Language Arts/ Writing Activity/ Origin Myths

Objective: To demonstrate understanding of proverbs by identifying and writing an illustrative story. To write an origin myth for a proverb.

Materials: Picture Cards from Proverbial Wisdom, Overhead Transparency of one Picture Card (optional), paper, & pens/ pencils

Procedures:

1. Discuss with students what a proverb is.

2. In small groups, have the students generate a list of proverbs they have heard. Discuss the proverbs and why people would have made them up.

3. Tell the students that you are going to tell them a story that uses a proverb correctly but they should try to guess the proverb that ends the story.

   Proverb Story
   Sonya and the President's five other speech writers were arguing all night about what the President should say in his speech the next day. By the following afternoon, they were still arguing and there was no speech for the President to deliver at his appearance. He remembered what a fine job Sonya had done by herself writing a speech for him a month earlier. He muttered to himself, Boy, this really shows that _ _ _ _ _ _ .

   (Draw lines on the board to represent each word as a hint if the students need it. You can also reproduce the drawing of Too many cooks spoil the broth if the students need another hint.)

4. Create a story with the class using another picture card from the deck. If possible enlarge it and put on the overhead for students to identify.

5. Have students discuss the meaning of the proverb and different situations in which it might be used. As a class, create a story that would show the proper use of the proverb.

6. Have the students randomly choose one picture card and identify the proverb. Once the student has correctly identified the proverb, instruct him/her to create a story and leave only blanks for the proverb (just like it is done on the picture card in the game). Student will creatively write a story which explains the origin/ need for the proverb. The story should end with the proverb being used to illustrate its meaning.

7. After all groups are complete, either have students switch papers or have the groups read their stories out loud for the other groups to guess.

8. Before the students leave, challenge them to use a proverb in a conversation at home with their families.