Grade Level:     6-7 Subjects:      Language Arts     Art

Learner Outcomes:
    Students will read about and choose a favorite myth from the classical mythology presentation in Lesson 1. They will summarize their myths as newspaper articles in the style of tabloid journals. Students will create drawings to illustrate the articles and scan them into the computer. Using Microsoft Publisher or other type of desktop publishing software, students will plan the layout of their articles and artwork and create a class newspaper exhibiting their designs. Link to the Art/Architecture Page.

Duration of Lesson:
    5-7 Forty-five (45) minute lessons

Materials:
    Sample newspapers or journals
    Basic drawing materials
    Examples of artwork illustrating the myths
    D'Aulaire's, Book of Greek Myths
    Bernard Evalin, Heroes, God and Monsters of the Greek Myths
    Edith Hamilton,  Mythology
    Anne White, Golden Treasury of Myths and Legends
    Bernard Evalin, Heroes, God and Monsters of the Greek Myths

Technology Tools/Courseware:
    Microsoft Publisher or other appropriate software
    Internet access
    Scanners

Teacher Notes:
    While this plan is presented as writing a "tabloid" type paper sensationalizing a chosen myth, care should be taken in choosing appropriate examples for reviewing types of articles and layout design. A signed Acceptable Use Policy should be on file for all students.

Procedures:
    1. Students will be shown examples of newspapers, journals and tabloids. Discuss the differences between the different types of writings. Discuss the inverted pyramid format (most important information at the top, least important at the bottom). Discuss and show examples of the who, what, where, when concept of writing articles.
    2. Students will research different myths in classical Greek and Roman mythology using the books referenced above or the Bulfinch Internet site. Students will choose a favorite myth to write a "sensationalized" type of article pretaining to this myth.
    3. Students will draw an illustration for their article using black pen and 9" x 11" drawing paper. Students will then become editors, critiquing the articles and drawings, choosing those that they believe will be the best for their published newspaper/tabloid.
    4. Illustrations will be scanned to use in their publication.
    5. Using desktop publishing software students will publish their creations.

Modifications:
    Adjustments may be made according to students' IEP or as needed.

Enrichment Activities:
    Students may publish their newspapers on the web.

Evaluation Activites:
  Students will be evaluated according to participation in discussion and construction of components of the final project. The following rubric will be used to evaluate the newspaper article and drawing:
 

West Virginia IGO's:
    Language Arts: 6.153, 6.154, 6.156, 6.160, 7.19-7.37, 7.38-7.50, 7.52, 7.66
    Visual Art: 6.1, 6.8,6.15- 6.19, 6.24, 6.27, 7.1,7.2. 7.6,7.8, 7.14, 7.15, 7.16,7.17, 7.18, 7.19, 7.24, 7.26, 7.277.28, 7.29

National Standards:
     Fine Arts:
-Understands and applies media, techniques, and processes related to the visual arts.
-Knows how to use structures (e.g., sensory qualities,organizational principles, expressive features) and  functions of art.
-Knows a range of subject matter, symbols, and potential ideas in the visual arts.
    Language Arts:
-Gathers and uses information for research purposes
-Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies of the reading process
-Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies for reading a variety of literary texts
-Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies of the writing process
 

Career Clusters:
    Fine Arts and Humanities
    Business and Marketing
 

References:
    D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths
    Bernard EvalinHeroes, God and Monsters of the Greek Myths
    Edith Hamilton Mythology
    Anne White Golden Treasury of Myths and Legends
    http://www.bulfinch.org
    The New York Times
    Listing of newspapers from all over the world
 
 

Authors:
     Mark Graham, Melissa Ridenour, & Vicky Neal
      Bruceton School - Preston County Schools