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Pauline Smith

Analyzing texts and sparking debates with myths and legends

January 3, 2024

Have you seen the new DocsPlus Myths and Legends section on LearningGrids? As well as being an important part of English and History lessons, myths and legends are valuable for developing students’ understanding of social norms and moral boundaries. The Echo and Narcissus DocsPlus resources can be used to support the analysis of the text and to explore the important life lessons within this Greek myth.

Let’s start with developing students’ knowledge of the key vocabulary used in the Echo and Narcissus myth. The Key Concepts Wordbar and WorkSpace support students to write the definition, synonyms, and antonyms of the key concepts addressed in the myth. This pre-reading activity can increase students’ reading confidence and improve their understanding and analysis skills.

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Students can use the Echo and Narcissus Wordbars and WorkSpaces to recall and storyboard the main events in the myth. Headings are used to help them identify the progression of events through the story.

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The Questions Wordbar encourages students to interpret and analyze the narrative. They are supported to respond to questions about the events, identify the myth’s theme, and consider how the myth might relate to their own lives. The Echo and Narcissus - Life Lessons resources focus on the flaws of the main characters and how students can learn from their mistakes.

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This myth can be used to spark discussions about social customs and values, while encouraging students to reflect on how their decisions impact themselves and others. You can use the DocsPlus resources to encourage learning and debate around the themes of love, vanity, self-love, and obsession - to name a few! For other themes, check out the Beowulf resources on LearningGrids.

Keep an eye out for more stories coming soon in the Myths and Legends category.

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