Learning goals

Students will deepen their cultural understanding and appreciation by researching and creating digital storyboards of Indigenous creation myths. They will develop critical thinking and communication skills through collaborative script writing, peer editing, and presenting their projects to varied audiences. Students will explore the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment, integrating Indigenous ecological knowledge through hands-on experiences with community partners. Through reflection and critique, students will refine their storytelling techniques, considering the cultural significance and symbolism of myths and preparing to share their work in a broader digital and live storytelling festival.

Competencies
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.

Products

Students will create digital storyboards for their chosen Indigenous creation myths, combining narrative scripts with visual elements that reflect cultural authenticity. These storyboards will be uploaded to a collaborative, online anthology featuring multimedia components like interactive timelines and genealogical maps. To deepen the storytelling experience, they will incorporate oral storytelling to accompany their digital work, culminating in a multimedia presentation of their projects. The final exhibition will include both the completed storyboards and a live storytelling festival, inviting community members to share related cultural narratives or experiences, enriching the students' creations with a tapestry of diverse voices.

Launch

Begin with an interactive virtual reality workshop, allowing students to immerse themselves in the diverse landscapes and characters from Indigenous creation myths. As they explore these worlds, students will engage firsthand with the mythological settings and narratives they'll be researching and representing. This experience will provide an engaging introduction to the project, creating a dynamic starting point that sparks curiosity and creative ideas for their digital storyboards.

Exhibition

Host a 'Storytelling Festival' where students present their digital storyboards complemented by oral storytelling performances. Invite community members to share related personal narratives or experiences, fostering a rich tapestry of cultural voices. This celebration facilitates dynamic interactions and allows students to receive feedback from various audiences, including peers, teachers, and community stakeholders, enhancing their storytelling skills and cultural understanding.