Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue--Our Revised 3rd Grade Myths & Legends Unit

Such great times in 3rd grade recently! Each spring in library classes we work with our 3rd grade teachers to address the reading standards regarding myths and legends. (That's our "something borrowed," as these aren't mentioned specifically in AASL library standards.) We began our work with Greek mythology, gaining background knowledge from Britannica Online articles related to different gods and goddesses.

Students used this handout in Google Classroom to record their work. We were looking for how the humans interacted with the gods and/or how the gods treated one another.

You can access the handout HERE.

We then read and shared different star stories using the TrueFLIX book Constellations, including the story about the constellation Scorpius.

A favorite assignment among third graders, designing their own constellation and creating the story behind it was next--our "something old." In this two-day activity, students plan their stories and stage a picture for their final projects. Students brainstorm possible constellations and stories using the handout below.

You can access the handout HERE.

Check out some of the students' work on their constellations and stories:

And now for our "something new"--a visit to Scholastic's website called Myths from Around the World. Again using Google Classroom, students accessed the site and read myths and legends of their choosing from a wide variety of cultures.

After reading myths and legends of their choice, students then accessed a world map on Google Maps--the "something new." Their work came full circle as we returned to our original conversation about the purpose of myths--to explain something in nature, to teach a lesson, or to celebrate a hero's story. On the map, students were to place a pin on the country from their reading and identify the purpose of the myth. You can see their work below:

Taking a Look at Greek Mythology

Third graders at Dallas Center Elementary have been working with their reading partners to learn more about different gods, goddesses, creatures, and other characters from Greek mythology. Reading articles from Britannica Online, students' first task was to learn about their topic and take notes, including information related to their new learning, inferences, and questions.

You can access the handout HERE.

Students also watched three stories from Greek mythology using Learn360: Daedalus & Icarus, Pandora's Box, and Jason & the Golden Fleece. Conversations related to the videos related to the way humans and gods/goddesses interact and why or how one group becomes upset or pleased with the others' actions.

Students' final project combined their learning of gods and goddesses along with their recent work with constellations. Working in groups, students brainstormed characters and items to include in an original myth that tells the story of a constellation they created.

You can access the handout HERE.

Here are some examples of students' constellation stories:

Who's Your Daddy? Taking a Look at Greek Gods and Goddesses

Third grade students have begun a unit on Greek gods and goddesses. Using great materials from Nicole Shelby's Teachers Pay Teachers store, we have just begun our work, starting with a schema activity and watching Gods and Goddesses, an introductory video from Learn360.

While watching the video, students are taking notes about the gods and goddesses as Zeus introduces them one by one. 

Click HERE if you'd like a copy of the full notes page.

As the unit progresses, students will be learning about King Midas, Medusa, Pandora, and others. Character traits, allusions, and themes will all be part of their work and conversations!