Lesson 10 | Greek Myths | 4th Grade Language Arts

Objective

Explain how comparing different forms of a literary text helps build a deeper understanding of the text and which author’s craft decisions or structures have the greatest influence on how events are described.

Readings and Materials

Book: I am Arachne: Fifteen Greek and Roman Myths by Elizabeth Spires pp. 2 – 5
Book: Greek Myth Plays by Carol Pugliano-Martin pp. 48 – 51
Book: The McElderry Book of Greek Myths by Eric A. Kimmel
Book: Echo Echo: Reverso Poems about Greek Myths by Marilyn Singer

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Target Task

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Discussion & Writing Prompt

Identify a theme of Arachne. How does the structure of the text influence a reader's understanding of Arachne and the development of theme?

Extend: What author’s craft decisions or structures have the greatest influence on how the theme is developed?

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Common Core Standards

RL.4.2 — Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.

Reading Standards for Literature

RL.4.2 — Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
RL.4.5 — Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text.

Reading Standards for Literature

RL.4.5 — Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text.
RL.4.6 — Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations.

Reading Standards for Literature

RL.4.6 — Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations.
RL.4.7 — Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.

Reading Standards for Literature

RL.4.7 — Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.
RL.4.9 — Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.

Reading Standards for Literature

RL.4.9 — Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.

W.4.1 — Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information

Writing Standards

W.4.1 — Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information

Supporting Standards

Standards that are practiced daily but are not priority standards of the unit

L.4.1

L.4.2

W.4.9

W.4.10

Lesson 9

Lesson 11

Lesson Map

McElderry... pp. 6 – 12 — "Pandora's Box"

Summarize what happens in "Pandora’s Box."

RL.4.2

I am Arachne pp. 6 – 10

Analyze how the speaker’s point of view in "Pandora" influences how events are described.

RL.4.3 RL.4.6

Echo Echo — "Pandora and the Box"

Explain how the speaker’s perspective of Pandora changes from one poem to the next.

RL.4.5 RL.4.6 RL.4.7

Myth Plays pp. 23 – 27

Describe how the author uses structural elements of drama to retell what happens in "Pandora’s Box."

RL.4.2 RL.4.5 RL.4.7

Discussion & Writing

I am Arachne pp. 6 – 10
Myth Plays pp. 23 – 27
McElderry...
Echo Echo

Explain how comparing different forms of a literary text helps build a deeper understanding of the text and its major themes. Analyze which author’s craft decisions or structures have the greatest influence on how events are described.

RL.4.5 RL.4.6 RL.4.7 RL.4.9 SL.4.1 SL.4.1.c SL.4.1.d W.4.1

Narrative Writing

Grade 4 Narrative Writing Rubric

Rewrite the myth from Epimetheus's point of view.

L.4.1.d L.4.3.a W.4.3.d

McElderry... pp. 30 – 35

Summarize what happened in "Arachne."

RL.4.2 RL.4.3 RL.4.6

I am Arachne pp. 2 – 5
Echo Echo — "Arachne and Athena"

Compare the lesson that Arachne learns and how she learns it in two different versions of the myth.

RL.4.2

Myth Plays pp. 48 – 51

Explain how the author uses the structural elements of drama to retell the story of Arachne.

RL.4.5 RL.4.7

Discussion & Writing

I am Arachne pp. 2 – 5
Myth Plays pp. 48 – 51
McElderry...
Echo Echo

RL.4.2 RL.4.5 RL.4.6 RL.4.7 RL.4.9 W.4.1

Narrative Writing

Grade 4 Narrative Writing Rubric

Rewrite the myth Arachne from Athena’s point of view.

RL.4.6 W.4.3.a W.4.3.b

McElderry... pp. 22 – 29

Summarize "Echo and Narcissus."

RL.4.2 RL.4.3

I am Arachne pp. 36 – 42
Echo Echo — "Narcissus and Echo"

Defend if Narcissus learns his lesson.

RL.4.2 RL.4.3

Myth Plays pp. 28 – 33

Identify and explain which parts of the story are highlighted in the drama.

RL.4.3 RL.4.5 RL.4.7

Discussion & Writing

I am Arachne pp. 37 – 44
Myth Plays pp. 28 – 33
Echo Echo
McElderry...

RL.4.2 RL.4.5 RL.4.6 RL.4.9 SL.4.1 W.4.1

Narrative Writing

Grade 4 Narrative Writing Rubric

Rewrite the myth Echo and Narcissus from Narcissus’s point of view.

L.4.1.d L.4.3.a W.4.3.d

Discussion

All unit texts

Analyze how a theme or topic is treated in each of the myths from the unit by comparing and contrasting the treatment of similar themes and topics.

RL.4.2 RL.4.9 SL.4.1 SL.4.1.c SL.4.1.d SL.4.3 W.4.1

Opinion Writing – 4 days

All unit texts
Grade 4 Literary Analysis and Opinion Writing Rubric
Boxes and Bullets Graphic Organizer
Two-Paragraph Outline

Defend how the theme from one of the Greek Myths is still relevant today using examples from students’ lives and the world around them.

L.4.2 SL.4.1 W.4.1 W.4.1.a W.4.1.b W.4.5

Assessment

Narrative Writing – 3 days

Grade 4 Narrative Writing Rubric

Revise and edit a narrative from earlier in the unit.

L.4.3.a W.4.3.a W.4.3.b W.4.3.d W.4.3.e

Interpreting Perspectives: Greek Myths

Objective

Readings and Materials

Target Task

Discussion & Writing Prompt

Sample Response

Enhanced Lesson Plan

Common Core Standards

Reading Standards for Literature

Reading Standards for Literature

Reading Standards for Literature

Reading Standards for Literature

Reading Standards for Literature

Writing Standards

Supporting Standards

Language Standards

Language Standards

Writing Standards

Writing Standards

Lesson Map

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