Jason & the Golden Fleece & 40 Hour Marathon - Level 27-28

In this dynamic pairing of fiction and non-fiction, readers are taken on two very different but equally inspiring journeys. Jason and the Golden Fleece retells the famous myth in which Jason embarks on a perilous quest to reclaim his kingdom, encountering legendary characters and overcoming mighty challenges along the way. This narrative includes vivid dialogue and a clear story structure that highlights themes of courage, perseverance, and heroism. The non-fiction counterpart, Forty-Hour Runathon, presents the real-life efforts of students raising money for a global charity. With its mix of procedural, narrative, and explanatory text forms, it offers a detailed account of a school fundraiser, complete with planning schedules and budget targets. This paired text encourages students to explore different forms of determination-one rooted in myth and the other grounded in reality-while drawing comparisons between ancient and modern challenges. Together, these texts engage readers in deep thinking about character motivation, teamwork, and real-world action.

Educational Benefits:

• Builds understanding of narrative structures and mythological elements.
• Encourages critical comparison between fictional and factual accounts of challenge.
• Reinforces planning and problem-solving through real-life fundraising.
• Enhances vocabulary through both ancient mythology and contemporary text features.

Classroom Ideas:

• Have students write their own modern-day myth based on a classroom value or school event.
• Create a fundraising campaign plan with steps, goals, and responsibilities.
• Analyse Jason's journey using a story map; compare it with the event timeline in the non-fiction.
• Discuss how myths and real-life stories both reflect human values and challenges.

Safety & Information:

• Ages: 8-10
• Book size: 200mm x 210mm
• Text type: Fiction (myth), Non-fiction (report, narrative, procedure)
• Suitable for group or independent reading in classroom settings