Design a writing lesson to be used in your thematic unit

Sample Solution

The Hero's Journey: Writing a Personal Myth Adventure

This writing lesson is designed for a 6th-grade language arts unit focused on mythology. Students will be familiar with the concept of the hero's journey after exploring various myths throughout the unit. This lesson will culminate in students writing their own myth following the hero's journey structure.

Standards:

• Language Arts: W.6.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and clear organization.
• Language Arts: W.6.4 Use precise language and sensory details to convey experiences and events.
• Language Arts: W.6.5 Introduce a topic or problem, state the central idea, create suspense, provide a resolution, and leave the reader with a sense of closure.

Activities:

Activity 1: Brainstorming Your Myth

• Students will use a handout (see below) titled "Mythical Me: Brainstorming Worksheet" to brainstorm ideas for their own personal myth adventure. The worksheet prompts them to consider:
  • Their Hero: What kind of character will they be? What are their strengths and weaknesses?
  • The Call to Adventure: What disrupts their ordinary world?
  • The Challenges: What obstacles will they face?
  • Helpers and Mentors: Who will guide them on their journey?
  • The Transformation: How will they change throughout the adventure?
  • The Ultimate Boon: What do they achieve by the end?

Full Answer Section

Mythical Me: Brainstorming Worksheet

• My Hero:
  • Name:
  • Special Skills:
  • Weaknesses:
• The Call to Adventure: What event disrupts your normal life?
• Challenges: What obstacles will you face on your journey?
• Helpers and Mentors: Who will guide and support you?
• Transformation: How will you change throughout your adventure?
• The Ultimate Boon: What do you achieve by the end?

Activity 2: Writing Your Myth Adventure

This activity follows the Before Writing, During Writing, and After Writing Model.

Before Writing:

• Students will review the handout "The Hero's Journey Stages" (see below) which outlines the key stages of the hero's journey:
  • Ordinary World
  • The Call to Adventure
  • Refusal of the Call
  • Meeting the Mentor
  • Crossing the Threshold
  • Tests, Allies, and Enemies
  • Approach to the Innermost Cave
  • Ordeal
  • Reward (Seizing the Boon)
  • The Road Back
  • Resurrection
  • Return with the Elixir

The Hero's Journey Stages

1. Ordinary World: Describe the hero's normal life.
2. The Call to Adventure: What disrupts the hero's normal life?
3. Refusal of the Call (Optional): Why might the hero hesitate?
4. Meeting the Mentor: Who will guide and support the hero?
5. Crossing the Threshold: The hero commits to the adventure.
6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies: What challenges will the hero face? Who will help or hinder them?
7. Approach to the Innermost Cave: The hero prepares for the final test.
8. Ordeal: The hero faces their greatest challenge.
9. Reward (Seizing the Boon): What does the hero achieve?
10. The Road Back: The hero begins their journey home.
11. Resurrection: The hero overcomes a final obstacle.
12. Return with the Elixir: The hero returns home, transformed by their adventure.

• Students will create an outline for their myth using the stages of the hero's journey and their brainstorming notes from Activity 1.

• During Writing:

  • Students will write their myth adventure narratives, incorporating vivid details, sensory language, and a clear plot structure following their outlines.

  After Writing:

  • Students will participate in peer review sessions to provide and receive constructive feedback on their drafts.
  • Students will revise and edit their drafts based on feedback and the rubric criteria (see below).
  • Students will present their completed myths to the class, sharing their unique hero's journey.