Turnip Ink 
Turnip Ink curriculum
Mythos Makers
Middle school mythology: why humans make myths, told around the world.
Weekly Co-op
Six mythologies, one question: why do people tell myths?
Each week your group hears a myth told the old way, around a story circle or behind a shadow-puppet screen, then makes something with their hands and shares it. Students predict, test and argue about what each story explains. Every lesson is open-and-go, screen-free, and ends with a take-home to share with family.
Who it's for
Co-op teachers and parents leading a small group of middle schoolers once a week.
Schedule
Once a week, 50 minutes: Story Circle (12), Skill Session (30), then Share and Cleanup (8).
Materials
Paper, card stock and craft supplies listed in each lesson's Materials and Prep sheet; the shadow-puppet lessons need a sheet and a lamp.
What's included
- 38 lessons across 6 mythology units
- 38 open-and-go Lesson Plans and Scripts, each with a Materials and Prep sheet
- 38 student Myth Journals and Mission Logs, plus a marked-up teacher copy of each
- 5 escape-room lessons that close out a unit
- 38 take-home pages to share the story with family
- 25 printable card sets, puppet patterns, templates and props
See inside
Units
1Celtic and Irish Mythology
The Tuatha Dé Danann, the Giant's Causeway, Balor, kelpies and selkies, Oisín and Cú Chulainn, ending in an escape room.
2Ancient Egyptian Mythology
Ra, Narmer and the Two Lands, the Feather of Maat, Set and Horus, and the Lament of Isis, ending in an escape room.
3Ancient Chinese Mythology
Pangu, Nü Wa, the Jade Emperor, the Dragon Kings and Chang'e, told as shadow-puppet plays, ending in an escape room.
4Japanese Mythology
The Heavenly Jeweled Spear, Amaterasu's cave and folk tales told as kamishibai paper theatre.
5Maya Mythology
The People of Corn, the Hero Twins in Xibalba, the Dwarf of Uxmal and the Aluxob, ending in an escape room.
6Greek Mythology
Chaos and the Titans, Prometheus, Persephone, Odysseus and Arachne, ending in the Oracle's Riddle escape room.
Choose your set
Mythos Makers: Unit 1, Celtic and Irish Mythology
One mythology unit: lesson plans and scripts, prep sheets, student journals, cards and take-homes.
Unit 1 · Classroom licence
Coming soon
Mythos Makers: Unit 2, Ancient Egyptian Mythology
One mythology unit: lesson plans and scripts, prep sheets, student journals, cards and take-homes.
Unit 2 · Classroom licence
Coming soon
Mythos Makers: Unit 3, Ancient Chinese Mythology
One mythology unit: lesson plans and scripts, prep sheets, student journals, cards and take-homes.
Unit 3 · Classroom licence
Coming soon
Mythos Makers: Unit 4, Japanese Mythology
One mythology unit: lesson plans and scripts, prep sheets, student journals, cards and take-homes.
Unit 4 · Classroom licence
Coming soon
Mythos Makers: Unit 5, Maya Mythology
One mythology unit: lesson plans and scripts, prep sheets, student journals, cards and take-homes.
Unit 5 · Classroom licence
Coming soon
Mythos Makers: Unit 6, Greek Mythology
One mythology unit: lesson plans and scripts, prep sheets, student journals, cards and take-homes.
Unit 6 · Classroom licence
Coming soon
Mythos Makers: all six units
Every Mythos Makers v2 lesson (Lessons 3-40) across six mythology units.
Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6 · Classroom licence
Coming soon
Full contents, lesson by lesson
Unit 1: Celtic and Irish Mythology
3. The Coming of the Tuatha Dé Danann Principle: Etiology 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Treasure Cards PDF PRINT 1 SET PER TRIO, CUT APART
- Family Take-Home - Ogham at Home PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
4. The Giant's Causeway Principle: Etiology 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - The Hexagon Hunt PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
5. Balor and the Fomorians Principle: Historical Exaggeration 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Balor's Eye Target PDF PRINT 3, ONE PER STATION
- Family Take-Home - The Story That Grows PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
6. The Kelpie of the Black Loch Principle: Social Engineering 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - A Warning Story at Home PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
7. The Selkie's Skin Principle: Geography 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - Keeping Warm PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
8. Oisín in Tír na nÓg Principle: Human Emotion 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - Then and Now at Home PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
9. Cú Chulainn, the Hound of Culann Principle: Social Engineering 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - A Name Earned PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
10. ESCAPE ROOM: The Seanchaí's Challenge Principle: All Five Principles 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Mission Log - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Mission Log with the Code PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Station Cards, Tiles and Hint Tokens PDF PRINT 1, CUT APART
- Family Take-Home - Be the Seanchaí PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
Unit 2: Ancient Egyptian Mythology
11. The Tears of Ra Principle: Etiology 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Scarab Template PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT ON CARD STOCK
- Family Take-Home - A Story in a Word PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
12. The Unification of Narmer Principle: Historical Exaggeration 7 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Palette Template PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Student Palette Template PDF PRINT ON CARD STOCK, CUT OUT BEFORE CLASS
- Family Take-Home - Spot the Exaggeration PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
13. The Feather of Maat Principle: Social Engineering 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Papyrus Strips PDF PRINT 1 PER 2 STUDENTS, CUT IN HALF
- Family Take-Home - Maat at Home PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
14. Set vs Horus: The Two Lands Principle: Geography 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - The Two Lands at Home PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
15. The Lament of Isis Principle: Human Emotion 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Osiris Shapes PDF PRINT ON CARD STOCK, CUT OUT BEFORE CLASS
- Family Take-Home - Grow Your Own Osiris PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
16. ESCAPE ROOM: The Hall of Two Truths Principle: All Five Principles 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Mission Log - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Mission Log with the Code PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Station Cards and Hint Tokens PDF PRINT 1, CUT APART
- Family Take-Home - Numbers Like a Scribe PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
Unit 3: Ancient Chinese Mythology
17. Pangu and the Creation Principle: Etiology 7 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Body-to-World Cards PDF PRINT 1, CUT APART
- Student Shadow Puppet Patterns PDF PRINT 1 ON CARD STOCK
- Family Take-Home - The Why Hunt PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
18. Nü Wa Repairs the Sky Principle: Historical Exaggeration 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Shadow Puppet Patterns PDF PRINT 1 ON CARD STOCK
- Family Take-Home - The Bigger Story PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
19. The Jade Emperor's Court Principle: Social Engineering 7 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Race Cards PDF PRINT 1, CUT APART
- Student Animal Puppet Patterns PDF PRINT 2 ON PLAIN PAPER, FOR TRACING
- Family Take-Home - The Family Zodiac PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
20. The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas Principle: Geography 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Shadow Puppet Patterns PDF PRINT 1 ON CARD STOCK
- Family Take-Home - The Water Near Home PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
21. Chang'e and the Moon Principle: Human Emotion 7 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Shadow Puppet Patterns PDF PRINT 1 ON CARD STOCK
- Student Scene Cards PDF PRINT 1, CUT APART, ONE PER TRIO
- Family Take-Home - Moon Watch PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
22. ESCAPE ROOM: The Jade Emperor's Challenge Principle: All Five Principles 7 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Mission Log - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Mission Log with the Code PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Station Cards and Hint Tokens PDF PRINT 1, CUT APART
- Student Palace Backdrop PDF PRINT 1 ON CARD STOCK
- Family Take-Home - Tell a Myth PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
Unit 4: Japanese Mythology
23. The Heavenly Jeweled Spear Principle: Etiology 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Kamishibai Scene Cards PDF PRINT 1 SET ON CARD STOCK
- Family Take-Home - Islands from the Kitchen PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
24. The Cave of Amaterasu Principle: Etiology 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Shide Strips PDF PRINT 1 PER 2 STUDENTS
- Family Take-Home - A Place to Mark PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
25. The Grateful Crane Principle: Human Emotion 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - Return a Favour PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
26. The Old Man Who Made Trees Bloom Principle: Geography 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Bare Tree PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Family Take-Home - A Season at Home PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
27. Ubasute-yama, the Mountain of the Old Principle: Social Engineering 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Riddle Lab Cards PDF PRINT 3, HAND OUT AFTER THE REVEALS
- Family Take-Home - Ask an Elder PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
28. The Faces in the Shells Principle: Historical Exaggeration 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - Faces Everywhere PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
Unit 5: Maya Mythology
29. The People of Corn Principle: Etiology 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - The Corn on Our Table PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
30. The Hero Twins in Xibalba Principle: Historical Exaggeration 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - Ball Games at Home PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
31. The Dwarf of Uxmal Principle: Social Engineering 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - The Smallest One Wins PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
32. The Aluxob of the Jungle Principle: Geography 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - Where Does Our Rain Go PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
33. The Hummingbird and the Weaver Principle: Human Emotion 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - Moon Watch PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
34. ESCAPE ROOM: The Broken Codex Principle: All Five Principles 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Mission Log - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Mission Log with the Code PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Station Cards and Hint Tokens PDF PRINT 1, CUT APART
- Family Take-Home - Numbers Like a Maya Scribe PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
Unit 6: Greek Mythology
35. In the Beginning: Chaos and the Titans Principle: Etiology 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - Our Family's Beginning PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
36. Prometheus and the Fire Principle: Social Engineering 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - Fire Rules at Home PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
37. Persephone and the Pomegranate Principle: Geography 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - Our Growing Year PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
38. Odysseus and the Cyclops Principle: Historical Exaggeration 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - Welcoming a Guest PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
39. The Weaving Contest of Arachne Principle: Human Emotion 5 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Myth Journal - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Journal PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Family Take-Home - A Web Hunt PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS
40. ESCAPE ROOM: The Oracle's Riddle Principle: All Five Principles 6 files
- Teacher Lesson Plan and Script DOCX
- Teacher Materials and Prep DOCX TEACHER ONLY
- Student Mission Log - Student Pages PDF PRINT 1 PER STUDENT
- Teacher Teacher Copy - Marked-Up Mission Log with the Code PDF DO NOT PRINT WITH PACKET
- Student Station Cards and Hint Tokens PDF PRINT 1, CUT APART
- Family Take-Home - My Name in Greek Letters PDF EMAIL AFTER CLASS