The Moon of Myths and Legends
The moon has been a topic of interest from the very beginning. Sailors and other explorers have used it for a beacon of hope and direction, astronomers have studied it's effects on our world, and people all over the world have created religion, cults, and legends to explain it and honor its mystery.Native Americans in particular have created and passed along stories and legends for generations that try to explain the wonder and workings of the moon. Though each tribe has there own versions, there are stories to explain its creation, the moon cycles, and why it looks the way it does. Komorkis, the Blackfoot Moon Goddess has her own long list of stories and legends. Nativelanguages.org is an excellent resource for Native American legends about the moon. It also has a great list of recommended books to use in the classroom when discussing Native Americans, legends and folklore, or the moon in general.
Ancient Chinese believed that there were twelve moons, one for each month of the year. They also believed that the moons were made of water and would bless the people with rain. The Mid-Autumn festival, which is still celebrated today, revolves around the Myth of Hou Yi and the blessing from the 8th moon. You can learn more about this festival and legend HERE.
The following books are great to start discussions about moon related myths and legends in any culture:
- How the Moon Regained Her Shape by Janet Ruth Heller
- Brother Sun, Sister Moon by Katherine Paterson
- Long Night Moon by Cynthia Rylant
History and the Moon
The moon was also a central player in some of America's most exciting times. The space race, fueled by the Cold War, is a central topic in the 6th grade curriculum. The following book list is a great jumping point for discussing innovations and explorers of space in any grade level.- MoonShot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca
- Reaching for the Moon by Buzz Aldrin
- One Giant Leap: The Story of Neil Armstrong by Don Brown
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