Fables and trickster stories are short narratives that use animal characters with human features to convey folk wisdom and to help people understand human nature and human behavior. These stories were originally passed down through oral tradition and were eventually written down. These lesson plans are intended for students in grades 3-5 and…

The design of this curriculum project allows teachers to introduce the rich Indian culture in a non-threatening way to learners who struggle with writing material. It was initially developed for special education students who read and write significantly below grade level. Some of the project's lessons include showing the students artwork and…

"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…

The Bedouins of ancient Arabia and Persia made poetry a conversational art form, and several poetic forms developed from the participatory nature of tribal poetry. Today in most Arab cultures, people may still experience public storytelling and spontaneous poetry challenges in the streets. The art of turning a rhyme into sly verbal sparring is…

This activity book is designed for grades 5-8 to look at America at home during World War II. The work examines the efforts of the men, women, and children who supported and supplied one of the greatest mobilizations of people and material that the world has ever witnessed. The activities were planned to compliment the exhibit of the same name,…

The book is divided into four sections in a way that ensures seasonal recognition and environmental awareness. Each chapter within the sections begins with one or more oral histories from Native nations relevant to the concepts and ideas covered in that chapter. The student is introduced to the Native perspective through the concept of the circle,…

Examines the role of storytelling as a medium for promoting language development and cognitive growth in a preschool setting. Gives a rationale for including interactive storytelling in language curriculum and suggestions for its effective use. Underlines that story presentation helps children experience the world as a whole, makes lessons…

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…

Folk culture is everyday culture. Since all students have a folk culture, a folklife unit is a good starting place for the study of personal, local, state, and national history, and by comparing similarities and differences, for the study of the folk traditions of others. The guide begins with an introduction to the field of folklife and the…

This curriculum guide describes a unit of study designed to help students learn academic and technical skills necessary for creating a video. Mayesville Elementary School (South Carolina) teachers and their students collaborated with a videographer and folklorist in a series of 3-week school residencies requiring students to develop stories using…

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 publication provides teachers with a practical resource of information on the early history, cultural heritage, and traditions of Native people in Manitoba. Sections 1 and 2 draw from archeological evidence and oral tradition, respectively, to present two different perspectives on the origins and lifeways of early peoples. The academic…

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…

Provides a useful introduction and overview to using storytelling in the elementary social studies classroom. Presents a rationale for using storytelling, tips on getting started, preparation for the story, and follow-up activities. Includes a 61-item bibliography of folktales and stories. (MJP)