This teacher's guide of supplemental cultural materials includes descriptions of major celebrations and cultural activities of the German people. The text includes songs, poems, and stories about the New Year, carnival, springtime, Easter, fall festivals, and Christmas, as well as a traditional German wedding. (TR)

Step-by-step instructions and diagrams for 11 traditional folk dances of the southern Appalachian mountain region appropriate for beginners are provided. The dances are grouped into five broad categories: (1) openers, which use a leader to pick up participants as the dance progresses; (2) mixers (Oh, Susannah, Texas Schottische, Gary Gordon's…

In this article, historical aspects of the pre-Lenten celebration of Carnival are discussed and the Carnival is examined in terms of its meaning as a "rite of passage." One of the most important functions of Carnival is its original one of being a ritual with profound secular and religious implications. (Author/MC)

Discusses the history of Cherokee stickball, a ball game dating back at least to the 1500s that was once used (as an alternative to war) for resolving grievances between tribes and townships. Describes traditional aspects of Cherokee stickball and notes the steady decline of the game and its traditional rules and ceremonies. (LP)

During the 1920s, Walker Calhoun learned traditional songs and dances from his uncle, Will West Long, spiritual leader of the Big Cove Cherokees. Nine years ago, Calhoun began teaching them to his grandchildren and other young people. Calhoun has received numerous honors for his work to preserve Cherokee culture. (LP)

Discusses how teachers can facilitate greater cultural understanding and acceptance among their students. Describes activities for primary school students that are useful in promoting cultural understanding and acceptance, such as a unit on comparing folk tales and exploring cultures through art. Includes a bibliography of resources. (CMK)

This Amana (Iowa) Folklife Curriculum has been planned as an easily-implemented sequence of activities comparing community and family folklife traditions with current practices. The K-5 activities are planned to coincide with holidays in the regular school calendar whenever possible. All activities compare and contrast present-day practices with…

This conference report argues that folk arts, which are transmitted informally by community word of mouth and example, represent the core culture of the community. Since a central goal for education is to prepare students to understand, live in, and contribute to their culture, the traditional folk arts represent valuable classroom resources. They…

Traditional and contemporary Hupa songs as sung by a Hupa medicine woman in her 70's are collected in this booklet. Songs are presented in Hupa and English on facing pages that are illustrated with pen and ink drawings. The four songs are "Flower Dance Song" and "Kick Dance Song" (both for traditional religious ceremonial…

This publication is comprised of bibliographic citations and lists of organizations, funding resources, and journals that provide information related to arts and humanities programs in rural America. The bibliography includes 22 annotated citations of resource guides, program descriptions, government reports, and journal articles published…

This serial issue is devoted to examining the artists of Germany, their cultural economy, and their increasing dependence on public agencies for support. The prospects for the up-and-coming generation of artists are examined and the available training institutions, teaching staff, study programs and qualifications for professional prospects and…

The U.S. celebration of Halloween has worldwide connections. Although Halloween originated in the pre-Christian European celebration of summer's end, many of the customs associated with the event derive from both pagan and Christian beliefs and practices throughout the world. This document gives a historic overview of Halloween customs and…

This manual for children's librarians was produced in conjunction with the Kentucky bicentennial and is intended to help find ways for children to experience the past; to stimulate ideas about book-related programs suited to individual communities and resources; and to suggest history-related activities. The manual is presented in seven sections:…

A packet of teaching activities helps elementary and secondary teachers commemorate the sesquicentennial of Texas' independence. Activities include listening to stories about the mockingbird, bluebonnet, and pecan tree, drawing interpretations of these stories, and using a graphics tablet, light pen, or graphics software to illustrate a Texas folk…

As more emphasis is placed on helping children gain a global perspective and understanding of the world, children's literature seems to be a natural vehicle for fostering that understanding. By studying the storyteller, educators can learn about literary traditions of communities, particularly traditions which reflect the use of stories. An…