Summary  

Write a summary of what you read.  Include basic literary information, such as setting(s), character(s), plot (conflict & resolution), point of view, theme(s), and anything else that would be beneficial to the reader in better understanding what has happened. If the myth had a moral, what was it? How do you know?

Character Reaction

I really like/dislike____________________ (a character in the book you are reading) because . . . Give several reasons supported with specific examples of what the character does or says.  Remember, this is going to be significant because of the 150 words.

Putting Yourself in a Character’s Shoes

If I were _______ (character) at this point, I would . . . Give specific actions you would take and provide sound reasoning for those actions.

Retelling a Scene

Pick a myth and retell the events from a different character’s perspective . . .  Identify the scene, the character and how the scene is different in your retelling. Imagine you have entered the mind of that other character. You can write the scene as if you are that character recounting the events. You may want to use  dialogue.

Character Comparison

Compare/Contrast one of the characters with someone you really know.  Use specific examples about appearance, actions, personality, likes/dislikes, vocabulary, etc.  Support your examples with citations from your novel (page number).

Advice Column

Describe one of the problems faced by a character and write advice for him/her. You may choose to be serious or humorous. Use the letter format common to newspaper advice columns, where the person with the problem writes for advice and the adviser writes back. Often, the person seeking advice "disguises" his or her name with a descriptive name associated with the problem.

Alternative Ending

Write an alternative ending for one of the myths you read.  Try to maintain consistency with the myth's style. You must actually write the ending and not simply describe it.

Character Sketch

Write a character sketch describing your favorite mythological character.  Tell what the character is like outside (age, gender, hair, etc.) and inside (personality).  You may also draw a picture of this character if you wish. The point of a character sketch is not just to draw, however, it is to write about the character as if they are a friend, telling about their traits, their likes and dislikes, their values and ethics, and anything about the way they conduct themselves that makes them different from you.    

Fortune Cookies

You are dining at a Chinese restaurant with 3 characters from a myth you have read.  On that particular night, the fortune cookies are amazingly appropriate.  Tell what each fortune cookie said and why it was especially fitting to the character who received it.  Remember, 150 words is the minimum for the complete explanation.

Transporting a Character

Lift a character out of a myth you read and drop him or her down in our school.  Is the character a student, teacher, custodian, secretary, nurse, principal, cafeteria employee, etc.?  Don’t change the character’s personality—just show what might happen if he or she became one of us. Who would they be friends with, what sports would they be involved in, what classes would they be in?

Which Character Is Coming to Dinner?

Invite one of the characters from one of the myths to dinner, explaining why you chose that character above the others.  Next, write a note to your mother telling her that you have invited someone to dinner.  Describe the person to her; include a few do's and don’ts for her to follow so that your guest will feel at home.

Casting the Movie Version

You are the director in charge of filming the myth.  How will you cast it?  Make sure to name specific actors for the specific roles in the film. How will you handle the camera?  What do you have in mind for setting and sound?  How will you use color?  Why? Would you change the story at all? Would the ending be the same? What would you have to change to make your book a marketable movie? What music would you use?

Postcard to a Character

 Create a postcard for the novel following the directions below.
The postcard is written from you to a character in the myth
The stamp represents the setting
The address is to a specific character in the novel
Message includes one really important incident and 3 details
Some specific indication of your opinion of the book is included
Tack on a postscript (P.S.)
The picture side has an attractive drawing with the title of the book and the author’s name.

Making a Soundtrack

Just about every movie these days has a soundtrack that is marketed along with the movie.  The songs on the soundtrack use music and rhythm to set the scene and sometimes tell about characters from the movie.

Myths could come with soundtracks, too.  Readers could listen to the soundtracks while they read the myth.  In fact, if you have ever listened to a book-on-tape, they are sometimes produced with background music to set the mood of a scene or to build suspense.

Your job is to choose one of the myths you’ve read and create the soundtrack for it.  Your soundtrack project must have:

1. A minimum of six songs copied onto a cassette tape (or a CD, if you have a CD burner).  (The tape or CD will be returned to you at the end of the year.)
2. These six songs must reflect the book’s plot, themes, ideas, emotions, setting, characters, etc. AND BE APPROPRIATE FOR SCHOOL!  Check with your teacher if in doubt.
3. The tape or CD should have a cover with it with helpful and appropriate artwork that identifies the myth, the tracks and your name
4. A typed written part will list all the songs’ lyrics and their artists and explain (with at least one paragraph per song) what the songs are about and why you chose to include them.  

Writing a Play or Dramatic Reading

On the lines of the two plays presented in class, "The Trojan War" and "The Story of Helen," write a play based on any of the myths that could be presented to the class.

Staging a Myth

Describe the setting of your myth.  Design a stage for a scene of your book as if it were being presented as a stage play.  List your cast of characters from the myth and pick current actors or actresses to play those roles.  Also note if costumes will be needed for each character.

Time Capsule

Make a time capsule for the myth you read.  Tell what each character would put in and why.  Also include items that relate to the theme, plot, and setting.  Explain those as well.  You should write some very specific reasons for why you chose each item in the time capsule.  You need at least six items included in your time capsule.

Travel Brochure

Design a travel brochure for one of the myths you read.  Include a heading/title, pictures, a map, vivid descriptions, a list of things to do, interesting facts that relate to your mythl, and related historical information.  This brochure should be done utilizing technology and appear professional and clean.  Use a software program like Word or Publisher that allows you to use a brochure template. Do not cut out pictures from magazines and paste them onto construction paper and use handwriting for your text.

Party Time

Plan a party, outing, or event that you think one of the characters would enjoy.  The party should reflect his/her interests and likes.  Include the following:  theme(s), food, entertainment, decorations, dress, special effects, location, time, and other guests.  Write the plan below. The choices you make must fit the character and the mythical world he/she lives in.

 Time Line

Create an illustrated timeline of the major events in the myth.  Make your own drawings or use computer art and include approximate dates if exact ones cannot be obtained.  Remember that this must demonstrate both your technology and writing skills, so be sure that it is professionally done and that you have written a full explanation of each date and the significance to the novel.

Gift Giving

Think of what five (or more) gifts would be perfect to give to the main character in one of the myths.  They can be tangible or intangible, but should be things that he/she would really want or use.  Explain why you chose each in the space below.

Trial Summary

Pretend you are putting one of the characters from one of the myths on trial.  The character may not have committed any real crime, but could be on trial for being irresponsible, selfish, inconsiderate, arrogant, etc.  Be sure to include the following:  Name of the accused, crime, evidence, suggested punishment.  Summarize the trial.

Illustrator

Make six or more cartoons or drawings that show the major events in the myth.  Write a detailed description of what each of the illustrations means and why it is significant to the novel.

Poetry Time

Decide on what the theme of one of your chosen myths is and then write a several (three or more) poems or a song to communicate the myth’s theme, the thoughts or experiences of specific characters, or your personal thoughts on the topics. Suggestion: create a bio poem on one of the characters.

Book Cover

Design a new cover for one of the myths.  Then write a brief summary for the back cover.  Make your cover and writing interesting, so as to intrigue others enough to read this myth.  You may draw your cover or create it on the computer.

Selling the Book

Design an advertisement that will sell your myth to two of the following:  the owner of a bookstore, a concerned parent, a reluctant reader, a movie watcher, someone from your family. For each advertisement, identify the need (why does the person need your myth), create an attention getter, and show the satisfied customer (how he or she is happy with the myth).

Board Game Design

Create a board game that is based on your myth.  Include several events from the myth as well as any facts that are relevant to it.  Include all of the following:  name of the game, objective of the players, scoring, rules, and board design.

Traveling in a Novel

If you were going to join the characters in the book, what would you pack?  Write an explanation of ten or more items you would bring and why.  They may be tangible or intangible items.

Collage

Create a collage of interests of the characters, themes of the myth, etc., from pictures from magazines or the internet that are cut out carefully, chosen intentionally and are placed together in an organized manner that is not haphazard. Then write up a description of why you chose each picture and how it is symbolic of your novel.

Letter to a Greek Myth Scholar

Write a letter posing questions about the myth.  Include at least 5 questions.  Be sure to start your letter with a greeting and some information about yourself and your reaction to the myth.  Follow correct business letter format. (This is a closing log selection only).