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Topic title: Myths and Legends 

Year group: 7 

When taught: September to Christmas 

What are we learning?  

  • The origins of literature and impact of oral tradition. 
  • Reading and exploration of a range of world myths, with mainly female protagonists. 
  • Developing new skill of language analysis through local myths. 
  • Understanding the importance of heroic archetypes and allusion through exploring local legends. 
  • Creating a project on student’s own local legend and exhibiting this to parents before Christmas. 

Why is this important to know?   

  • It is important to understand the world heritage of literature. 
  • It helps build students understanding of links between texts. 
  • It builds students skill base, as we develop analytical skills. 
  • It expands our understanding of other cultures and nations, including different perspectives. 

Where does this link into our past and future learning?   

  • This links to students recent learning in many primary schools where they will have covered Greek and Roman myths. 
  • Our next topic looks at the heroic archetypes evident in Katniss’ character in The Hunger Games, and focusses on identifying allusions made to dystopian texts. 
  • In Year 8 and beyond analytical skills will be used every year, with the challenge increasing in terms of difficulty of text. 
  • This topic deepens cultural awareness and embeds the need for students to take ownership of their own learning by presenting a project at the exhibition. 

How will we be assessed on this topic?  

  • The Year 7 formal assessment will take place either side of October half-term, this grade will be reported at Christmas. The exhibition piece is informally assessed by teachers, as it is built.  

What makes a strong piece of work in this topic?  What are teachers hoping to see?   

  • Following the new process and structure to create analytical paragraphs. 
  • Using correct subject terminology where appropriate. 
  • Giving a range of suggestions about the effect of quotations. 
  • At the highest level, pupils will begin to think about how the writer has created meanings through specific word/technique choices. 
  • Giving a range of perspectives or possible suggestions about the effect of words/phrases. 

What key words are there in this topic? 

Key Words

What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic? 

  • Read as many myths and legends as possible – copies available to borrow in classrooms and library. 
  • Read more in depth on key cultures that we study – ancient Britian, ancient Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa (the Zulu), ancient Greece, Indian mythology.  
  • Practice writing analytical paragraphs following the structure explored in class. (What, How, Why). 

 

What wider reading can be done on this topic? (link to accessit – if applicable) 

Read as many myths as possible – ask English teachers to borrow texts or ask in the library. 

  • Percy Jackson series 
  • Mythos by Stephen Fry  
  • Heroes by Stephen Fry 
  • The Mort D’Arthur – student friendly versions can be found 
  • The legends of Robin Hood 
  • Cotswold myths and legends. 
  • Any collections of world myths 

Supporting document/links: 

Y7 – Myths and Legends KO.pptx