New
New
Year 4

Exploring the genre of 'A Journey through Greek Myths'

I can explain what a traditional myth is.

New
New
Year 4

Exploring the genre of 'A Journey through Greek Myths'

I can explain what a traditional myth is.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A Greek myth is a traditional story that originates from ancient Greece
  2. Myths feature gods, godesses and various mythical creatures
  3. A traditional myth explains a culture's beliefs and customs
  4. Myths share several common features and themes

Keywords

  • Traditional myth - A traditional myth explains a culture's beliefs and customs; they usually involve gods and supernatural creatures.

  • Supernatural - Supernatural beings include gods, giants, magic and other mystical, ancient elements.

  • Folklore - Folklore is a genre in which oral stories are shared and passed down over time.

  • Features - The features of a text type refer to distinctive characteristics that belong to it.

  • Greek mythology - Greek mythology is a set of ancient tales of Greek gods, beliefs and the worlds they inhabit.

Common misconception

Pupils might think all non-fiction texts are entirely factual.

'A Journey Through Greek Myths' is a non-fiction text that includes fictional retellings of ancient Greek myths.


To help you plan your year 4 English lesson on: Exploring the genre of 'A Journey through Greek Myths', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Reading page 13 adds additional context to the two narrators. This could be read to the whole class before the lesson commences.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the text 'A Journey through Greek Myths' by Marchella Ward and Sander Berg, published by Flying Eye Books 2020.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What are some common features of a non-fiction text?
Correct answer: factual information
Correct answer: contents page
poetry
Correct answer: index
Q2.
Which of the following are examples of genre?
Correct answer: mystery
magazines
Correct answer: historical fiction
blogs
Correct answer: realistic fiction
Q3.
True or False? 'Little Red Riding Hood' is a non-fiction text.
Correct Answer: False, false, f, F
Q4.
Which is the most appropriate definition of a myth?
a collection of poems on a particular theme or subject matter
fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances
Correct answer: a text that explains a culture's beliefs and customs
words that make up a song, usually consisting of verses and choruses
Q5.
Select texts in the non-fiction genre.
Hansel and Gretel
Marcy and the Riddle of the Sphinx
Correct answer: First News Newspaper
Correct answer: What's the Point of Maths?
Q6.
Match each word to its meaning.
Correct Answer:author,the person who writes the book

the person who writes the book

Correct Answer:illustrator,the person who creates the pictures

the person who creates the pictures

Correct Answer:title,the name of the book

the name of the book

Correct Answer:genre,the type of book or text e.g. fiction, non-fiction

the type of book or text e.g. fiction, non-fiction

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Who is the author of 'A Journey Through Greek Myths'?
Flying Eye Books
Correct answer: Marchella Ward
Sander Berg
Q2.
Who is the illustrator of 'A Journey Through Greek Myths'?
Correct answer: Sander Berg
Marchella Ward
Joe Todd-Stanton
Q3.
Match the keywords to their definition.
Correct Answer:traditional myth,explains a culture's beliefs and customs

explains a culture's beliefs and customs

Correct Answer:supernatural,include gods, giants, magic and other mystical elements

include gods, giants, magic and other mystical elements

Correct Answer:folklore,genre where oral stories are shared & passed down over time

genre where oral stories are shared & passed down over time

Correct Answer:Greek mythology,a set of ancient tales of Greek gods, beliefs and the world

a set of ancient tales of Greek gods, beliefs and the world

Correct Answer:features,refer to distinctive characteristics that belong to a text

refer to distinctive characteristics that belong to a text

Q4.
Which of the following are features of a traditional myth?
scientific explanations
modern setting
Correct answer: important moral or lesson taught
Correct answer: epic battles or adventures
Correct answer: often feature gods and goddesses with extraordinary powers
Q5.
Match the qualities of Night Owl and Little Owl.
Correct Answer:Night Owl,wise, thoughtful

wise, thoughtful

Correct Answer:Little Owl,curious, surprised, puzzled

curious, surprised, puzzled

Q6.
In the text, Athena is described as the goddess of...
Correct answer: war and wisdom
sea and earthquakes
marriage and childbirth
thunder, lightning and justice