Serrano Myths and Legends

Teachers Notes

Grade Level and Unit:

    Grade 3, Unit 1
    Grade 4, Unit 2

History/Social Science Standards: Grade 3

Students describe the American Indian nations in thier local region long ago and in the recent past in terms of the national identities, religious beliefs, customs, and various folklore traditions.

History/Social Science Standards: Grade 4

Students describe the social, political, cultural, and economic life and interactions among people of California from the pre-Columbian societies to the Spanish mission and Mexican rancho periods, in terms of the major nations of California Indians, their geographic distribution, economic activities, legends, and religious beliefs; how they adapted to, and modified the physical environment by cultivation of land and sea resources.

Grade 3 and 4: Language Arts Standards

1.0 Writing Strategies: Students write clear and coherent sentences and paragraphs that develop a central idea. Their writing considers audience and purpose. They sucessfully use the stages of the writing process.

2.0 Writing Applications: Students write compositions that describe and explain familiar objects, events, and experiences. Student's writing demonstrates a command of standard English and the drafting, research, and organizational strategies outlined in Writing Standard 1.0.

Time Required:

2 hours of computer-time
2-3 hours of story writing and illustrating time

Materials Needed:

Students will need white construction paper and crayons/markers to illustrate their myth.

In addition to student research, the teacher may wish to read aloud a Native American myth in class. There are numerous websites on the internet that feature Native American myths appropriate for classroom use. American Indian Myths and Legends by Richard Erdos and Alfonzo Ortiz is an excellent volume of Native American Legends.


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