Mythology and "The Odyssey" - (4 week lesson)

Objective:  Students will:
  -discover recommended steps and methods for writing research papers
  -explore the reasons for citing resources
  -explore the consequences of plagiarizing
  -gather information from at least 6 print resources and 4 electronic resources
  -gain experience in locating nonfiction research material through the Dewey Decimal System at the Nimitz High School Library
  -gain experience in searching for unfamiliar material in print resources
  -gain experience in citing resources used or consulted
  -gain experience in navigating and taking notes from print and electronic resources
  -learn about doing effective Internet searches
  -learn about evaluating the credibility of sources
  -examine the structure of the Works Cited page using MLA guidelines
  -create a Works Cited page

Procedure: 

First I'll take them to the library and show them how to gather and cite information from print sources. They need to have six print sources.

Next, we'll do Internet searches on NetTrekker and other web sources. They will learn to cite internet sources. They are to have four online resources.

Once they've gathered the information, I will have them create graphic organizers (Thinking Maps) to organize their data.

I will finally teach them how to outline their paper and how to do the Works Cited page. I'm asking them to include a map and at least one relevant picture, just as they would do if they were doing a full-blown research paper.

The topics I assigned include the mythologies of nine different cultures with the myths divided into three areas: death myths, creation myths, and a sample pantheon of deities (four deities, actually). That provides 27 different topics. None of the students (except a few who have accommodations) are doing Greek or Roman myths; I'm covering those as we study The Odyssey. The cultures I've assigned are: Australian Aborigine, Norse (Viking), Celtic, Aztec, Egyptian, African, Japanese/Chinese, Hindu, and Native American (with these last three, I'm hoping they'll begin to see the similarities, differences, and relationship between "religion" and "myth.").

Resources:  
   Research Paper Checklist
   Research Resource Sheetof Africa