Curated OER
American Prehistory: 8000 Years of Forest Management
Students discuss the first people to live in North America and the types of evidence we have of their existence. They complete a set of worksheets and explore their answer in group discussions.
Curated OER
Folklore and Culture
Sixth graders explore the four kinds of folklore in this seven instructional activity unit. Through reading a variety of legends, muths, fables, and folklores the concepts pf the lessons are synthesized byStudents.
Curated OER
Legends of the Fifth
Students explore the the legends and myths of the Orient, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas in this six lessons unit. Different cultures and belief systems of the inhabitants of these areas are examined through storytelling techniques.
Curated OER
I Spy. What Do You See?
Learners play "Veo, veo" (I Spy), a game from the oral tradition that incorporates the alphabet.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Elements of Fables
This ArtsEdge unit on fables shows how to compare and contrast, read and write fables, and discuss the elements they contain. Has great links, definitions, and fable examples.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Definition of Oral Tradition and Folklore
This curriculum unit for teaching about "Folklore in the Oral Tradition, Fairytales, Fables and Folk-legend" begins with a definition of Oral Tradition.
Other
Central Oregon Community College: African Storytelling
This essay provides an excellent explanation of the importance of storytelling and what the author refers to as "orature," oral tradition as opposed to "literature" or written tradition. Clear examples are provided, including several...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: American Colonial Literature: Native American Myths
This lesson focuses on Native American myths including the creation myth "The Earth on Turtle's Back." It includes links to the above myth, a self-assessment quiz, and an assignment for a mini-report over a Native American tribe.
Other
Milwaukee Public Museum: Indian Country: Oral Tradition
The Milwaukee Public Museum provides this introduction to the Native American oral tradition and oral literature of the Great Lakes region. Describes common themes and characters, including trickster characters and windingo (ice...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: American Masters Collection: N. Scott Momaday
This is a collection of three video lessons from N. Scott Momaday about Kiowa Native American stories, storytelling, and their oral traditions.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Storytelling: Performance and Art
Students explore how stories can be told without words, such as through performance and art. This is one of four storytelling lessons.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Storytelling: Oral Traditions
Students talk about what makes a good story, look at the oral tradition of storytelling, and compare and contrast stories from two different cultural traditions. This is one of four storytelling lessons.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Arts Edge: Lesson: Exploring Russian Folktales
Expand on your students' knowledge of storytelling with this lesson plan on Russian folktales. Provides several links to examples, assessment criteria, and a short list of other sources.
PBS
Mpr: The Meaning of Sioux Music and Song
This site from the Minnesota Public Radio provides the text of a 1915 article written by musician and self-trained anthropologist, Frances Densmore. Densmore spent years studying the music and culture of the Teton Sioux and other native...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Fable and Trickster Tales Around the World
The lessons presented in this website "introduce children to folk tales" and how these folktales are changed and affected by generational and cultural values. Includes several links to further related information on folktales, fables,...
Other
Pima Legend of the Flood on Superstition Mountain
English text of the Pima legend "The Flood on Superstition Mountain."
Other
Canku Ota: Newsletter Celebrating Native America
Children of all ages will enjoy reading these authentic Native American legends. Be sure to click on "kids pages" to read other stories written by students!
University of Victoria (Canada)
The U Vic Writer's Guide: Literary Term: Fable
The University of Victoria's English department gives a comprehensive definition of fables. Example included.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Lesson Plan: Writing Folktales
With this lesson plan, students examine the American tradition of folk tales and tall tales, then write and illustrate their own original tale. Provides links to more information, an assessment rubric, extension ideas, and a list of...
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Leslie Marmon Silko
This site features links to lesson plans and activities for the book "Ceremony" by Leslie Marmon Silko. Come and explore the world of this amazing author.
Other
Storytelling to Assess Speaking and Listening
An effective use of rubrics that encourages the student storyteller how to determine if his/her audience is listening. Learn about the different listening skill rubrics, storytelling rubrics and a self-assessment guide that asks the...
Other
Native American Indian Legends: Origin of the Saguaro and Palo Verde Cacti: A Pi
A Native American Pima legend on how the saguaro and palo verde cacti came into existence. With links to other Native American legends, artwork, photographs, articles, and more.
University of Richmond
University of Richmond: Rewriting Ethnography
A literary review and criticism concerning the book "Ceremony" by Leslie Marmon Silko. Analyzes the Laguna oral tradition and its presence in Silko's novel.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Early American and Colonial Period to 1776
Background information about the literary traditions of the pre-Colonial and Colonial period. Includes information about Native American oral traditions and Native American cultures. Follow the links to the Early American era and to...