In the Classroom: The 9th Grade Confronts Myths

This blog's aim is to show what happens at PCD--both in and out of the academic buildings--on a day to day basis. In that spirit, we will be bringing you a number of running series on different aspects of school life. Today we kick off our first one: In the Classroom. We begin that with a mini-series of its own: a look at some changes to the 9th grade curriculum this fall. You can always view the entire "In the Classroom" series by clicking on the label, located in the bar on the right of the page.

Over the summer the 9th Graders began their study of Greek mythology through their summer reading book: Mythology by Edith Hamilton. This fall the discussion of mythology will continue through a "Project Based Learning" unit focusing on national myths. The unit is a collaboration between the classes of Ms. Morris (history) and Ms. Kaufman and Mr. Harper (English). In each class, students will work towards completing a project. In both classes, the driving question for the project is: What is the purpose of national mythology?

What do Paul Bunyan and Hercules have in 

common, and what do they mean for us today?

In history the students are looking at American mythology and the stories and legends that inform our national identity. In groups they will study one story in depth. They will learn the various versions of the story and study what, if any, historical facts the story is based on. Understanding the story in more depth, students will decide if and to what extent the story should be taught in American elementary schools. They will create an online poster using the website Glogster to promote their decision. In doing the project, students will consider the role that myths play in our culture and the value and meaning that they carry. Looking at myths from their own culture can help students connect to the mythology of past cultures and understand that important historical concepts are universal; in other words, the role of myth transcends particular periods and regions. Additionally, students will develop their research, technology, and cooperative work skills. 

In English, students will discuss the nature of mythology in a Greek and modern context. Why did ancient myths exist? Why do they persist (or do they?) today? English classes will discuss the definitions and uses of ancient and modern myth. The goal of the project is to write a modern myth that re-works the themes of an original Greek myth, in story form as an audio performance of about 5 minutes. The students will be thinking about the driving question both as it relates to ancient Greece - what does ancient myth tell us about the Greeks? - and as it relates to their own lives - what do myths tell us about ourselves? Students will work cooperatively and creatively and perform their "new" myths for each other and a broader audience of Middlers plus fellow freshmen. 

We will continue to post updates on this project over the next two weeks from both the teachers' and students' perspectives. In the meantime, if you have any comments, please leave them in the comments section below (but be sure to do so in accordance with our comment policy, which can be found in the blog's first entry).