Creation Myths
Myths are the oldest and most powerful of all story forms. They often carry an important message for a culture or group. Myths are stories that give people a relationship with the universe, the passing of time, and with their environment. Some myths give the official view of creation, others are a way to explain natural events. Myths were passed on by spoken word, and their function was to explain, to teach lessons, and to entertain.
Student Activities
1. Choose any two creation myths and compare them. What do they have in common? How do they differ. 2. Read two or more of the creation myths. Based on these, how would you define a myth? What might be the purpose of a myth? 3. What elements do many of these ancient creation myths have in common? Speculate on why this might be the case. |
4. Jigsaw Activity
This activity is designed to help students get to know the non-Hebrew creation myths. The five research topics are Babylonian (Enuma Elish), Australian Aboriginal, Chinese, Norse, and Hindu myth No. 1.
Jigsaw Activity Logistics
Jigsaw table: 5 home groups x 4 members. Each home group has 5 members and each research group has 4 members. Start in your home group, go to your research group to research the topic, then come back to home group to report your research. Distribute playing cards to each individual based on the diagram below.
This activity is designed to help students get to know the non-Hebrew creation myths. The five research topics are Babylonian (Enuma Elish), Australian Aboriginal, Chinese, Norse, and Hindu myth No. 1.
Jigsaw Activity Logistics
Jigsaw table: 5 home groups x 4 members. Each home group has 5 members and each research group has 4 members. Start in your home group, go to your research group to research the topic, then come back to home group to report your research. Distribute playing cards to each individual based on the diagram below.