URI Kids - Activities
URI Kids - Activities
Passage Comparison: Creation Stories
Objective:
To provide an opportunity for students to explore the concept of "creation
stories" as a part of religions and sacred traditions. Why do sacred texts often
include a creation story? Why do we have so many creation myths passed down by
different peoples from different ancient cultures all around the world? Why is
there and has there always been a basic human need to answer the question,
"Where do we come from?" The purpose of this lesson is not whether or not the
stories are true. The purpose is exploring what seems to be a basic, common
aspect of human nature – the need to know who you are and where you came from.
Materials:
Creation stories and myths from various religions and spiritual traditions and
cultures.
Excellent source: In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World
told by Virginia Hamilton.
The Lesson:
Day One and Two: Have students read or read out loud to students
at least 3 different creation stories from three different religions, ancient
cultures and/or spiritual traditions.
Homework for Day One: Assign one more story as a reading assignment.
Day Three: Once students have several stories in mind, talk about
what makes a creation story a creation story. Talk about what questions the
stories are helping people explore. Talk about similarities and differences.
Day Four: Homework (needs more than one night of work-maybe assign
after Day Two):
Let students create their own "creation story." Have them include elements that
these stories seem to have in common but give them freedom to interpret the
assignment their own way. Have students create at least one illustration for the
story.
Follow-up/Assessment:
The student's creation stories serve as the major assessment for this lesson.
Optional: Have students read their stories aloud to each other and/or create a
book (or e-zine) of original creation stories with illustrations done by the
students.