1. EARLY AMERICAN LITERATURE Creation Myths

2. HOW WAS THE WORLD CREATED?  Consider and write what you might know regarding different accounts of creation. (Choose and elaborate on at least 3 of the four categories listed.)  Biblical Narrative  Scientific Theories  Stories from other Cultures (ex. Greek Mythology?  Movies/Film  Sketch/Illustrate each account of creation account

3. WHAT IS A MYTH? WHAT IS A CREATION MYTH?

4. NATIVE AMERICANS  Culturally diverse  300 + different Native American cultures in North America  200 + languages spoken among tribes  No written language  Had an oral tradition  History, legends, myths were entrusted to memory  Passed from generation to generation; demonstrate reverence for nature and the worship of many gods  Creation stories explain how the universe and humans came into being  Much of their history did not survive after so many Native Americans fell to European diseases.  Some groups lost as many as 90 percent of their people

5. IROQUOIS CREATION MYTH  “The World on the Turtle’s Back” p. 38

6. WHAT DOES THIS STORY REVEAL ABOUT:  Roles of women in their society  Role of nature in their culture  Origin of certain customs / rituals  Roles / beliefs of a higher power  Compare/Contrast “The World on the Turtle’s Back” to the account of Adam and Eve in Genesis  How are they similar?  How are they different?