Literature: African and Non-African Myths and Legends for JSS 3

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 13 – 14 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: English Language Studies
Curriculum Theme: Literature
Previous Lesson: Grammar/Structure: Adverbials and Tenses
Topic: Literature: African and Non-African Myths and Legends
Subject Matter: African and non-African tales comprising of myths and legends

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Describe African and Non-African Myths and Legends.
• Explain the meaning and distinguishing features of myths and legends.
• Describe themes and moral lessons in selected examples of myths and legends.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the cultural significance of myths and legends.
• Show interest in reading and discussing various traditional tales.

Psychomotor Domain

• Identify specific examples of myths and legends when presented with stories.
• Discuss the features, themes, and moral lessons of given tales.

Social Domain

• Collaborate with peers in discussing and analysing literary materials.
• Share personal interpretations of moral lessons from the stories.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2014 Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable English Language textbook for JSS 3
• FCT ERC/NAPPS Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts displaying definitions and features of myths and legends.
• Selected short stories or excerpts of African and Non-African myths and legends.
• Pictures or illustrations depicting characters or scenes from popular myths and legends.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it introduces students to rich oral traditions that shape cultural identities and values. Understanding myths and legends helps students appreciate diverse storytelling forms and extract universal themes and moral lessons. This knowledge also enhances their literary comprehension and critical thinking skills.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of storytelling and different types of narratives from their earlier English Language classes.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Literature: African and Non-African Myths and Legends

Meaning of Myths and Legends

Myths are traditional stories, often ancient, that explain natural or social phenomena, the origins of the world, or human customs through supernatural beings or events. They are usually sacred and believed to be true by the people who tell them.

Legends are traditional stories that are often based on historical events or figures, but which have been embellished and exaggerated over time. They are usually presented as historical accounts, though they may contain fantastical elements, and are often set in a specific time and place.

Distinguishing Features of Myths and Legends

While both are traditional stories, they have key differences:

1. Origin/Purpose: Myths often explain creation, natural phenomena, or religious beliefs, involving gods and goddesses. Legends often recount heroic deeds of historical or semi-historical figures, explaining the origin of a place or a cultural practice.
2. Characters: Myths typically feature deities, supernatural beings, or primordial heroes. Legends often feature human heroes, kings, warriors, or saints, though they may interact with supernatural elements.
3. Truth Claim: Myths are often considered sacred truths by their adherents. Legends are often believed to have a basis in historical fact, even if exaggerated.
4. Setting: Myths are often set in a primordial time, outside of ordinary human history. Legends are typically set in a specific historical period and geographical location.

African Myths and Legends

African myths and legends are rich and diverse, reflecting the continent’s many cultures and traditions. They often feature animal characters, tricksters, creation stories, and tales of ancestral heroes.

Examples:

1. Anansi the Spider (West Africa): Anansi is a trickster character who often outsmarts larger, more powerful creatures through cunning and wit. He is a symbol of human weakness and intelligence.
2. The Legend of Queen Amina of Zazzau (Nigeria): This legend tells of a powerful Hausa warrior queen who expanded her kingdom and built fortifications. She is celebrated for her military prowess and leadership.
3. The Origin of Death (Yoruba Myth, Nigeria): This myth explains how death came into the world, often involving a messenger who failed to deliver a message of immortality, bringing mortality instead.

Non-African Myths and Legends

Non-African myths and legends are equally varied, originating from cultures across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. They often involve gods, heroes, monsters, and quests.

Examples:

1. Zeus and the Olympians (Greek Mythology): Stories about Zeus, the king of the gods, and other deities like Hera, Poseidon, and Athena, who controlled various aspects of the world and human life.
2. King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (British Legend): Tales of a legendary British king who defended his kingdom with his noble knights, seeking the Holy Grail and embodying chivalry.
3. Romulus and Remus (Roman Mythology): The myth of twin brothers raised by a she-wolf who founded the city of Rome, with Romulus eventually killing Remus to become the first king.

Themes and Moral Lessons in Selected Examples

Myths and legends often convey deep themes and moral lessons relevant to human experience.

1. Anansi the Spider:
   • Theme: Cunning over strength, the consequences of greed.
   • Moral Lesson: Intelligence and wit can overcome physical power; excessive greed often leads to downfall.
2. The Legend of Queen Amina of Zazzau:
   • Theme: Leadership, courage, female empowerment.
   • Moral Lesson: Strong leadership and bravery can lead to prosperity and expansion; women can be powerful and effective leaders.
3. Zeus and the Olympians:
   • Theme: Power, justice, fate, human flaws reflected in gods.
   • Moral Lesson: Even powerful beings are subject to flaws and consequences; the importance of respecting divine power.
4. King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table:
   • Theme: Chivalry, loyalty, heroism, betrayal, the quest for ideals.
   • Moral Lesson: Upholding virtues like honour and loyalty is important; the pursuit of noble goals can be challenging but rewarding.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Guided Reading, Storytelling, Group Work

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher begins by telling a very brief, engaging traditional story (either a myth or a legend) and then asks students if they know other similar stories from their culture or from books they have read. The teacher then introduces the topic: African and Non-African Myths and Legends.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the story and share any traditional stories they know.

Learning Point: Introduction to traditional stories

Step 2: Meaning of Myths and Legends

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of “myth” and “legend” using simple language and examples. The teacher uses the chart to highlight the core definitions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions, and attempt to define the terms in their own words.

Learning Point: Definitions of myth, legend

Step 3: Distinguishing Features

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Comparison/Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to identify and discuss the distinguishing features between myths and legends, focusing on their purpose, characters, truth claims, and settings. The teacher uses the chart to illustrate these differences.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and discuss the differences, contributing their understanding.

Learning Point: Features of myths and legends

Step 4: African Myths and Legends

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents selected examples of African myths and legends (e.g., Anansi the Spider, Queen Amina). The teacher briefly narrates or provides excerpts for students to read, guiding them to identify the type of story and its key elements.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to or read the stories, identify if they are myths or legends, and discuss key elements.

Learning Point: Examples of African tales

Step 5: Non-African Myths and Legends

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents selected examples of Non-African myths and legends (e.g., Zeus, King Arthur). The teacher briefly narrates or provides excerpts for students to read, guiding them to identify the type of story and its key elements.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to or read the stories, identify if they are myths or legends, and discuss key elements.

Learning Point: Examples of Non-African tales

Step 6: Themes and Moral Lessons

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Critical Thinking/Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to discuss the themes and moral lessons embedded in the examples of myths and legends discussed in Steps 4 and 5. The teacher encourages students to relate these lessons to real-life situations.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss the themes and moral lessons, sharing their interpretations.

Learning Point: Themes and moral lessons

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is the main difference between a myth and a legend?
2. Give two examples of African myths or legends.
3. Give two examples of Non-African myths or legends.
4. What moral lesson can be learned from the story of Anansi the Spider?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding myths and legends

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning, features, examples, themes, and moral lessons of myths and legends into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of myths and legends in understanding culture and conveying timeless wisdom. The teacher encourages students to read more traditional stories.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Consolidation of concepts

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Research and write a short summary (100-150 words) of one African myth or legend and one Non-African myth or legend that were not discussed in class. For each story, identify its main theme and moral lesson.

1. Choose one African myth or legend.
2. Write a short summary of the story.
3. Identify its main theme.
4. State the moral lesson.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for a Non-African myth or legend.

Lesson Keywords

• Myth – A traditional story, often ancient, explaining natural phenomena or origins through supernatural beings.
• Legend – A traditional story based on historical events or figures, often embellished over time.
• Trickster – A character in folklore who uses cunning and deceit to achieve goals, often for good or mischief.
• Theme – The central idea or underlying message of a story.
• Moral Lesson – The teaching or message about how to behave that a story conveys.

Differentiation

For students who struggle, the teacher can provide simpler, shorter versions of myths and legends or focus on just one example from each category. More advanced students can be encouraged to compare and contrast the themes across different cultures or research the historical context behind certain legends.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for: JSS3 African Non-African Myths Legends