Text: Children
of Odin by Padriac Collum
Grade Level: suitable for 5th through 8th grades
Background: In preparation for this project, the students read the book Children of Odin. It covers most of the stories about Odin and the other gods of Norse mythology, and while the reading level is not challenging, the style is lovely and lyrical, and attempts to capture the "sense" of the old languages. However, this project could be used with any selection of Norse stories, as long as it includes information on Ygdrassil, the Tree of Life.
Pedagogy: Because the stories of Norse Mythology are imaginative and gory, and appeal to the imagination of middle school children, I want them to remember the fun involved, and I do not want them to memorize lists of strange names and places. Some years ago, I developed this alternative assessment project that I believe fosters creativity and provides an experience that helps the students to learn the material in a way that may help them to remember some of it in years to come.
Project: After we have read the book, we get ready to create the Norse Tree of Life, Ygdrassil. Since this is the basis of Norse life, it provides the background for the rest of the stories. The goal is to build the tree and add characters, monsters, places, etc, that we have studied, and basically present the main stories of Norse mythology.
Before we begin, I divide the students into groups, trying to include
one organizer, one detail person, and one artistic person per group.
Then I give them time to brainstorm. They make lists of what should go
on their tree. They must add many details to get enough points.
Single characters are three points, and scenes from stories are four to
six points, depending on how much work is involved. For example, if they
include the character Loki, that is three points. If they include
Loki cutting Sif's hair, that is worth five points. If they include
Brynhild, that is three points, but if they include Brynhild in the hall
surrounded by flames, that would probably be five points. If they
included Brynhild, the house of flames, and Sigurd riding through the flames,
that would be worth six points. Students find it very easy
to get one hundred or more points. This year, several groups earned over
200 points. I have them keep the lists and projected points, and I use
it to see how much thought they put in at the preliminary stages.
Materials: I have the
students bring supplies from home, and I include this stipulation.
They must not spend more than three dollars on supplies. They may
use "stuff" from around the house. For examples, this year
projects included paper towel rolls, tin foil, scraps of material, clay,
wrapping paper, popsicle sticks, wire ties that are found on bread wrappers,
boxes of all sizes, and anything else that looked useful. The big
expenditures seemed to be paint, hot glue, and posterboard. Everything
else was stuff that probably would have been thrown out eventually. They
also have to plan how they will build the tree and represent the different
worlds on it.
Once we get lists of ideas and supplies, we are ready to begin.
Making this project takes four or five classes, but I have found that the
interest and enthusiasm it generates is well worth the time.
Building: With instructions about staying on the project, general behavior guidelines, reminders to be careful, and directions on what is expected in the way of cleanup before leaving class, they can begin. I have found that I need to give very little in the way of help at this point, other that showing excitement at their creations. My only problem is getting them to finish, because they are tempted to carry it to extremes.
Presentation: After the Ygdrassils are completed, the groups must present them to the class. This should not take too long, but they should know the stories that are represented on the tree. If they don't know about a character or story, they don't receive points for it. I count up the points as they are presentating, so the process of grading is quite simple.
My students will be completing this project again in March or April of 2001. I will put pictures of their projects on at that time. I will also add links to sites on Norse mythology as I find ones that are helpful.
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