About Our School

Classrooms

Featured Programs

Parent Resources

PTSA & CSC

From Kids

History

BROMWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (214)
2500 East
Fourth Avenue,
80206-4214
(Columbine Street at East Fourth Avenue)

Telephone:
(303) 388-5969
Fax: (720) 424-9355
E-mail: Bromwell@dpsk12.org

Mr. Jonathan Wolfer, Principal

MYTHOLOGICAL MEDALLIONS

After studying a myth or group of myths, you will then create a project that will involve writing and artwork. Here is what is required:

1. A STORY
A brief retelling of a myth in your own words, or your own entirely new story using familiar characters from mythology. Either way, this should be a short piece, no more than one page . You should write the rough draft, but your parents can help you revise the draft to create the finished piece. The finished text can be handwritten or typed (and double-spaced in an easy-to-read font).

Your story should have only three paragraphs: one each for the beginning, middle and end of the narrative. You should present the setting, the characters and the action in clear and precise language. Focus carefully on presenting just these these elements so that you don’t go over the page limit.

2. A POEM
A short but vivid poem about a character in your story. It should be no more than four lines long, and it should not rhyme. It should include colorful and descriptive language, and at least two examples of alliteration. Alliteration is found in groups of words that begin with the same sounds, such as The hero Herakles held his head high or The daughter of Demeter looked down into the depths of the darkness. Alliteration is a poetic technique that catches a reader’s interest and emphasizes important passages in a poem.

3. A MEDALLION
This will feature the face of a character in your story – etched, beaten or carved into a piece of copper, foil, papier mache, or clay. Ms. Shellburg, our new art teacher, will demonstrate how to do this during a session at school, and help you get started. Then you will take your work home for the finishing touches.

ASSEMBLING THE PROJECT:
The three pieces of this project should be arranged on a large piece of black paper or poster board. You can decorate this black board with white, red, gold or silver borders (examples will be sent home). The rough draft should be glued or attached to the back. Also on the back, include a simple bibliography of sources (just the titles and authors of books read for the project).

Two extra credit options for this assignment are to create additional poems or illustrations for your story. Other ideas for extra credit require special permission.

Note to Parents
Here’s how you can help your student with his or her mythology project:

Review these instructions with your student and check to make sure that he or she understands the requirements.

Assist your student in locating appropriate retellings of mythology at the local library or your favorite bookstore. Aim for books that your student can comprehend well and read fluently and accurately. Most of the time he or she should read these books independently, but you can also take turns reading to model fluency and to encourage discussion.

But after that... please do NOT help your student brainstorm ideas. These kids are fourth graders now, after all, and the more independent work at they do at beginning of the project, the better. They’ll feel greater ownership, be more committed to follow-through, and also they’ll be better self-starters when the next project comes along. We know it is tempting to share your own creative ideas -- we do try to make these projects fun -- but this is the part that the children should do on their own. That’s how children really become students, after all.

After the brainstorming comes the rough drafts, and after THAT you can get re-involved by helping your student with revisions and preparation of the final product. You can use the rubric below to check on the different components.

If you have any questions, please check with me!



GRADING RUBRIC - 25 Points Possible

1. Story
a. 1 page - 1 point possible
b. 3 paragraphs (beginning, middle, end) - 1 point possible
c. Presents setting, characters, action - from 1 to 3 points possible
d. Clear, focused language - from 1 to 4 points possible

2. Poem
a. 4 lines - 1 point possible
b. No rhymes - 1 point possible
c. Two passages use alliteration - from 1 to 2 points possible
d. Rich, vivid language - from 1 to 4 points possible

4. Medallion - from 1 to 2 points possible

5. Presentation
a. Black paper or board with decorated borders - from 1 to 2 points possible
b. Rough draft on back - 2 points possible
c. Bibliography on back - 2 points possible


Back to A-6: Mr. Replogle's Fourth Grade Classroom
Back to A-5: Ms. Lewis' Fourth Grade Classroom


Back to 4th Grade Monthly Projects