English Why myths, legends, and stories

Pedagogical Module 3 are so important for humanity?

Curricular Threads: Communication and Cultural Awareness,
Oral Commmunication, Reading, Writing, Language Throgh the Arts

First Course BGU

Vocabulary used
to tell mystery 5
and scary stories
New discoveries about
6 the past and conspiracy
Create and theories
4

Sc
ie
write a legend

nc
e
Intercultural views
7

So
and monomyths.

ci
Past modals for
3

al
speculation
ish

St
ud
gl

ie
s
En

Myths and legends

Adverbs of Manner 2 What a 8 from around the

Mistery La
world
ng
ua
ge

Past Continuous 1
Values

Education for the media Socio emotional skills

10 Critically evaluating 9 Self-regulation
contents Decision Making

Stories that shape culture.

We have all grown up surrounded by myths, to globalization. We know now about some
legends, stories. They are part of our culture famous stories from far away cultures and they
and our lives. We have our own beliefs and know about us.
faith. However, many cultures in the world
may have similar stories, myths, or beliefs, Nowadays, means of communication offer
that is what makes us humans. Our way of infinite amounts of information for anyone.
thinking is shaped by our culture but it may Even if it allows us to get knowledge, it is really
evolve and take some traits from others due important to identify reliable sources and do
further research.

What can we learn about other cultures?

1
 Lesson A
Science

Communication and Cultural Awareness

What do stories say about cultures?

Myths, legends and culture Culture

All cultures have myths, stories, legends, and folklore. They show Abstract values, beliefs,
what groups of people think about the world and how it is perceived. and world view that
Oral arts and traditions are a way to preserve and transmit customs are reflected in people’s
and values as well as to shape behavior. behavior. Culture is
learned.
A really interesting discovery about myths in cultures is that there
https://web.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/
are universal myths across different cultures from all around the hum211/CoursePack/culture.htm
world. These similarities are related to images, structures, events,
and characters that answered the most common questions humans
have, such as the origin of the universe and the meaning of life.
Value: Interculturality
There are various similar myths and legends across cultures, for
example epic cosmic battles, and the Great Flood which is part of the Respecting identities.
Christian and Jewish tradition, as well as Sumerian, Greek, Hindu, We respect other’s
Mayan, and Native American legends. The most similar belief in identities and their cultural
all cultures is the existence of a great supreme being that created background in our country
everything. and abroad.
Freepik/@ studiogstock

Vocabulary

perceive. to notice or
become aware of something.
Man reading about creation customs. an action or way of
behaving that is usual and
traditional among the people
Answer true (T) or false (F). If it is false write the correct statement. in a particular group or place.

1. Culture is not reflected in people’s behavior. shape. to influence the

development of something,
to help something become
what it is.
2. Folklore, myths, stories, and legends are part of a culture.
behavior. the way a person or
animal acts.
3. The way people perceive the world is related to culture.
battle. a fight between
people or groups in which
each side tries to gain control
4. Customs can be transmitted through written stories. of something.

flood. a large amount of

water covering an area of
5. People’s behavior is shaped by their culture.
land that is usually dry.
http://learnersdictionary.com

2
Oral Communication

What are superstitions? Are they similar across cultures?

A group of students are talking about different Vocabulary

superstitions their families and friends have. Listen to the
conversation and complete the activities. clover. a small, green plant
that usually has three leaves
on each stem and that usually
has round flowers that are
white, red, or purple.

Freepik/ @Freepik /@ tassel78/@ dvarg/@ gstudioimagen

faith. strong belief or trust in
someone or something.

hope. to want something to

happen or be true and think
that it could happen or be
true.

luck. the things that happen

to a person because of
chance: the accidental way
things happen without being
planned.
Superstitions http://learnersdictionary.com

• Talk with your teacher and classmates about the most common Interesting Facts
superstitions in your family, friends, and community. Are they the
same? Lucky Charms
• Do you, your teacher, or your classmates have any special lucky They are natural or artificial
charms? What do they represent? Talk about it. objects or symbols that are
supposed to bring you good
luck or protect you against
Answer true (T) or false (F). If it is false write the correct statement. bad situations. Four-leaf
1. If you put your bag or purse on the floor, clovers represent faith,
you will get a lot of money. hope, love, and luck.
https://www.thebalanceeveryday.com/
lucky-charms-to-attract-good-luck-895277
2. Knocking on wood is used to prevent something
from occuring to you.

3. Sitting at the corner of the table will bring you a husband

or wife very soon.

4. Sitting at the corner of the table will bring you a husband

or wife very soon.
Freepik/@Bazzier

5. Seeing white butterflies means you will have a new house.

Maneki neko

3
 Language
Reading

What do stories say about a culture?

Stories from Around the World Interesting Facts

Japanese ghost stories show us the fine line between life Famous all around
and death. Here is one of those famous stories. the world, Japanese
stories about ghosts can
Ghost Story of Okiku sometimes be really scary,
Okiku, by Yoshitoshi Taiso (1839-1892) but their origin is pretty
interesting. They firmly
Long ago, there was a young lady called Okiku who worked for a believe that the dead ones
Samurai and his wealthy family. They owned ten valuable plates. It can come either to help the
is said that once someone broke a plate and told the samurai that living or to bother the ones
she did it when she was washing as usual. She was really surprised that hurt them. The spirits
and profoundly scared. She counted the plates…one…two... of women are particularly
three…four…five…six…seven…eight…nine… She knew he would prominent in these stories.
be punished by death… so she counted the plates again and again. https://aeon.co/essays/japanese-ghost-
stories-dwell-in-the-spirit-of-their-times
Her master was so upset that he killed her and threw her corpse
in a well. Not long after, her ghost was seen wandering the castle
gardens. While people were sleeping, she rose from the well and Vocabulary
counted from one to nine, looking for the missing plate. Many of
those who lived there got sick; so one day, the master of the castle wealthy. having a lot of
asked a priest if he could stop her suffering… He waited for her to money and possessions: rich.
come out from the well, he saw her. She started counting from one own. to have (something) as
to nine, and before she could scream for only having nine plates, property: to legally possess
the priest shouted TEN!!! Okiku’s ghost was relieved that someone (something).
found the missing dish and could finally rest. corpse. a dead body.
http://yokai.com/okiku/
well. a deep hole made in the
Answer the questions in complete sentences based on the story. ground through which water
can be removed.
1. How many valuable plates did the Samurai family have?
rise. rose, risen: to move
upward.
2. Why was Okiku punished by death?
castle. a large building usually
with high, thick walls and
towers that was built in the
past to protect against attack.
3. Where was Okiku’s corpse?
priest. a person who has the
authority to lead or perform
ceremonies in some religions.
4. What were people doing while Okiku’s ghost was wandering?
relieve. to reduce or remove
(something, such as pain or
5. How did the priest stop Okiku’s suffering? an unpleasant feeling).

rest. to lie in a grave after

6. Did you like the story? Why or why not? death.

wander. to move around or

go to different places usually
7. Are there similar stories in your community? If so, what are they? without having a particular
purpose or direction.

4
Writing

How do we write stories?

Narrative – Storytelling Grammar

Write a suspense story that people tell in your family Past Continuous or Past
or community. Progressive
A narrative tells a story. It can be a fiction (not real) or nonfiction Was/were + verb -ing
(real). Narratives have specific components:
This form describes
conditions in the past, an
Characters Plot action that was ongoing
Main participants Events that
in the story occur in the past, an action that
was happening at an exact
moment in the past or
Protagonist Exposition habitual action in the past.
(hero)
People in the castle were
Rising action sleeping when Okiku came
out to look for the plate.
Antagonist People in the castle were
(opposed) Climax not / weren’t sleeping
when Okiku came out to
Two other important look for the plate.
Falling action
components are: Were people in the castle
1. Conflict. Between sleeping when Okiku came
protagonist and antagonist Resolution out to look for the plate?

2. Setting. Time and location of https://study.com/academy/lesson/

the story what-is-narrative-writing-definition-types-
characteristics-examples.html

Use the graphic organizer above to organize your narrative in your

notebook. Once you have all of your ideas, write a draft of your
paragraph in your notebook. Exchange your paragraph with a partner.
Read your partner’s paragraph and comment on each element of the
narrative. Are they all clear? Does the narrative flow? Discuss your
ideas with each other. Then write a final version below:
Wikipedia/@Tsukioka Yoshitoshi Okiku

Okiku

5
Language Through the Arts

How do I use role-play to improve my communication skills by telling a story?

Representing Stories: Role-Play Tip

Role-play is a theatrical representation that takes place when two
Make sure that each
or more people act out roles to explore or represent a particular
group in the class chooses
scenario.
a different story; it can
be funny or scary, but
Value: Socio emotional skills: Working with others. it has to be part of the
oral tradition in your
community.

After you have watched your

classmates perform, answer
the questions:

Freepik/ @ Macrovector
1. Which of the stories
presented in class did you find
most interesting? Write the
name of the story.

Theater and acting.

• You are going to write your own role play. Form groups of 3-4 stu-
dents and follow the steps below. 2. What was the story about?

1. Choose a traditional story or myth from your family or

community. Write the name here:

2. Set the characters: How many are there?

3. Why did you like it? Had
you ever heard that story
before?
3. List the characters:

4. Write the script. Pay attention to what each character says, and
include their actions in parentheses. You should include at least 10
lines per character.
Vocabulary
5. Costumes: Find something useful at home that can help you
represent the characters, try to use your own clothes. Use your
script. the written form of a
imagination!
play, movie, television show,
6. It may take some time to prepare the play, plan in advance and etc.
practice before presenting.
costumes. the clothes that
7. When starting your presentation, write the name of the story on are worn by someone (such
the board or on a piece of cardboard so everyone knows it. as an actor) who is trying to
look like a different person or
• You can prepare a few questions you can ask your classmates at the thing.
end of each presentation. http://learnersdictionary.com

6
 Language

Oral Communication

What has technology brought us?

Tales from around the world Interesting Facts

Many of the stories and fables we have always known We can find a similar story
come from different parts of the world and have been of “The Boys Who Cried
adapted to different cultures. Before listening, talk about Wolf” in different versions
tales and fables you know. adapted according to time
and cultures. All of them
The boys who cried wolf – A story from Pakistan
have a moral at the end.
It is said that myths are
Value: Honesty: Telling the truth no matter what consequences you
may face. An honest person never lies, cheats, or steals. created because all human
beings have a universal
characteristic in our brain
structure. All humans have
a common legacy that goes
beyond race and culture.

Freepik/ @ Jehsomwang
Vocabulary

moral. a lesson that is

learned from a story or an
experience.

fable. a short story that

The Boy who Cried Wolf. usually is about animals and
that is intended to teach a
Listen to a Pakistani story called “The Boys Who Cried Wolf”. lesson.
Answer true (T) or false (F). If it is false write the correct statement
based on what you hear.
a. Write three more sentences
1. The story takes place in the mountains to end the story.

2. Hamza used to go with his father to watch the animals.

3. The boy and the father had cows and goats.

b. What is the moral of the

4. The wolf attacked the village one night while people were resting. story?

5. The boys were having lots of fun when they decided to

play a joke on their neighbors.

7
 Lesson B

Communication and Cultural Awareness

Do you believe in ghosts?

Common supernatural stories

in our country Illustrate both of these
stories according to how
“The Tamarind Widow” – from Posorja, Guayas you understand them. Be
prepared to explain your
People in this community talk about an extremely beautiful woman drawings to the class.
who used to enchant her victims, who were usually drunk men that
1. “The Tamarind Widow”
were walking back home after a long night. The elderly people and
taxi drivers say that men fell in love immediately and followed the
beautiful lady to a tamarind tree. There, she showed her real figure,
which was a skeleton and skull with a woman’s shape and clothes.
Nowadays, the tree is in the same place but with no sign of that
story.
“The Loma Grande Countess” – from Quito, Pichincha
A beautiful, high society young woman from Europe lived in a
beautiful house in the Loma Grande neighborhood. As old people
still say, the lady would go out on Friday nights to have fun in the
bars around downtown. The decade of the 1880’s was all celebrations
and parties because of that beautiful lady. She was called “the
countess” and many young gentlemen were in love with her beauty.
People started to notice that the men that left the bars with her
just disappeared without a trace. Years after she left the city many
corpses were found in the gardens or her former home. Everybody
thought that she had killed the men and buried them.

2. “The Loma Grande

Countess”
Freepik/ @ Vectorpouch

A cemetery
Culture

Supernatural experiences have been told around the world

for centuries. The supernatural can be a powerful source of
meaning, community, and identity in a culture, even though
not everyone agrees on their existence.

• Have you ever experienced any supernatural event? Do you believe

in supernatural events? In groups of three students, talk about any
supernatural event you or anyone you know had.

• Do you know any story from your community? Share it with the class.

8
Oral Communication

Have you ever had supernatural experiences?

Supernatural experiences

Freepik/ @ Vectorpocket
Knock knock
Which words are describing actions? Read the following
story and circle the correct word. Then listen to the story Ghost
and check your answers. Check pronunciation and repeat
difficult words. Underline the correct
statement:
Knock knock! is a scary story about a young boy and his sister who
are left home alone when their parents go out for the night. 1. The kids stayed home with
their parents.
As their mother was leaving, she serious / seriously told her children 2. The mother told the kids
not to open the door under any circumstances. But the boy and his not to open the door under
any circumstance.
sister didn’t pay attention to their mother’s warning. They thought
she was being too careful / carefully. 3. A friend of them knocked
at the door many times.
About an hour after the parents left, the kids heard a knock, knock, 4. The boy went downstairs
and knock on the front door. They decided to ignore it, but again, before the girl.
they heard a knock, knock, knock. It happened again and again 5. The girl and the boy
and it grew louder each time. Eventually, the girl couldn’t stand became ghosts.
it anymore and she anxiously / anxious told her brother she was
going to answer the door. He reminded her their mother’s nervous / Vocabulary
nervously warning, the girl just didn’t listen.
knock. to hit something (such
Again, they heard the knock, knock, knock on the door and finally as a door) with the knuckles
the sister cautious / cautiously went downstairs. Her brother laid of your hand or with a hard
on the sofa watching TV. He heard her going down and doubtful / object (such as a knocker)
doubtfully asking “who is it” and also heard her opening the lock of in order to get people’s
attention.
the door.
lay. to place (someone or
He laid there silently / silent for a while and he heard nothing. He something) down gently in a
started getting scared. His sister still hadn’t returned. He was afraid flat position.
to call her out, so he fast / fastly sneaked out the back door and
warning. something (such as
scape to their neighbors’ house. When he went into their house, his an action or a statement) that
neighbor was watching the local news on TV. They were talking about tells someone about possible
a mysterious / mysteriously murder. Then they showed a reported danger or trouble.
live at the scene of the murder next door. He suddenly remembered cautious. careful about
him and his sister going to open the door… and the last thing he avoiding danger or risk.
saw... was a horrifying red eye and a felt really cold… he tried to
doubtful. uncertain or unsure
speak…but nobody heard… he was just a ghost…
about something.
http://www.scaryforkids.com/knock-knock/

Grammar sneak out. leave furtively and

stealthily.
Describing actions ghost. the soul of a dead
person thought of as living
We can use adverbs of manner to describe actions. They are in an unseen world or as
formed by adding -ly to the adjectives. Some are irregular like appearing to living people.
fast, hard, late that do not change to describe actions. http://learnersdictionary.com/

9
Reading

Do you believe in coincidences?

Freakiest coincidences in History

Underline the correct
Read the passage and complete the following activities. statement:
The Titanic and the Titan 1. The novel Futility was
published 14 years after the
In the late 1899’s and 1900’s ocean liners were a convenient way to Titanic tragedy.
travel and very popular due to its luxury. 2. The Titan was bigger than
the Titanic.
The Wreck of the Titan, or Futility novel was published in 1898,
3. The Titanic had less
14 years before RMS Titanic was even finished being built. It was lifeboats that the Titan.
written by Morgan Robertson. The Titan was described as the largest
4. More people survived in
and greatest ship men could see, a first-class hotel, and of course, the Titanic tragedy than with
unsinkable. The Titan was a British vessel, that measured 800 feet the Titan.
long and had about 2500 passengers. In April, around midnight, 5. Both boats sank exactly the
while moving at 25 knots, it struck and iceberg 400 nautical miles same way.
from Newfoundland, North Atlantic. The ship sank immediately and
had only 24 lifeboats so many lives were lost. It became the world’s
greatest tragedy. Only 13 passengers survived after it capsized. Where do I learn more?
https://www.youtube.com/
The Titanic was a British vessel that measured 882 feet long and watch?v=_RoSIurIGg0
carried 2200 passengers. The Titanic was the biggest ship ever built,
Vocabulary
completely luxury, and unsinkable. It had 20 lifeboats. Early in the
morning of April 15th, 1912 the ship hit a 100-foot-tall-iceberg. It liner. a large ship used for
happened 400 miles from Newfoundland, North Atlantic. Moving carrying passengers.
at 22.5 knots. One ship’s sides started sinking and soon the ship
luxury. a condition or
split in two pieces. After recue, 704 people survived. It became the
situation of great comfort,
world’s greatest tragedy of that time. It was Titanic’s first journey. ease, and wealth.
Source: https://allthatsinteresting.com/the-wreck-of-the-titan
unsinkable. incapable of
https://www.cracked.com/article_18421_6-insane-coincidences-you-wont-believe-actually-happened.html
being sunk.
https://allthatsinteresting.com/titanic-photos#35
ship/ vessel. a large boat
used for traveling long
Alike and different: In the following Venn Diagram establish distances over the sea.
similarities and differences between the Titan and the Titanic.
struck. strike. to hit (someone
or something) in a forceful
Titan Titanic way.

sank. sink. to cause (a ship or

Similar boat) to go down below the
surface of water.

capsized. to turn over: to turn

so that the bottom is on top.

hit. to touch (something or

someone) in a forceful or
violent way after moving at a
high speed.

Different Different split. to break apart or into

pieces especially along a
straight line.

10
Writing

Could you create your own scary story?

Writing a Fictional Ghost Story Grammar

You have read some supernatural stories so far in this Remember to use the
module. Now it is time to create your own! This is a past continuous (was/
creative writing piece, so you can use your imagination. were –ing) when you are
describing background
information, something
Step 1. Brainstorm some ideas about your story. Where will it take that was happening at a
place? Who are the main characters? What is the problem? Write particular time. You can
them here: use the simple past for the
Setting: action that interrupts it.
It was raining and old
Characters:
music was playing on the
radio when suddenly we
heard a noise.

Problem:

Step 2. Begin to organize your ideas. Use the organizer below.

The story begins with:

Main events:

Climax:

Resolution:

Step 3. Write what you have on this page in an organized story

Freepik/ @Freepik

in your notebook. It should be between 80-100 words. Include

descriptive words to help your reader feel your story and some of
the new vocabulary words you have been learning in this module.

Scared person walking in the darkness.

11
Language Through the Arts

Can we create movies by drawing?

Interesting Facts
Telling a Legend
Between 1930 and 1950,
What is a common legend in your community?
considered the “Golden
Think of the stories you have heard in your community that have Age” of animation,
survived generations. Maybe it is a story your grandparents told, theatrical cartoons became
or something all people in your city or town know. You are going to an integral part of popular
write and illustrate that story in English in a comic. culture. These years are
defined b Walt Disney,
Warner Brothers, MGM,
Break the story into 10 parts. Illustrate each part in each one of the and Fleischer (Betty Boop,
frames (boxes) below. Be sure to write a caption – a short text at Popeye).
the bottom of every drawing. You can also include text bubbles for Source: https://history-of-animation.
things that each of the characters say. webflow.io/

1 2 3

4 5 6 7

8 9 10

12
Oral Communication

Could it have been true?

The legend of Giants that once Interesting Facts

roamed the Earth
What is a legend?
Listen to a part of a documentary and complete the
requested activities: A legend is a story that has
myths or unreal situations
as well as historical facts.
Answer true (T) or false (F). If it is false write the correct statement. It can be about a particular
figure or person. They can
1. Stories and legends about giants are not told
all around the world.
be supernatural beings,
elements of mythology,
or explanations of natural
2. Most stories are exaggerated. phenomena related to
particular places or people
and told as part of the
3. Evidence of very tall people has not been found. story.

4. David vs Goliath is a story told in the Bible.

5. It is said that a group of scientists want evidence to be shown.

6. People in the USA became curious because of skeleton findings.

Freepik/ @Izakowski
7. Skeletons of giants were found in North America and China.
David vs. Goliath

8. All giants were gentle and nice.

Underline the correct
statement:

9. There is solid evidence to prove the existence of giants. • Some evidence of giants
has been found in:
a. Europe, Africa, and North
10. Many people were afraid of giants. America.
b. Africa, North America,
and South America.
c. North America, South
America and Europe.
Answer the following questions:
• People became curious
1. What do you think about the Legend of Giants? Could it be true? about the existence of
giants:
a. From the 1800s to the
2. Have you ever heard any similar stories in your community? 1900s.
Do you believe them?
b. Before the 1800s.
c. After the 1900s.

13
Graded activities
Assessment

Achievement level - Listening:

Individual activity

1 Underline the correct answers:

1. What where they doing when they saw the mysterious creatures?
a. They were walking back home.
b. They were on the bus going back home.
c. They were going to the forest.
2. Where did the group of friends find the creature?
a. Next to a lake
b. Next to the trees.
c. At home.
3. What were the groups of friends doing while walking?
a. They were playing with a ball.
b. They were playing with the trees.
c. They were playing with the leaves.
4. What was the creature wearing?
a. It was wearing green clothing.
b. They do not know what it was wearing but it looked like leaves.
c. It was not wearing anything

Achievement level - Vocabulary / Grammar

Individual activity

2 Complete each of the sentences in an original way using

the past continuous to complete the ghost story.
A long time ago, there was a young boy. One day, he ______________out-
side when suddenly he saw a ghost. He screamed and tried to run away. Whi-
le he___________, the ghost ___________________. He ran into his house and
his mother and father ______________________. He asked them if they saw the
ghost and they said no. “I can’t believe it!” said the boy. “I _____________ when
I saw him!” His parents thought their son ____________. They turned to look at
him and he had disappeared.

14
Assessment Why myths, legends, and stories
are so important for humanity?

Achievement level - Vocabulary / Grammar

Individual activity

SPECIAL SCHEDULE
The curse of
“la Llorona”
A MOVIE VERSION WITHOUT HORROR SCENES
FOR KIDS OVER 8 YEARS OLD WILL BE PRESENTED FROM MONDAY
TO FRIDAY AT 10 AM DURING SUMMER.

A MOVIE VERSION WITH SOME

HORROR SCENES FOR TEENAGERS FROM 13 UP TO 17 YEARS OLD
WILL BE SHOWN THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AT 5 PM AND 7 PM.

ADULT MOVIE VERSION WITH NO HORROR SCENES

RESTRICTION WILL BE SHOWN EVERY DAY AT 9 PM.

3 Movies this week

1. What is true about the movie schedule? Circle the correct answer.
a. Everybody can see the movie on weekdays in the morning.
b. Only adolescents can see the movie at nights with no scene restriction.
c. Adults are not allowed to see the movie at any of the times.
2. Where is the legend of La Llorona from? Write a complete sentence.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

I’m completing this self-evaluation based on what I learned in the module.

Self-evaluation I check the box that most applies to me

I do it very well I do it I can improve I can’t do it
Topics
somewhat well without help
Understand vocabulary related to stories.

Write my own story.

Use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast.

15
 Project 1

Let’s Create!!!
1 2
My posters of Myths
and Legends
Why are myths and legends
part of a culture?

Myths and legends are an

important part of the culture
because they show how a group 3
of people see the world around
them.

Freepik/ @IFreepik
With a partner, make your own
posters about local legends
Model
and myths.

Answer the question:

Instructions: What legends did you chose? Why?

1. Choose a partner to work

with.

2. Do some research about

local myths and legends.

3. Choose two legends.

4. Write them in your own

words in English and draw or
paste images related to them.

5. Present your posters to the

class and other classes.

Materials:

• Paper (any paper you find,

it can be recycled)

• Large cardboard (different

Freepik/ @IVectorpouch

colors)

• Scissors and glue

• Markers and colored pencils

or any similar material. Team work

16
Review

Grammar Reading

Complete each of the following sentences in an Remember the readings you did during the
original way using either the past continuous first part of this module. Go back and review
or the simple past according to the context. their titles and what they were about. Then
answer the following questions.
1. The other day, my brother was doing his
homework while my sister… 1. What was your favorite reading? Why was it
your favorite?

2. Yesterday, I did a lot of things. I…

3. Jenny was watching TV when suddenly…

2. Which reading was the most difficult for
you? What made it difficult?

Vocabulary

Recall the meaning of the following words and

use them to write a sentence with each one. In
your sentence you should show that you know
the meaning.
1. Scared

2. Wealthy

3. Script

4. Luck
Freepik/ @IVectorpouch

5. Behavior

17
 Lesson C
Social Studies

Communication and Cultural Awareness

Why did some great ancient civilizations disappear?

The Maya’s Disappearance

The Mayas are recognized for their refined calendar and writing
systems, architecture, and other aspects of their culture. They built
magnificent temples and palaces and their territory extended along
some southern parts of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize.

Freepik/ @IIngram
Around 900 A.D., most of those areas were abandoned. Nowadays,
archeologists keep finding new temples that have been covered by
the jungle for centuries. These findings have led people and scientists
Mayan Ruins in Honduras
to wonder why the Mayans mysteriously disappeared after having
flourished. List some possible causes
for the disappearance of
Many hypotheses have been established to explain what could
Mayas suggested in the
have happened to such a great civilization. Some scientists believe passage.
overpopulation may have caused a lack of resources. Others think
they may have collapsed due to warfare. There are even some
non-science-based ideas saying that the civilization might have
been invaded by aliens or taken somewhere out space. However,
more plausible options have been proposed by scholars whose last
archeological investigations suggest that there was not one only
reason for the collapse of the civilization but many consecutive
events. Most of them agree that deforestation must have caused
rains to reduce which produced severe droughts and loss of crops. It
could have led the Mayans to abandon so many cities.

Vocabulary
Freepik/ @IIngram

flourished. to be very
successful, to do very well.

warfare. military fighting in a

Mayan Ruins in Honduras
war.
Based on the reading, decide if each of the following sentences plausible. possibly true:
are true (T) or false (F). believable or realistic.

1. Scientists know with certainty what caused Mayan scholar. a person who has
studied a subject for a long
cities to be abandoned.
time and knows a lot about it.
2. Overpopulation surely caused a lack of resources. droughts. a long period of
time during which there is
3. There are a couple of theories without any scientific foundation. very little or no rain.

4. It is possible that wars caused the fall of the Mayas. crops. a plant or plant
product that is grown by
5. Scientists are very sure that droughts caused the Mayans farmers.
to abandon their cities. source: http://learnersdictionary.com/

18
Oral Communication

Could it have been true?

Out-of-Place Artifacts Found Grammar

Throughout the World.
Past Modals for
As archeological investigations advance, some findings amaze Speculation
scientists. Traditional history says humans have been present
for about 200,000 years and major technological advances have We use past modals to say
developed in the last century. However, there have been some how certain we are about
stunning discoveries that seem to be millions of years old. These events that happened in
items are called Out-of-Place Artifacts or “Ooparts”. the past.
https://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/ Ex: It must have been
17-out-place-artifacts-said-suggest-high-tech-prehistoric-civilizations-020544
formed by a natural
process.
Value: Education through the Media
Must: very certain about
Critical Evaluation of Contents: Internet offers a lot of something.
information. Much of it may be fake. It is important to make
Might, may, could: it is
sure that web pages have an author who is responsible for the
possible.
information and some references.

Vocabulary

artifacts. a simple object that

Wikimedia commons/ @IRobert Huggett

was made by people in the

past.
Wikimedia commons/ @Ironie

stunning. very surprising or

shocking.

Listen to the following extract

South African Metal Spheres Bagdad Battery of a documentary. Circle the
statements that are true.
1. Some findings make
scientists believe that some
ancient cultures might have
been more advanced than we
think.
Wikimedia commons

2. Scientist are pretty sure

that the Bagdad battery
generated about one volt of
electricity.
3. Archeologists are sure
The Antikythera Mechanism that the South Africa metals
spheres were naturally
formed.
What do you think about the mentioned findings? Write a sentence
about each one. Use past modals for speculation. 4. The spheres could have
been formed 2.8 billion years
1. ago.
2. 5. The Antikythera
Mechanism seems to be an
3. old computer.

19
Reading

How did people learn about strange things some time ago?

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Interesting Facts

Before the internet, people from around the world learned about Ripley’s Aquarium, Canada.
different and strange items, people, and events thanks to a man
called Robert Ripley. He was born in California. He became a sports Located in Toronto, the
reporter but soon his natural curiosity and his talent for illustration aquarium contains 5.7
led him to create cartoons to represent the most interesting and million litres of water. One
unbelievable achievements. It was the beginning of his empire. He of the most exciting exhibit
started to travel around the world to find new and interesting things, is the underwater viewing
then by 1929 he published his first book titled Believe It or Not! tunnel from which you can
see animals like Sand Tiger
After telling wonderful stories through radio broadcast, he started Sharks, Green Sawfish
his own show on TV. and Green Moray Eel. You
can see them swimming
Although he sadly died in 1949, a year later the first permanent
around.
museum called Odditorium (odd) was founded. It presents a 100
year collection with more than 25,000 pieces gathered mainly by
Ripley on his visits to places around the world. New pieces are still
added to the collection. Many of them may not be surprising for
us now, but in the past, they were considered amazing. His strange

Wikipedia/press release/FromRipleyOffice
stories remain strong today.
Some famous actors brought Believe It or Not! to TV in 1980 and
then in 2000. It came back again in 2019.
https://www.ripleys.com/

After reading about Ripley, answer the following questions in

complete sentences.
1. Why did Robert Ripley start to collect strange items from around Robert Ripley
the world?

2. Who presented the Believe It or Not! TV program? When was it

Wikipedia/@Yo Shi

presented?

3. What do you think the name Odditorium means? Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Hollywood

a. A museum that displays normal items.

Vocabulary
b. A museum that shows strange pieces.
c. An auditorium that shows strange people. achievement. something that
has been done or achieved
through effort. a result of
4. Circle the word that DOES NOT have a similar meaning hard work.
as gather.
odd. strange or unusual:
a. collect b. spread different from what is normal
or expected.
c. assemble d. accumulate http://learnersdictionary.com

20
Writing

What are some unsolved mysteries?

The Voynich Manuscript Grammar

Read the following information about the Voynich

Past modals for speculation
manuscript and fill in the blanks with the correct verb and
are very useful when
past modal. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
we want to talk about
Pay attention to additional information given in order to
hypothetical situations
help you.
in the past. When we talk
write be collected make create belong about some mysteries from
the past, we can use them
This famous manuscript is named after Wilfrid Voynich, a bookseller to express level of certainty
who bought the book in 1912. Since it was discovered, it has been about facts.
in the library at Yale University. Although many believe Voynich
Scholars say some
______________ the book to become famous, many scholars
botanists may have created
have tried to decipher the text, which was written in an unknown
the manuscript. (active
language and also has many strange plants and objects.
voice)
The manuscript might
Based on its illustrations, the book was divided into six sections have been created by some
according to what scholars think its topics _____________. botanists. (passive voice)
Nobody knows where exactly it was created but research suggests
The modals we can use, in
it _______________. According to radiocarbon dating, the authors
order of least certain to
of the manuscript ___________________it in the 15th or 16th
most certain, are: might/
century. Most theories claim that the book _________________
may, could, must
medicine plants and their effect on people. Others say the language
_______________ to a culture that had only spoken language and Then we use “have”, then
someone tried to write down their knowledge. Theories about the the past participle of the
manuscript are always appearing and the mystery continues. main verb.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Voynich-manuscript

What are your speculations about this mysterious manuscript?

Use past modals and write three complete sentences.
1.
Wikipedia/Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript LibraryYale University

2.

3.

Vocabulary

decipher. to find the meaning of (something that is difficult to read

or understand).

radiocarbon dating. a scientific way of finding the age of something

that is very old by measuring the amount of certain forms of carbon in it.
http://learnersdictionary.com
A page from the Voynich manuscript

21
Language Through the Arts

Have you seen a mysterious creation?

The Mystery of Crop Circles

Materials:
Sand Model • A piece of cardboard or
wood of about 50cmx50cms
Crop circles are weird patterns that mysteriously appear overnight in
large fields mostly found in the United Kingdom. They have caused • 2 to 3 pounds of sand or soil
intrigue that has inspired blogs, books, investigations, and some
• Liquid glue
films. Crop circles may have first appeared in Australia around 1966.
https://www.livescience.com/26540-crop-circles.html
• A stick or a pencil with
eraser
Group work: Collaborative Learning • Circle patterns to create the
model

Make a model of crop circles • Yellow or brown paint

Step 1. Research about crop circles. Remember to use reliable web

pages to investigate about the topic and cite them.
Instructions:
Step 2. Get the materials to make the model.
1. Paint the cardboard or
Step 3. Present it to the class and talk about some theories and wood and let it dry.
explanations using past modals for speculation.
2. Create a circle design with
the circle pattern or copy one
that you found.

3. Once the carboard or wood

dries, cover it with liquid glue.

4. Put the sand or soil all over

it and start drawing the circles
with a stick or an eraser.
Mineduc

Mineduc

Crop Circles Crop Circle in Diessenhofen

22
Oral Communication

What might have been their message?

The Nazca Lines

The Nazca lines have been a mystery for over 80 years. Scientists Class discussion: Talk in
groups about the mystery
keep asking who might have created them. There are many theories of the Nazca lines.
about it.
• How do you think they have
might been made?

• Who could have made

them?

Frepik/@ lovelypeace

• What might have been their

purpose?

Nazca lines

Lucy went to Peru last summer. Listen to a part of her blog and
underline o highlight the ideas that are mentioned.
1. The Nazca lines are located in the north of Lima.
2. Most Nazca lines represent animals, plants, or humanoids.
• Write two or three
3. Nazca lines are 2,000 years old. conclusions.
4. All lines and figures were discovered at the same time
a long time ago.
5. Scientists are sure about who made the lines.
6. Some people think that the figures had an astronomy-related
purpose.
7. It is sure that aliens participated making the lines.
8. It is possible that the lines are part of a ritual for the gods
to ask for rain.
9. Researchers are sure that the lines were made by the Nazca
culture.
10. The lines have been conserved because they are located
in the dessert.

23
Communication and Cultural Awareness

How can mysteries and beliefs change culture?

Interesting Facts
UFO Culture
“Flying saucers” were a cultural phenomenon in the 1940’s and About 80 years ago, a
50’s. All those fears of strange beings coming to our planet whether radio broadcast terrified
to invade us or to help us were the perfect material for movie thousands of people. A
production in Hollywood. It is said that the idea of other intelligent famous actor performed
and superior species represents the hopes and fears of humanity. H.G. Wells classic science-
fiction book, The War of
Media keeps the idea of UFOs in the headlines, even if the reports of the Worlds. It made people
people who claim to see flying objects have significantly reduced in run away from their houses
past years. Believing in aliens visiting our planet has become part of with towels on their faces
many cultures, however scientists do not support that assumption. to protect themselves from
They say it is interesting to explore the idea of extraterrestrial life, the “gas” that aliens used to
but we must evaluate those ideas and proof. Some scholars compare attack.
UFOs and aliens to a religious belief that shows how humans deal https://www.livescience.com/63958-war-
of-the-worlds-aliens.html
with unexplainable experiences.
https://medium.com/s/reasonable-doubt/americas-enduring-obsession-with-ufos-b582ca8f86cb
https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/6/4/18632778/ufo-aliens-american-cosmic-diana-pasulka

We have asked some people about UFOs.

Let’s see what they say.

Have you ever seen any strange object in the sky?

What would you do if you saw one?
Freepik/ @Freepik

Well, it is difficult to say but I think that if I saw a

UFO, I would try to take a picture immediately so
my friends would believe me!

Wikipedia/Commons.wikimedia @ George Stock

Luisa, Argentina
Freepik/ @Freepik

As a truck driver I have seen

many things in my life, but If
I saw a strange flying object
in the sky, I wouldn’t say
anything because nobody There have been many reports
would believe me. in my country about UFOs.
But if I saw some lights in the
Rabda, India
Freepik/ @Freepik

sky, I wouldn’t believe it at first Image of supposed UFO, New Jersey.1952

sight.

Jimmy, USA Vocabulary

UFO. a flying object in the

What would you do if you saw a strange flying object in the sky? sky that some people believe
Complete: could be a spaceship from
another planet.
If I saw a UFO, I
headlines. the major
news stories reported in
newspapers, magazines, or
television news programs.

24
Oral Communication

Is time travel possible?

Time Travel Grammar

The Nazca lines have been a mystery for over 80 years. Scientists Second Conditional
keep asking who might have created them. There are many theories
about it. It is used to talk about
hypothetical situations in
Listen to an interview about time machines in fiction and what
the present or future. The
scientists say about them. Then answer the questions below. situations can be possible
in some time, very unlikely,
1. Does Dr. Chang think time travel is possible in the future?
or impossible.
If I could travel in time, I
would go to the time of the
2. Why may time travel be dangerous for humans? dinosaurs.
If clause: If + S + verb past
tense
3. Why does Jack think time travel would be incredible?
Main Clause: S + would /
could / may / might + Verb
base form

• Write down the most

interesting answers. Use
second conditional and
complete sentences.
Freepik/ @vectorpouch

Speaking activity:

• In groups of three students ask each other about time travel.

Freepik/ @vonyxprj

• If you could travel in time, what would you do? Where would
you go? Who would you meet?

25
Reading

How do we know what is true?

Fake News
In a world where anyone can say anything at any time and for free,
some people believe that anything said on the web is true. Fake news
are stories created to deliberately misinform people. The more a

Freepik/ @Maxstock
piece of information is repeated and “liked”, the more people think
it is true. It is common to find news on social networks that cause
fear in many people and turn out to be false. Also, free access to
almost an infinite amount of information without any filter has
caused many people to believe any article on the internet.
How dangerous can it be? It seems to be very harmful for a society Tip
because those kinds of news could cause fury. Societies were used to
getting news from reliable sources such as newspapers or TV news; Before sharing
now the internet holds lots of information without any regulation. information on social
In order to recognize fake news, it is extremely important to develop media, check the date,
critical thinking in children and teenagers, even in adults. Believing place, and investigate the
and spreading fake news might cause great damage. source. You can look for
more information if you
https://www.webwise.ie/teachers/what-is-fake-news/
are not sure about the
news.

Vocabulary

led (lead). to guide the

actions of a person or group:
to be in charge of a person,
group, activity, etc.
Freepik/ @Brazhyk

fake. meant to look real

or genuine but not real or
genuine.

deliberately. in a way that is

The power behind media meant, intended, or planned.

turn out. to develop in a

Think about the idea of fake news and answer the following particular way, or to have a
questions. Then discuss your answers as a class. particular result.
1. What would happen if fake information affected really important
decisions in a country? harmful. causing or capable
of causing damage or harm.

fury. violent anger.

reliable. able to be believed:

2. What would you do if you noticed fake news in your school? likely to be true or correct.

damage. problems that are

caused by a mistake, wrong
action, etc.; bad or harmful
3. What can you do in order to teach people in your community to
identify fake news? effects on a situation, a
person’s reputation, etc.
http://learnersdictionary.com/

26
Writing

Do you like helping your friends in hard times?

Your Friend Needs Help! Grammar

One of your friends writes you an email to explain a

problem he has and wants to know what you think. Read We use were in the second
the email below and answer in 80-100 words giving your conditional with the verb
advice using the second conditional at least three times in TO BE, no matter what the
your recommendations. subject is.

Hi, If I were my friend, I

would accept that boy’s
I’m writing you an email instead of calling you because I have a invitation.
serious dilemma and I don’t want anyone to hear me. I failed my
last Math test. It was an important test and everyone’s parents have If she were nicer, we would
to sign it. Part of me wants to change the grade by hand from 3 to talk to her.
8, but I am scared my parents will notice. Or I can tell my teacher I
forgot to ask my parents to sign it. Or should I just tell the truth? I Vocabulary
really don’t know what to do. What would you do in my situation?
dilemma. a situation in which
Thanks in advance, you have to make a difficult
choice.
Adrian.

Freepik/ @Microone

27
Language Through the Arts

How do you make a difficult decision?

Real Tough Situations

Tip
Role-Play
You can choose:
Objective: To represent a real situation in which a person
or a group does something wrong or dangerous. What A party where alcohol is
would you do? served to underage people.
Some of your friends
are offering dangerous
Value: Socio emotional skills: Self-regulation and decision making. substances.
Talking to unknown
people on the street.
Accepting gifts from
someone without knowing
their real intentions.

Freepik/ @Vectorpouch
You can also propose your
own case according to
your reality.
Teenagers in a party

Steps
Notes
1. Choose a situation with a group of classmates.

2. Create a role-play to represent the situation and the danger of

acting a certain way. Each participant should have at least 7 lines.
Write the script in your notebook.

3. Perform your role-play in front of the class.

4. As a class, talk about possible risks of making the wrong decision.

5. Ask your classmates what they would do in that situation.

6. In your notebooks, write your own sentence for each role play
about what you would do.

Example: If I were asked to take something from a store without

paying, I would tell the person that it is wrong.

28
Oral Communication

Can misinformation cause damage?

Panic in Quito Interesting Facts

As well as in New York, a radio in Quito broadcasted a The book The War of the
program that cause panic in the population with some sad Worlds has inspired the
consequences. creation of many movies.
The first one was released
in 1953 and another
more modern version was
presented in 2005.

Discuss these questions in

small groups.

How would you feel in a

situation like this? Would
you panic? Why or why not?

Freepik/ @Freepik

Radio broadcast

Listen to the story about what caused panic in Quito. Underline or

highlight the statements that were mentioned.

1. The event happened in 1959.

2. People in Quito did not like TVs and only listened to the radio.

3. Producers on the radio wanted to scare people.

4. The use of sound effects made the story very real.

5. People were in a state of panic because they thought aliens

were coming.

6. News about other cities’ destruction increased the level of

panic.

7. People were not happy with the news.

8. Nobody tried to avoid the fire in the building.

9. There were deceased and injured due to the fire.

10. After the event, the government set new regulations for media.

29
Graded activities
Assessment

Achievement level - Reading

Individual activity

1 Conspiracy Theories
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a conspiracy
theory explains an event or set of circumstances as the result
of a secret plot by usually powerful people that can have hi-
dden agendas or are evil. Conspiracy theories have always
existed, many books were published and movies were filmed
inspired by some of these theories. Many of them were even
taken as historical documents that changed the way people
saw past events and their causes. Recently, many YouTubers
have appeared with theories that explain some phenomenon
without any scientific support. The problem is that kids and
teenagers believe them and take those claims as truths. Some
arguments that support false theories have some little facts
that attract teenagers. Other support for conspiracy theories
is that a couple of them turned out to be true some time ago.
It is important to teach children and adolescents to check and
investigate any information they find on the internet and draw
conclusions by themselves.

Choose T for true and F for false. If the statement is false,

correct it.
1. Conspiracy theories explain reality.
_________________________________________________
2. Conspiracy theories did not exist twenty years ago.
_________________________________________________
3. People believed some books represented real history.
_________________________________________________
4. Conspiracy theories have scientific support.
_________________________________________________
5. A good way to stop children and adolescents from believing
everything they see is to teach them to investigate.
_________________________________________________

30
Assessment Why myths, legends, and stories
are so important for humanity?

Achievement level - Writing

Individual activity

2 Self-esteem and stereotypes

1. Karen thinks she is very smart.
2. Karen is not happy with her looks.
3. Karen is very popular at school.
4. She thinks she is not thin enough.
5. She decided to go to the school dance.
Complete:
If Karen were funnier,______________________________________________.
If Karen were smarter,_____________________________________________.

If you could choose any place in the world to travel, where would you go? Why?
Write a short paragraph of 60-70 words.

_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

I’m completing this self-evaluation based on what I learned in the module.

Self-evaluation I check the box that most applies to me

I do it very well I do it I can improve I can’t do it
Topics
somewhat well without help
Use past progressive or continuous

Using past modals for speculation

Use second conditional for hypothetical situations.

31
 Project 2

Tip
Fake News Awareness in My Community
To give advice, you
Objective: Share useful information about fake news and
can either use a modal
its effects in your school, community, or family.
verb like should (as a
recommendation) or the
imperative form of the
verb.
You should pay attention to
what is happening around
you.
Get your news from reliable
sources.

Instructions:

Get in groups of 3-4 students

Freepik/ @Primulakat

and start working on your

project.

1. Create a short survey to

find out where some people
Fake news can be spread really fast of your community get their
news.
You might want to do some research about cases of fake news in the
country and its effects. 2. Explain what fake news is.

• Find some useful information to share with the audience. 3. Talk about the possible
negative effects in the family,
• Tell them how to recognize false from true and recommend some community, etc.
reliable sources.
4. Teach them how to avoid
• Decide what visual aid you will use to present your information spreading false information.
(PowerPoint, flyers, posters, etc.)

• Prepare the material, organize the work with your classmates, work
on the visual.

• How did it go? Write some conclusions about the project. Did peo-
ple know about the difference between fake and real?
Freepik/ @nainizul

32