Author

Todd Symes

Title

Mythology's Influence on Today's Society

Grade Level

Grade Nine

Subject Area

English / Language Arts, ICT Integration

Overview of unit/lessons/activities (assumptions of prior knowledge/learning)

Part 1: Students will construct a brainstorm using Inspiration® explaining their thought on how mythology has influenced our society.
Part 2: Students will do Internet and Basic research to gain information with the purpose of constructing a graphic organizer to show the influence modern mythology has on modern society.
Prior Knowledge: Students should have a strong base knowledge of mythology and well as be experienced users of Inspiration®

Correlations to ICT and curriculum outcomes

ELA Curriculum Outcomes:
1.4          listen critically to assess the adequacy of the evidence speakers give to evaluate the integrity of information presented
3.3          demonstrate an awareness that spoken language has different conventions in different situations and cultures and use language appropriate to the situation
8.1          use a range of strategies in writing & other ways of representing to describe and evaluate their learning processes and strategies
9.1          demonstrate facility in using a variety of forms of writing to create texts for specific purposes and audiences, and represent their ideas in other forms (including visual arts, music, drama) to achieve their purposes
10.1          demonstrate an awareness of what prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading, and presentation strategies work for them with various writing and other representations
10.3          experiment with the use of technology in communicating for a range of purposes with a variety of audiences

ICT Learning Outcomes:
SEHI 9.3 (relates to 6.7, 6.8) understand, model, and assume personal responsibility for the acceptable use of copyrighted and other information resources
PTS 9.1 (relates to 6.3) use software to brainstorm, develop a thought web, outline, and map ideas under study with independence
PTS 9.5 (relates to 6.4, 6.5, 6.6) develop multimedia presentations, based on sound principles of design, with increasing confidence, efficiency and independence
RPSD 9.5 (relates to 6.1 – 6.4) critically evaluate how style, form, source, and medium influence the accessibility, validity, and meaning of information independently
RPSD 9.6 (relates to 6.3, 6.4) select and refine a research topic, according to teacher-provided criteria, to fulfill a curriculum requirement, with teacher assistance
RPSD 9.9 (relates to 6.5) accurately and independently cite information sources

Projected timeline for preparation and for carrying out activities

Preparation - Sample Inspiration Brainstorm, Instructional Hand-out, two rubrics; one for presentation, the other for project.
Time-frame: Explanation, 1/2 period, construction of brainstorm and graphic organizer 2–3 40 minute classes, viewing of student presentations, 1–2 periods.

Equipment Requirements: (computers, software, etc)

• Minimum 3 classroom computers with Internet connection, Inspiration® and Powerpoint® (optional). Works best in lab setting to facilitate co-operative learning.
• data projector for demonstration purposes
  
  

Teaching materials provided (Blacklines, worksheets, templates, teacher materials)

1. Hand-out sheet, explaining assignment. myth_assignment.rtf
2. Sample Inspiration® brainstorm to show expectation. sample_brainstorm.isf
3. Sample rubrics for evaluation, one for the presentation, one for the completed project

presentation_rubric.rtf
project_rubric.rtf

Resources available for teacher/student use (websites, references, etc)

For rubric creation: Rubistar http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php
For lessons and rubrics: Teachnology http://www.teach-nology.com/

Detailed instructions for each activity or lesson (teacher notes, activity information, learning strategies, teacher role, student roles)

You will be using Inspiration® to create two files: a brainstorm AND a graphic organizer to report your information.

Requirements

• include at least four pictures of items or people or places which are influenced by mythology
• include at least six notes within your Inspiration® document
• document all picture sources, and websites used for research purposes.
• branch out to at least five different "areas" which are influenced (see the ideas below).
• complete the rubric provided detailing your success with Inspiration® and the assignment.
• present your findings in a brief presentation using the data projector to show your work to the class.

Student products expected

Oral presentation, Inspiration brainstorm, constructed graphic organizer, completed rubrics for assessment.

Sample Brainstorming document (Inspiration version 7 document) sample_brainstorm.isf

Samples (include teacher notes, assessment information, student work if available)

Included sample brainstorm, blank rubrics, hand-out sheet.
Notes:
Ideas to get you Started:
Mythology has influenced...

Use these ideas to help start up your Inspiration® brainstorm first, then print it off and organize it to help with the second part, the graphic organizer.

Logistics (organization, grouping, management issues, access to technology)

- Minimum 3 classroom computers with Internet connection, inspiration (optional) and powerpoint. Works best in lab setting to facilitate co-operative learning.
- LCD projector (optional) for demonstration purposes
- White Board is used to list good web sites I know of, as well as allow kids to add web sites they stumble across while working.

Assessment information (e.g., rubrics for products and/or process)

Student generated rubrics, based on class discussion and results. Basically, the students decided based on looking at provided examples what they will be evaluated on. Students are provided with a blank rubric with five categories, with possible scores between 0 and 5. The entire class decides which components they will be marked on, and design an appropriate rubric.

Sample Rubrics:
Presentation Rubric (MS Word or other word processor) presentation_rubric.rtf
Project Rubric (MS Word or other word processor) project_rubric.rtf

Possible extensions

1. Group discussion on influence.
2. Comparison of brainstorms.
3. Reflection piece of the whole process.