Myths, Legends, and Tales Intro, Webquest, and Writing - Jenna Mulligan | Library

PART 1: TERMINOLOGY REVIEW 

1

Match the term to its definition.

A modern folk tale, often scary but can also be funny; usually the teller claims to know someone who experienced the story first-hand -"My cousin in Florida told me..."; usually meant as a cautionary tale to prevent young people from engaging in dangerous behavior
A traditional story, usually a very old one, meant to explain something like human behavior or a natural phenomenon, often contains supernatural being like gods or spirits
A story with unbelievable elements, that is told as if it were completely true; this type of story originated in America
A traditional story, often regarded as true history, but its history remains unproven.
A story that features magical creatures; it is often meant to convince children to behave well or embody specific morals
A story, usually with animals for characters, that is meant to convey a moral

LEGEND
MYTH
FAIRY TALE
FABLE
TALL TALE
URBAN LEGEND

1

Match the Keywords to the term they describe

traditional story, real settings/places, actual people, history
modern; controls behavior (teens); scary or funny, claims to know someone involved
over-exaggerated, unbelievable tasks, American
old story, explains, nature, gods, demigods, heroes
children’s story, magic, elves, goblins, wizards, witches and/or fairies; controls behavior
talking animals, coveys a moral

LEGEND
MYTH
FAIRY TALE
FABLE
TALL TALE
URBAN LEGEND

1

Match the example to the term it demonstrates.

Paul Bunyon. Paul Bunyan is told to be a larger than life lumberjack who is always accompanying by an equally large ox named Babe. The pair travel all around North America performing astronomical feats of strength, such as carving the grand canyon by dragging an ax along the ground.
Slenderman. A tale from the internet that became a modern sensation. A creepy creature lurks in the background of images and snatches children.
The story of King Arthur. Thought to be an early king of Britain, Arthur and his knights of the round table are famous for their daring quests. No archeological evidence of him or his magical kingdom of Camelot.
The Lion and the Mouse. A lion boasts that he is the strongest animal on the savannah, until he gets a thorn stuck in his paw. Unable to pull the tiny thorn out with his large paws, he must rely on the help of the smallest of creatures, the mouse.
The story of Anansi the Spider. Anansi the Spider is the god of storytelling and knowledge. Once there were no stories until he tricked the sky god Nyan into giving them to him. He passed them onto humanity to tell.
The story of Mulan. Historians believe she existed, but can't prove it. She stole her father's armor and fought in the army during the Warring States period of China's history.
The story of the Seven Ravens. Seven big brothers abandon their little sister to go and play and are cursed by a witch to become ravens. The little sister goes to find them when she's older and turns them back into men. They all live happily ever after.
The Grasshopper and The Ants. A grasshopper sings all summer and makes fun of the hardworking ants as they prepare for the coming winter. The ants have the last laugh when the grasshopper has not food to eat because he was not prepared.
John Henry. A larger than life railroad worker claims that he can dig a hole through a mountain faster than a steam shovel. He wins the race, but his large heart gives out.
The story of Pandora's Box. Pandora, the wife of the Titan, Epimetheus, is gifted a box from the gods. She is told never to open it, but the temptation proves overwhelming. She opens the box and releases all the bad things that plague humanity to this day, leaving only hope behind.
The story of Hansel and Gretel. A poor father leaves his son and daughter in the woods when he can't take care of them any longer. They stumble across a witch who tries to fatten them up before eating them. They escape and follow a trail of breadcrumbs home to live happily ever after.
Black-Eyed Children. An internet phenomenon that began with people sharing stories online of experiences they or accquaintances had with mysterious children with black eyes who seem to need permission to enter homes and cars.

LEGEND
MYTH
FAIRY TALE
FABLE
TALL TALE
URBAN LEGEND

PART 2: EXPLORING URBAN LEGENDS 

What is an Urban Legend: 
Use the following sources to answer the questions below. BEWARE: Random googling on this subject can bring up content that is not school appropriate. ONLY USE THE SOURCES YOU ARE GIVEN. 
SOURCE 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_legend
SOURCE 2: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20150126-how-to-create-an-urban-legend

1

What is an urban legend?

1

When and where did urban legends originate?

1

Why are they called “urban legends”? Why urban? Why legend?

1

What is the difference between an urban legend and a rumor?

1

What are a few common traits that characterize urban legends?

1

How can you spot an urban legend?

1

Are urban legends always false? Explain.

A Common Urban Legend - Bloody Mary 
Use the following source to answer the questions below. BEWARE: Random googling on this subject can bring up content that is not school appropriate. ONLY USE THE SOURCES YOU ARE GIVEN.
SOURCE: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/bloody-mary-story/

1

Summarize the most common version of the legend of Bloody Mary

1

What is one variation of the legend?

1

What is one common confusion with this legend?

1

What TWO movies featured the Bloody Mary legend and in what years were they produced?

Can You Spot The Fakes?

1

THE SEVEN-HEADED COBRA

1

HELICOPTER SHARK ATTACK

1

TWINS

1

MERMAID SKELETON FOUND IN THE BLACK SEA

1

MASSIVE CROCODILE FOUND IN DUMPSTER

1

EINSTEIN BIKES AWAY FROM A NUCLEAR TEST

1

CAT MOUNTAIN IN UKRAINE

1

PIG FACED FISH FOUND IN MALAYSIA

1

GIANT SNAKE FOUND IN THE RED SEA

1

FRIED CHICKEN OREOS AVAILABLE IN KOREA

1

OIL RIG TORNADO OFF THE GULF COAST

1

EYE SHAPED NEBULA

1

GIANT SPIDERS IN AUSTRALIA

1

RARE MONKEY FACE ORCHIDS

1

NIAGRA FALLS FROZEN OVER IN 1900

1

TIGER MOM ADOPTS PIGLETS

1

PUPPY HAS A HEART

1

RARE BLACK LION

PART 3: POPULAR URBAN LEGENDS 
Use the source provided to research 3 urban legends of your choice. For each story, provide a brief summary. 
The Vanishing Hitchhiker
The Babysitter and the Mysterious Phone Call
Phonecall From The Grave
Bugs on the Brain
Halloween Candy Pins
Color Changing Pool Water
School Bus Beheading
Sewer Alligators

1

Summarize your Urban Legend #1

1

Was your urban legend true or false?

1

Summarize your Urban Legend #2

1

Was your urban legend true or false?

1

Summarize your Urban Legend #3

1

Was your urban legend true or false?

1

In your opinion, why are urban legends so popular and why do so many people believe them?

1

In your opintion, in what ways are urban legends good? In which ways bad?

1

How and why do you think Urban legends spreading so rapidly?

PART 4: WRITE YOUR OWN URBAN LEGEND
Choose ONE of the pictures on this Google Slideshow to serve as inspiration for your urban legend. Remember to give your urban legend all of the necessary qualifications that you found in the Webquest above. 

Your finished legend should be at least 1 page, double spaced in Arial Font size 12 on GOOGLE DOCS. Please type your final copy on this Google Classroom Assignment. 