Mythology assignment inspires young authors

MILFORD — Cyclopes, and sirens, and minotaurs, oh yeah!

Maryanne Bara, Language Arts teacher at Dingman-Delaware Middle School, teaches creative writing with an assignment that aligns to both Common Core and Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) standards. It also has great pop culture appeal.

Students were required to describe a natural phenomenon through myth. It had to include an effective plot structure, symbolism, and figurative language.

The project especially piqued the interest of many avid readers of the immensely popular Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, which takes mythology from past to present.

“It was really fun, and I was inspired by Riordan to make my friend into a goddess,” said Ariana DiGeso.

“It was a good assignment because it got our creative thinking going,” agreed Mary Lee, who took an historical viewpoint, writing about a Portuguese explorer.

After drafting and revising their pieces, students presented their work through dramatic readings. Dressed in a white-bedsheet-toga, braided gold belt, and crown, these young authors donned a wireless mic and took center stage in the director’s chair to present their masterpieces.