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Compare world stories and create an original myth in this 3-week storytelling program for grades 4–5 on Bryn Mawr College’s campus.
Instructor:
Course Description
Why do stories about heroes, tricksters, transformations, and impossible creatures appear across the world? Students become story detectives, using a mythology passport and world map to record where a story comes from, what question it explores, and how its characters and symbols work.
Short readings, oral retellings, and reader’s theater introduce age-appropriate myths, legends, and folktales from several cultural traditions. Students compare story patterns while paying attention to differences in setting, purpose, and cultural context. They debate character choices, support interpretations with evidence, and design a creature or setting that follows consistent story-world rules.
During the final week, each student creates an original myth-inspired story around a big question, natural phenomenon, or human value. Writing workshops, peer feedback, and rehearsal lead to an illustrated story, comic, script, or narrated audio piece presented at a Myth Makers Storytelling Festival.
This 3-week Summer Discovery individual course takes place at Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, for students in grades 4–5. It meets in the afternoon and is available to commuter students. The broader Summer Discovery experience connects hands-on learning with campus life, new friendships, growing confidence, and curiosity students can keep exploring.
Why Mythology Skills Matter
Mythology gives students a rich way to practice close reading, comparison, and interpretation. A hero, trickster, monster, or transformation may look familiar across two stories, but the details reveal different questions, values, and cultural settings. Students learn to support their ideas with evidence instead of relying on first impressions.
Writing an original story adds planning and revision. Students must connect a character’s goal, obstacle, symbol, and resolution so the narrative holds together. Performing or presenting the work strengthens voice, audience awareness, and the ability to explain creative choices.
What Will You Do?
• Build a mythology passport and map each story’s cultural setting
• Compare myths, legends, and folktales using textual evidence
• Retell a traditional story through voice, gesture, and reader’s theater
• Debate character choices and interpret important symbols
• Design a creature or setting with consistent story-world rules
• Write, revise, and present an original myth-inspired story
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Compare stories from different traditions using evidence and cultural context
• Analyze how character, conflict, symbol, and transformation shape a narrative
• Create and present an original myth-inspired story for an audience
Students will leave with a mythology passport, comparison work, and a finished story, plus new storytelling skills and curiosity to keep reading and creating.
Why Bryn Mawr?
Bryn Mawr gives elementary students a welcoming place to spend the day learning, creating, and meeting new friends. Its historic, tree-lined setting near Philadelphia makes a summer class feel special and collegiate while remaining close enough for students to return home each afternoon.
The commuter-day format combines hands-on academics with a clear daily routine, shared activities, and Summer Discovery support throughout the program day. Students can try something new, build confidence through participation, and enjoy the fun of learning on a college campus without an overnight stay. For families, Bryn Mawr offers a thoughtful balance of creativity, academic challenge, friendship, and age-appropriate independence in a structured day-program environment.
Who Should Attend?
This course is for students entering grades 4–5 who enjoy myths, folktales, fantasy, reading, performance, art, or creative writing. It is a good fit for students who like asking why characters make certain choices and how stories change across time and place.
Students should be ready to read and discuss short texts, listen respectfully to stories from different cultures, collaborate in performance activities, and revise an original piece. Prior mythology or creative-writing experience is not required.
View the eligibility requirements for the Institute for the Gifted on our FAQ page. A completed Summer Discovery application is required.
After successfully finishing this course, you will be awarded a certification completion for your accomplishment.
*This is a preview, not what you will receive