Literature: Moral Lessons from Myths and Legends for JSS 3

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 14 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: English Language Studies
Curriculum Theme: Literature
Previous Lesson: Grammar/Structure: Functions of Adverbs, Conjunctions and Prepositions
Topic: Literature
Subject Matter: Lesson from myths or legends Moral lessons from given myths or legends Myths- Story about ancient gods and heroes and monsters. Legends- An old traditional story that is usually not true

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Explain the meaning of myths and legends.
• Identify distinguishing features of myths and legends.
• Describe moral lessons from myths and legends.
• State themes and moral lessons in selected examples.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the cultural value of myths and legends.
• Show interest in discussing moral lessons from stories.

Psychomotor Domain

• Discuss selected literary material.
• Extract themes and moral lessons from a given story.

Social Domain

• Participate actively in group discussions about 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:

• A chart displaying definitions of myths and legends.
• A short story text or excerpt of a myth or legend (e.g., “How the Tortoise Got His Cracked Shell”).
• Whiteboard and markers.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it introduces students to traditional narratives that convey cultural values and ethical principles. Understanding myths and legends helps students develop critical thinking skills by identifying underlying messages and applying them to real-life situations. It also enriches their appreciation for storytelling and literary analysis.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of storytelling and be able to identify simple plots and characters in narratives.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Moral Lessons from Myths and Legends

Meaning of Myths and Legends

Myths and legends are traditional stories that have been passed down through generations, often explaining natural phenomena, cultural beliefs, or historical events, and usually carrying significant moral or ethical lessons.

1. Myths: These are ancient stories, often involving gods, goddesses, heroes, and supernatural beings. They typically explain the origins of the world, natural events, or human customs and beliefs. Myths are usually sacred and reflect the worldview of the culture they come from.
2. Legends: These are traditional stories that are often based on historical events or real people, but have been embellished over time with fictional elements. Legends are usually set in a specific time and place and often feature heroic figures or extraordinary deeds, though they are not considered sacred in the same way myths are.

Distinguishing Features of Myths and Legends

While both are traditional stories, they have distinct characteristics:

1. Characters:
   • Myths: Often feature gods, goddesses, demigods, and supernatural creatures.
   • Legends: Often feature human heroes, historical figures, or extraordinary individuals.
2. Purpose:
   • Myths: Explain the inexplicable (creation, natural phenomena, human condition), convey religious beliefs, and establish cultural values.
   • Legends: Commemorate historical events, celebrate heroic deeds, or teach moral lessons through human experience.
3. Setting:
   • Myths: Often set in a timeless past, in a sacred or primordial realm.
   • Legends: Often set in a specific historical period and geographical location, though details may be exaggerated.
4. Truth Claim:
   • Myths: Believed to be sacred truths by their original tellers, even if not literally factual.
   • Legends: Often rooted in historical fact, but their details are usually exaggerated and not entirely factual.

Moral Lessons from Myths and Legends

Myths and legends serve as powerful tools for teaching moral lessons, guiding behaviour, and reinforcing societal values. Common moral lessons include:

1. The consequences of pride, greed, or disobedience.
2. The importance of humility, kindness, and generosity.
3. The value of courage, perseverance, and sacrifice.
4. The dangers of deceit and trickery.
5. The rewards of honesty and hard work.
6. The significance of respecting elders and traditions.
7. The power of love, friendship, and loyalty.

Themes and Moral Lessons in Selected Examples

Let’s consider a popular Nigerian legend:

“How the Tortoise Got His Cracked Shell”

Summary: The Tortoise, known for his cunning and greed, was invited to a feast in the sky by the birds. He borrowed feathers from the birds to fly and changed his name to “All of You” so he could claim all the food meant for “All of You.” When the birds discovered his trick, they took back their feathers, leaving him stranded. He asked a bird to tell his wife to lay soft things on the ground for his fall, but the bird, angry at his deceit, told her to lay hard things instead. The Tortoise fell, and his shell broke into many pieces, which were then glued back together, leaving it cracked forever.

Themes:

1. Greed: The Tortoise’s insatiable desire for food led him to deceive his hosts.
2. Deceit/Trickery: His clever but dishonest plan to claim all the food.
3. Consequences of Actions: His actions directly led to his punishment and the permanent cracking of his shell.
4. Justice/Retribution: The birds’ collective action to punish the Tortoise for his betrayal.

Moral Lessons:

1. Greed leads to downfall: The Tortoise’s greed caused him to lose everything and suffer a permanent injury.
2. Honesty is the best policy: Deceit and trickery eventually lead to negative consequences and loss of trust.
3. Respect for others: The Tortoise showed disrespect to his hosts by trying to cheat them.
4. What goes around comes around: The Tortoise’s actions resulted in a fitting punishment.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Guided Practice, Group Work, Individual Practice.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Engaging

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher begins by asking students if they know any old stories about heroes, gods, or animals that teach a lesson. The teacher then briefly introduces the concept of myths and legends as traditional stories with moral lessons.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share stories they know and listen attentively to the introduction.

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 the chart and provides simple examples for each (e.g., Greek myths for myths, Anansi stories for legends).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarity, and write down the definitions.

Learning Point: Definitions of myth, legend

Step 3: Distinguishing Features

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Comparative Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to identify and discuss the distinguishing features of myths and legends, highlighting differences in characters, purpose, setting, and truth claims.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion, comparing and contrasting the features of myths and legends.

Learning Point: Features of myths and legends

Step 4: Introduction to Moral Lessons

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Concept Introduction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that myths and legends are not just stories but also vehicles for teaching important moral lessons and values. The teacher asks students to think about why people tell such stories.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils reflect on the purpose of traditional stories and share their ideas.

Learning Point: Purpose of moral lessons

Step 5: Reading a Selected Legend

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Reading/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes a short excerpt or tells the story of “How the Tortoise Got His Cracked Shell.” The teacher guides students to read or listen carefully, focusing on the characters’ actions and the events.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils read the story silently or listen attentively, preparing to discuss its content.

Learning Point: Understanding story plot

Step 6: Identifying Themes and Moral Lessons

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Critical Thinking/Facilitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the story. The teacher asks questions like: “What did Tortoise do wrong?” “What happened to him as a result?” “What lesson can we learn from this story?” The teacher helps students identify the themes (e.g., greed, deceit) and explicit moral lessons.

Pupils’ Activity: Students identify and explain the literary features, themes, and moral lessons from the story, discussing their findings in pairs or small groups.

Learning Point: Extracting themes and morals

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. Mention two distinguishing features of a myth.
3. From the story of the Tortoise, what was his main character flaw?
4. State one moral lesson you learned from the Tortoise’s story.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessment of understanding

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, including the definitions, features, and the example of “How the Tortoise Got His Cracked Shell,” into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson content

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarisation/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the main points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of myths and legends in conveying moral lessons and cultural values. The teacher encourages students to look for moral lessons in other stories they encounter.

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

Learning Point: Consolidation of concepts

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Read another myth or legend from your local culture or a storybook and answer the following questions:

1. What is the title of the myth/legend?
2. Briefly summarise the story in your own words.
3. Identify two main themes present in the story.
4. What moral lesson(s) can you learn from this story?

Lesson Keywords

• Myth – An ancient story about gods, heroes, or supernatural beings, often explaining natural phenomena or origins.
• Legend – A traditional story based on historical events or people, often exaggerated but not entirely factual.
• Moral Lesson – A teaching or message about how to behave, derived from a story.
• Theme – The main subject, idea, or message that a story explores.
• Cunning – Skill in achieving one’s ends by deceit or evasion.
• Greed – Intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food.

Differentiation

For students who grasp concepts quickly, encourage them to research and present a myth or legend from a different culture and compare its moral lessons with those discussed in class. For students needing more support, provide simpler story examples or work in smaller groups to identify themes and moral lessons with more direct guidance from the teacher.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search YouTube for: moral lessons from myths and legends JSS3