Teachers.netMyths and Legends: 25 Fascinating Projects You Can Build Yourself
From the Greek legend of Atlantis to West African creation myths, kids will discover the common themes and important knowledge conveyed by each story. They will even learn about the current events upon which some legends may have been based. Exploring the stories from many cultures, including those of Greek, Sumerian, Incan, Irish, African, and Native American people, readers will learn about the Celtic roots of Halloween, the beliefs and practices of voodoo, and the ancient Egyptian gods of the afterlife.
Hands-on activities bring the myths and legends to life, and help kids understand the cultures and traditions of the people that told them. Easy-to-follow projects use common household and recycled supplies, and include fortune telling, creating musical instruments, writing in ancient scripts, and fashioning a boomerang. World Myths and Legends takes kids on a fascinating adventure of imagination and mystery that will unveil wonders of the ancient world as well as help them appreciate the importance of oral traditions
GEEKDAD Wired Magazine April 28, 2010 — World Myths and Legends can quickly become a favorite due to it being about some of the most exciting and fantastical stories in existence. I’ve had this book for several weeks and we’re not even 25% into completing the crafts.,, I haven’t seen my nine year old excited about a book like this for a while.
Charlotte Library 5/10/10 —Although this book might sound like a fairly ordinary craft book, it is much more--it is also an excellent introduction to the cultures and myths of a diverse selection of peoples, and one I highly recommend to home-schoolers in particular. . . The projects themselves are extremely varied, and go beyond simple craft-ness. For instance, one activity for the Greek section is to use Euclidian geometry to make an equilateral triangle--fun with compasses! The point is that these are rather cool projects, such as I have never seen elsewhere.
“A remarkably comprehensive, accurate, and thoroughly readable overview of world mythology and legendry. World Myths and Legends will build a firm foundation for the
subsequent study and appreciation of this most important aspect of the human condition, and also lead to many hours of creative family fun.”— C. Scott Littleton, Professor of Anthropology, Emeritus, Occidental College, Los Angeles, California, author of The New Comparative Mythology
“This book is a terrific introduction for children to the subject of myths and legends. I cannot imagine a work that would more readily win the interest of children in the subject.”— Robert A. Segal, Sixth Century Chair in Religious Studies, University of Aberdeen, author of Myth: A Very Short Introduction.
“Sophisticated and fun.” — William Hansen, Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies & Folklore, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
Books About Mythology
Da vis, Kenneth C. Don’t Know Much About Mythology: Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Stories in Human History But Never Learned. Harper Collins, 2005.
Davis, Kenneth C. Don’t Know Much About World Myths. HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2005.
January, Brendan. The New York Public Library Amazing Mythology: A Book of Answers for Kids. John Wiley and Sons, 2000.
Mass, Wendy. Gods and Goddesses. Lucent Books, 2002.
Muten, Burleigh. Goddesses: A World of Myth and Magic. Barefoot Books, 2003.
Philip, Neil. The Kingfisher Book of Mythology: Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes from Around the World. Kingfisher Publications, 2001.
Philip, Neil. Mythology. Dorling Kindersley, 2000.
Philip, Neil. Mythology of the World. Kingfisher Publications, 2004.
Willis, Roy (editor). World Mythology. Duncan Baird Publishers, 1993.
Collections of World Myths
Bell-Rehwoldt, Sheri. Amazing Maya Projects You Can Build Yourself. Nomad Press, 2006.
Bini, Renata. A World Treasury of Myths, Legends, and Folktales: Stories From Six Continents. Harry N. Abrams, 2000.
Bordessa, Kris. Tools of the Ancient Greeks. Nomad Press, 2006.
Dickinson, Rachel. Tools of the Ancient Romans. Nomad Press, 2006.
Hamilton, Edith. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. Grand Central Publishing, 1999
McCaughrean, Geraldine. The Bronze Cauldron: Myths and Legends of the World. Margaret K. McElderry, 1998.
McCaughrean, Geraldine. The Crystal Pool: Myth and Legends of the World. Margaret K. McElderry, 1999.
McCaughrean, Geraldine. The Golden Hoard: Myths and Legends of the World. Margaret K. McElderry, 1996.
McCaughrean, Geraldine. The Silver Treasure: Myths and Legends of the World. Margaret K. McElderry, 1997.
Mutén, Burleigh. Goddesses: A World of Myth and Magic. Barefoot Books, 2003.
Philip, Neil. The Illustrated Book of Myths: Tales & Legends of the World. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
Randall, Ronne. The Children’s Book of Myths and Legends: Extraordinary Stories from Around the World. Bookmart Ltd., 2001.
Van Vleet, Carmella, Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself. Nomad Press, 2006.
Web Sites
The Big Myth Myths told with Flash animation and background information.
Center for Story and Symbol
Encyclopedia Mythica
Godchecker A light-hearted catalog of gods from around the world.
History for Kids Information about ancient history, geography, science, and culture.
Mr. Donn’s Ancient History Page Information for students about ancient history, including myths.
Mythography
Mythweb Simple versions of Greek myths, with fun animated illustrations.
Sacred Texts
Scholastic Myths, Folktales and Fairytales Short versions of world myths, and “myth
brainstorming machine.”
Windows to the Universe Mythology Myths related to astronomy.
Shawn Braley, Shawn Braley is an award-winning illustrator. He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He specializes in cartoon and editorial illustration. Braley is also a world traveler, musician, cat owner, and comic art collector. He lives in Southern Vermont. http://www.shawnbraley.com
The name “daruma” comes from the Buddhist word dharma. Dharma is the truth about the way things are and will always be in the universe or in nature. According to legend, a Buddhist monk sat for so many years meditating that his arms and legs stiffened up. From then on, he rolled from place to place spreading the teachings of Buddha. In Japan, people buy daruma dolls on New Years’ for good luck. The dolls come with blank eyes. To make a wish, you put a dot in the daruma’s left eye. If it comes true, you fill in the other eye.
