Synergy: Aztec Mythology

 

Aztec mythology is a collection of stories rooted in the Aztec civilization of central Mexico. This Mesoamerican culture flourished from the 14th through the early 16th century. The stories include a creation myth and accounts of numerous Aztec deities.

Read the recently published children’s picture book, then learn more at the website:

FEATHERED SERPENT AND THE FIVE SUNS by Duncan Tonatiuh is a Mesoamerican creation myth featuring Quetzalcóatl, the feathered serpent. The book concludes with an author’s note exploring the history of the story along with a glossary and bibliography.

MYTHOPEDIA is an authoritative web-based resource exploring myths around the world. The Aztec Mythology section examines the gods and goddesses, creatures and creation myths of the Aztec civilization. Each article explores the history along with providing examples of artwork and modern references.

To visit the website, go to https://mythopedia.com/aztec-mythology/.

ARC courtesy of Abrams.

Website: Global Oneness Project

The GLOBAL ONENESS PROJECT uses stories as a tool sharing world culture.

This standards-based, interdisciplinary project includes stories and lessons that address universal themes such as diversity, hope, empathy, and responsibility. These themes are connected to authentic global issues such as climate change, water scarcity, and sustainability. The website contains a free library of multimedia stories, films, photo essays, and article along with curriculum and discussion guides.

Librarians can use this website as part of a school-wide project. Share the stories and lessons with teachers, then build a plan for creating a “Global Oneness” display in the library sharing student work based on the universal themes.

To visit the website, go to https://www.globalonenessproject.org/.

Website: Timegraphics

TIMEGRAPHICS is a timeline maker for all ages.

Users can easily create public timelines that incorporate text, images, and media. The tool can be integrated into Google Services and exported into other programs and services. Timelines can be downloaded and include a watermark with the free version.

Librarians will find this online tool to be useful across the curriculum. Weave it into storytelling and history projects.

To visit the website, go to https://time.graphics/.

Website Review: Unfairy Tales

UNFAIRY TALES is a collection of animated stories exploring the plight of Syrian refugees.

Produced for UNICEF, the website contains three sections: Malak and the Boat, Mustafa Goes for a Walk, and The Story of Ivine and Pillow. In addition, videos show the children telling their stories.

Librarians will find this website to be useful in talking with children about issues regarding child refugees. Students will be particularly interested in how the children narrated the stories themselves.

To visit the website, go tohttps://www.unicef.org/em…/childrenonthemove/unfairytales/en.

Technology Review: StoryNory

STORYNORY is a website presenting free audio stories and poems to children.

This website contains 100s of free audio stories for young people. The stories are divided into original stories, fairytales, classic audio books, educational stories, myths and world stories, junior stories, and poems and music. Most of the works contain both text and audio. Within each sections, the stories are categorized. For instance, the fairy tale section includes stories by Hans Christian Andersen, Brother’s Grimm, Aesop, and more.

Librarians will find this website to be a useful resource for classroom teachers seeking short, classic stories. The easy-to-use format is appropriate for children. Although the website contains ads, they aren’t distracting.

To visit the website, go to http://www.storynory.com/.

Book Review: Also an Octopus

ALSO AN OCTOPUS by Maggie Tokuda-Hall is an engaging picture book exploring how stories are created.

This inspirational picture book tells the story of how stories are built. The author begins with a blank page, adds characters, and builds the plot using a silly situation sure to capture the imagination of young readers.

Librarians will find this book to be a useful way to introduce the elements of stories to young writers. Work with primary teachers to weave this book into the language arts curriculum.

Learn more about the author at http://www.prettyokmaggie.com/.

Published by Candlewick Press on October 4, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: StoryCorps

STORY CORPS is a nonprofit oral history project.

The website allows users to listen, watch, and read oral history recordings as well as record their own stories at the traveling StoryBooth. Users can search by collections, themes, initiatives and locations. Or, browse the collection. Participants can also explore collections of stories on topics such as veterans stories, September 11th stories, and love stories.

The easy-to-use app provides access to the oral history, along with tools to record their own stories.

Librarians will find this project to be a wonderful way to immerse children in oral history. Use the app to record and submit your own projects.

To visit the website, go to https://storycorps.org/.
To download the app, go tohttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/storycorps/id359071069.

Website Review: Mawah

MAWAH: WHEN EBOLA CAME TO OUR VILLAGE is an amazing, interactive storytelling experience.

This true story is told in ten engaging chapters. The experience begins in the summer of 2014 with a prologue explaining the beginnings of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Then, readers work their way through ten, interactive chapters featuring a narrative along with background information, videos, photographs, infographics, and links to additional information.

The subdued watercolor illustrations weave the narrative together in this ground-breaking approach to nonfiction storytelling.

Librarians will find this online experience to be an excellent way to introduce high school students to both the science and social issues associated with Ebola. The mixture of the compelling narrative with the informational segments will attract many students to this important and timely topic.

To visit the website, go to http://www.mawahtale.com.

Technology Review: Digital Stories

DIGITAL STORIES from the Wellcome Collection weaves digitized primary sources into fascinating historical stories.

This London library website currently contains two digital stories: Minecraft and The Collectors.

Using an intriguing web-based format, Minecraft explores a century of madness, murder and mental healing through historical photographs, drawings, paintings, and other primary source documents. In many cases, interactive features are available such as zooming into documents, extended galleries, and informational sidebars. Multimedia elements are also available.

The Collectors is a digital story focusing on the power of curiosity and the naturalists, explorers, scientists, and others who have been involved with collecting in centuries past. This interactive web-based project also features primary source materials and multimedia elements.

Librarians will find this website to be a fascinating way to present archival materials. Use the website when exploring primary sources and design an activity the involves students in writing their own digital stories based on a collection.

To visit the collection, go to http://digitalstories.wellcomecollection.org/.