Creative English Teacher — Mythology

The Power of Hero Stories

October 10, 2019 • Mythology • The Hero's Journey

Two of the greatest storytellers of all-time, J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, said that stories have a special power—a healing power.

Jeopardy Superchamp Uses Our Materials, Too!

May 02, 2019 • Mythology • Readers Theater Script-Stories

James Holzhauer, the reigning champion of Jeopardy!, cited some of my textbooks as one place where he gathered some knowledge for his record-setting streak on the popular gameshow.

Book Review: The Writer's Journey by Chris Vogler

March 15, 2019 • Book Review • Mythology • Teaching Ideas

Although I am a teacher of typical English courses as well, it was a mythology course that gave me the biggest challenge of my life. (You can read more about that adventure here.) Teaching mythology challenged me to develop my teaching style—prompting the creation of almost all the materials you will find on this website. So, needless to say, mythology is special to me. Beasts, quests, and monsters are all part of mythology, but at its heart is the hero. Not surprisingly, one of my favorite things to teach is heroes and the concept of the Hero’s Journey. If you...

Ten Reasons Why Disney Movies Are Modern Mythology

December 27, 2018 • Mythology • World Literature

From Pinocchio, Cinderella, and Dumbo to Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Mulan, Disney animated movies are an almost-universal language, a collection of common stories we practically all recognize. They may be popular entertainment, but they also serve some of the same functions that myths did for ancient peoples.

Five Reasons To Teach Egyptian Mythology and Culture

October 20, 2018 • Five Reasons To Teach Series • Mythology • World Literature

Five Reasons for Teaching Egyptian Mythology and Culture Although I have taught various kinds of mythology—the typical Greek, Roman, and Norse varieties—it was not until I was encouraged by a fellow educator (thanks, Chris), that I decided to give Egyptian mythology another look. What I found is that ancient Egyptian culture is fascinating! (Why hadn’t I realized this before? No jokes about being in “de Nile” please.) Furthermore, I realized that the ancient Egyptian stories not only entertain, but also address some of the problems we still face today. Since my sophomore world literature course revolves around the theme of...