In this unit, students are asked to examine the work of critical theorists Joseph Campbell, Otto Rank, Lord Raglan, and Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to consider the role the hero plays in their world and in mythological writing. Students will generate their own definition of heroes in order to critique the work of myths. As a part of their learning, students will practicing modifying pre-written myths before they develop their own story. The unit places emphasis on group learning and metacognitive thinking about why writers interrupt and develop thoughts based on their previous experiences.
(Developed for Language Arts, grade 7; recommended for Language Arts, grades 6-8)
