Created for educators, the breakthrough approach offered in this book is designed to help build on natural storytelling abilities to refine communication skills for use in the classroom, library, and at home. The guide is divided into seven main parts. Part 1, "Natural Storytelling: 100% Natural You--With No Artificial Additives," offers…

Once upon a time, oral storytelling was the medium through which people learned their history, settled their arguments, and came to make sense of the phenomena of their world. Then along came the written word, and respect for storytelling as a tool of learning was almost forgotten. Storytelling is relating a tale to one or more listeners through…

This paper discusses the use of contemporary legends in the teaching of language and culture, specifically in English-as-a-second-language. Contemporary legends are a type of folk narrative, but unlike folk tales, they are believed to be true. They usually concern ordinary people who are known to the narrator, occur in familiar settings, and are…

Students are challenged to explore stories told through pictures, objects, and music throughout the units included in this guide. Students learn to identify and analyze a variety of recurring narratives, and in describing their own experiences, create their own stories and find meaning within these stories. Storytelling develops speaking and…

Noting that people enjoy listening to and telling stories, this guide shows bilingual teachers how to use storytelling to stimulate learning, to promote understanding among each other, and to enhance self-esteem. Sections of the guide are: Why Tell Stories?; Reflections Concerning Stories in the Classroom; Suggested Activities for Teachers; and…

Examines seven Hopi narratives that focus on the first death that occurred after the Hopis' emergence into this world. Provides questions to use in teaching this myth and other cultural texts, including questions concerned with use of sacred texts, parallels with Anglo stories, translation issues, audience, storytellers, quality, art of the…

Developed as part of an educational kit that includes a four-part videotape, maps, photographs, and audio tapes, this guide gives teacher preparation information, objectives, teaching strategies, and student activities for each of 3 lessons in 4 units: Unit 1, "Introduction to Folklife," presents a definition in lesson 1, "What is…

This book provides the basic knowledge to be able to tell stories. The stories presented target children in preschool through sixth grade. Following an introduction which considers the value of storytelling in culture and in education, the first chapter explains how to use the book and introduces the "telling guide," which appears…

This book encourages the use of cultural biographies as a way to understand various cultures. The volume is a collection of stories about the teachers and students in New York (New York) schools who have made family studies central to the curriculum. The book emphasizes the everyday lives of families, their social histories, and cultural…

"Folksong in the Classroom" is designed to be used by teachers of history, literature, music, and the humanities to encourage the study of history through folk song. This volume focuses on the history of the American Revolution, using song and script to better understand the American Revolutionary War. A question and answer segment encourages…

This book is based on the belief that children's literature and history should be linked in elementary classrooms. The resource book has three major sections. The first section provides a brief overview of eight historical understandings that can be developed using children's literature. These understandings, adapted from a list of "history's…

The papers included in this volume emphasize the need to connect the child and the narrative as a way to affect children's development in evaluating literature and information in all forms. Children are lively agents who create meaning as readers, viewers, and listeners. These proceedings address the myriad aspects of storytelling--practical,…

Traditionally, an important function of folktales in West Africa has been to educate, as the older generation imparts knowledge to younger members of the family, tribe, societal unit, or ethnic group both informally in everyday life and more formally within the context of the bush schools. This anthology of West African folk literature offers more…

This book strives to combine creative writing, the whole language approach, thinking skills, and problem-solving strategies with an introduction to ecological concepts. It aims to bring scientific facts to life by creating empathy for wild creatures and teach basic science skills by using creative writing and storytelling. This book contains nine…

This curriculum unit for middle school students explores the art of folklore and story telling. In the unit, students will explore the nature of various types of stories and tales and will identify the characteristics and motifs of subgenres such as tall tales, fairy tales, and fables. The following lessons are part of the unit: Folktales: A…