Activity Overview
Parodies, satires, and modern day adaptation are rich with literary elements. They are valuable assets for teaching students about literature. Through creative writing, students learn to use literary elements in context, committing them to memory.
During a unit on Norse mythology, you can have students create their own Norse god or goddess. They can turn themselves, someone they know, or even a celebrity into a god or goddess. Students will create storyboards depicting their new god or goddess. Some things that must be included are the domain, power, symbol, and weakness.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create your own Norse god or goddess, including a story about them.
Student Instructions
- Click “Start Assignment”
- Choose a character to represent your new god/goddess.
- Depict the character with attributes. Include a name, domain, symbols, powers, and weaknesses.
- Create a story that relates to your character in some way. It could be a backstory, birth/origin story, or a tale about their adventures or quests.
- Click “Save and Exit” to hand in your assignment.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Advanced | Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elements of a Greek God | Student included an appropriate domain, power, symbol, and weakness (or negative trait) for the new god. | Student included three of the following: an appropriate domain, power, symbol, and weakness (or negative trait) for the new god. | Student included two of the following: an appropriate domain, power, symbol, and weakness (or negative trait) for the new god. | Student included only one appropriate domain, power, symbol, or weakness (or negative trait) for the new god. |
| Creativity | The student demonstrated high levels of creativity. The student clearly made references back to the text using humor, wit, or other artistic means. | The student used some creativity throughout their storyboard. The student included subtle originality that showed understanding of Greek mythology. | The student did not use creativity and mainly took traits and events from other Greek gods. | The student used little to no creativity. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
Activity Overview
Parodies, satires, and modern day adaptation are rich with literary elements. They are valuable assets for teaching students about literature. Through creative writing, students learn to use literary elements in context, committing them to memory.
During a unit on Norse mythology, you can have students create their own Norse god or goddess. They can turn themselves, someone they know, or even a celebrity into a god or goddess. Students will create storyboards depicting their new god or goddess. Some things that must be included are the domain, power, symbol, and weakness.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create your own Norse god or goddess, including a story about them.
Student Instructions
- Click “Start Assignment”
- Choose a character to represent your new god/goddess.
- Depict the character with attributes. Include a name, domain, symbols, powers, and weaknesses.
- Create a story that relates to your character in some way. It could be a backstory, birth/origin story, or a tale about their adventures or quests.
- Click “Save and Exit” to hand in your assignment.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Advanced | Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elements of a Greek God | Student included an appropriate domain, power, symbol, and weakness (or negative trait) for the new god. | Student included three of the following: an appropriate domain, power, symbol, and weakness (or negative trait) for the new god. | Student included two of the following: an appropriate domain, power, symbol, and weakness (or negative trait) for the new god. | Student included only one appropriate domain, power, symbol, or weakness (or negative trait) for the new god. |
| Creativity | The student demonstrated high levels of creativity. The student clearly made references back to the text using humor, wit, or other artistic means. | The student used some creativity throughout their storyboard. The student included subtle originality that showed understanding of Greek mythology. | The student did not use creativity and mainly took traits and events from other Greek gods. | The student used little to no creativity. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
How Tos about Make a Modern Norse God
How to Facilitate Engaging Peer Feedback on Student Norse God Creations
Encourage positive, constructive peer review to help students refine their modern Norse god projects. Thoughtful feedback promotes deeper understanding and improves creative work.
Set clear peer review guidelines
Outline specific criteria for feedback, such as creativity, use of Norse mythology elements, and storytelling clarity. This gives students a focused structure for reviewing each other's work.
Model effective feedback
Demonstrate how to give both positive comments and gentle suggestions. Show examples using student work (with permission) or teacher-created samples so students know what helpful feedback looks like.
Organize structured peer review sessions
Pair or group students and provide time for them to exchange storyboards. Use guiding questions to steer the conversation, such as "What part of this god's story was most creative?"
Facilitate reflection and revision
Invite students to reflect on the feedback they received and make revisions to their Norse god projects. This step helps them see the value of peer collaboration and improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions about Make a Modern Norse God
How do you create a modern Norse god or goddess for a classroom assignment?
To create a modern Norse god or goddess, choose a character (yourself, someone you know, or a celebrity), assign them a domain (what they rule), powers, symbols, and weaknesses. Write a story about their origin or adventures, and illustrate them using a storyboard.
What elements should be included in a Norse god creative writing project?
Include the name, domain, symbols, powers, and weaknesses of your god or goddess. Also, create a story that highlights their background or a key adventure.
Why use modern adaptations of mythology in the classroom?
Modern adaptations help students connect with ancient myths, encourage creativity, and make it easier to understand literary elements like character, symbolism, and theme through engaging, relatable projects.
What is a storyboard in the context of a Norse mythology lesson?
A storyboard is a visual tool where students illustrate scenes from their god or goddess’s story, showing key traits, symbols, and moments. It helps organize ideas and brings the character to life.
What are some tips for helping students brainstorm powers and weaknesses for their Norse gods?
Encourage students to think about unique traits or modern problems and link them to mythical powers or weaknesses. For example, a god of social media might have the power to connect people instantly but be weakened by misinformation.
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Norse Mythology
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