Mystery Question Answered!

The real Jack the Giant killer was a Cornishman who slew a terrible giant who had been plaguing the poor people of Cornwall for many years. The story is thought to be over a thousand years old and refers to some real places in Cornwall although whether it actually happened is debateable.

You can read more about the story, and tales of other giants Jack killed, by clicking here.

Today's Homework

1. Daily Maths 1 + 5
2. Reading Log - choose 2 activites for your book. Remember to highlight the ones you have done.
   
3. Research a constellation - choose a constellation, answer the questions we discussed in class. You might want to think of your own questions as well. Write at least 5 questions and answers. You could start looking for information here.

If you want to download that amazing star program that we were using in class today, you can get it from here. It's called 'Stellarium'. It's not a big program so you should be able to download it quite quickly.

And on the second day, they created a myth...

Here's a few photos of the posters that people made as part of their presentations of creation myths. As you might be able to see from the (small) pictures, a lot of work went in to them. They were very colourful, bright, covered in pictures and interesting for us to look at while we listened to the stories that were on them. I'll be trying to find a place in the classroom to display them so we can keep them around us for a while longer.

One of the most interesting aspects of the presentation, which we'll be thinking about this week, is the effect that these myths might have had on the people who told them. Many of the myths tell us that the Earth was created in conflict or because of an argument between different gods or people. Some of them talk about how one god created all that was good and then another god created all that was bad. Some say that one of the gods tricked another into creating things or even killing someone in order to have power over creation. Only one myth, that we've come across, tells of how man and nature lived together originally and everything is equal in the eyes of the creator. I wonder if there is any connection between the creation myths and the way we see the world working around us?

Anyway, enough of that pessimistic talk. We are the children of the 21st century, as some old song puts it. We can create a better world tomorrow through our efforts today. Enjoy the photos!

Presentations and Treason!

Remember, remember the 16th of November,
PowerPoint, Posters...the lot!
I see no reason
Why creation myth presentations
Should ever be forgot!

Please work on your presentations over the weekend. You will have to give them on Sunday and practice, as adults are so fond of saying, makes perfect.

Mythter and Mytheth

As I was scouring the interweb, slaving away until the wee small hours, I discovered a fantastic website for creation myths. It has short movies telling the story of creation myths from different parts of the world. I've put it in the Myths and Legends section on the right but I'm making a special post because I thought it was so good.

The website is called The Big Myth and you can find it here.