Myths and Legends

What myths explain (seasons, the sun, a spider's web), heroes and gods in Greek and Norse myths, and how a legend differs from a myth and a folktale.

Warm-up, learn, try it together, practice, then a quick check. About 15 minutes.

What children learn in Level 49

Long before science could explain thunder or the seasons, people told myths. Myths explain nature, and they're full of gods and goddesses.
In a Greek myth, Persephone spends part of each year in the underworld. Her mother Demeter grieves, and winter comes. When Persephone returns, spring begins.
Greek gods include Zeus, king of the sky, Poseidon of the sea, and Athena, goddess of wisdom. Norse myths from Scandinavia have Odin, Thor, the god of thunder, and tricky Loki.
A legend is about a hero who may have really lived, but the story grew bigger with each telling, like John Henry racing a steam drill, or Arthur pulling a sword from a stone.
A folktale is about ordinary people or animals, passed down by storytellers, and it often teaches a lesson, like Stone Soup.

Georgia's K-12 English Language Arts Standards:

4.T.T.1.d — Compare and contrast the approach to 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 diverse cultures. (I)
4.T.T.1.a — Analyze the use of narrative techniques to present ideas, design texts, and convey information about characters, setting, and plot. (I)