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Flights of Fancy
Subjects: Language Arts, Fine Arts
Location: Classroom
Grade Level: 5-8 (may be adapted for elementary or high school groups)
Activity Type: Post-Electronic Field Trip
OBJECTIVES
The student will
- Examine conceptions/traditions regarding swans in
various cultures around the world.
- Perform or create (using storytelling,
dance, dramatic, artistic, or musical techniques) a traditional work
of art about swans.
BACKGROUND
With their great size, graceful manner, and distinctive voice, swans
have inspired people throughout history. Swans have been used as symbols
in the myths and religious ceremonies of many cultures including Greek
and Roman mythology and ancient Egyptian and early Christian lore. They
were also popular with the shamans of the East, the wizard men of Lapland,
and the medicine men of Native American Indians. The use of swans in
stories, myths, and ceremonies was most evident in the cultures of the
Northern Hemisphere. Some examples are: the Eurasian "swan princess"
fairly tales, the Irish legend about the children of King Lir, Tchaikovsky's
Swan Lake, Trumpet of the Swans by E. B. White, the constellation
of Cygnus the Swan, coins of Germany, and the badge of Henry IV of England.
PROCEDURE
Following the electronic field trip, the teacher will
- Read aloud the background section of this lesson.
- Provide students with the opportunity to research cultural expressions
of the swan. (Teachers should be aware that some cultural references,
including several in Greek and Roman mythology may not be appropriate
for middle school students. Teachers may want to prepare their own
list of suggestions for students to research further.)
- Instruct students to prepare a presentation involving a traditional
work of art about swans through storytelling, dance, music, art, etc.
- Invite students to present their projects to the class.
EXTENSION
Encourage students to create and present their own cultural expressions,
focussing on the trumpeter swan.
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