Curated OER
Tall Tales
Students are provided with an opportunity to explore not only the interface but also the variety of scenery and objects available on the program. Younger students may require additional teacher assistance during the computer activity.
Curated OER
The Notorious Hope Diamond: What Makes an American Legend?
Students view and discuss a video on the legend of the Hope Diamond then compare and contrast other tales such as Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill and Johnny Appleseed. They analyze basic characteristics of these legends then use descriptive...
Curated OER
ILLUSTRATING TALES AND FOLKLORE
Seventh graders explore tales, stories and folklore while practicing creative illustration techniques.
Curated OER
A Fish Story
Learners closely examine and analyze an American tall tale. They find the key features of a tall tale and compose a tall tale of their own. Student groups write, edit and present their tales to the class.
Curated OER
Seven Chinese Brothers
Fourth graders identify the characteristics of a tall tale. They read "The Seven Chinese Brothers" and analyze it for these characteristics. Students complete a comprehension worksheet and discuss why "The Seven Chinese Brothers" can be...
Curated OER
Tall Tales Folded Envelope Book
Students create a book using art, problem solving and language skills. They illustrate and write a tall tale. They sculpt a character from their tall tale.
Curated OER
Don't Stop the Weaving
The importance of oral tradition is evident throughout time and across space. Introduce your learners to some interesting stories and then test their knowledge with these questions. Ten multiple-choice questions focus on characters and...
Curated OER
Storytelling
Students explore the origins of folktales, fairytales, myths, legends, fables, and folktales in the ten lessons of this unit. A storytelling festival is held to feature the results of the variety of activities presented in the unit.
Curated OER
Legends
Pupils are introduced to the topic of legends. Using the text of Irving's novels, they gather information on different cultures. They practice using new vocabulary and their listening skills. They retell the stories in chronlogical order.
Curated OER
Ten Characters from American Folklore
Students read short stories about ten characters from American folklore. They match a statement about each character with the correct character. They then rewrite one of the ten stories in their own words (optional).
Curated OER
Conventions: Hyperbole
Fifth graders discuss hyperbole. In this language arts lesson, 5th graders understand that hyperbole enables writers to make a point by describing something in an overly dramatic way. Students create a list of objects that can be used to...
Curated OER
Folktale Unit: Johnny Appleseed
Students participate in a shared reading of Steven Kellogg's, Johnny Appleseed and discuss the meaning of folktales and legends. They watch a video of the same story for comparison purposes. They journal about their favorite folktale and...
Curated OER
Folktale Unit: Pecos Bill
Students experience a shared reading of Steven Kellogg's, Pecos Bill, while learning the associated vocabulary. They examine similarities and differences in folktales and discuss what a hero is. Finally, journal about their favorite part...
Curated OER
Myth, Legend and Folklore
Students examine the role of myths and folklore in the Native American culture. They listen to examples of oral history and write their own. They share their story with the class.
Curated OER
Sequencing a Chinese Folktale
Students sequence the events of the popular Chinese folktale "The Terrible Nung Gwama" using a graphic organizer. This lesson takes 45-minutes and includes two possible enrichment activities.
Other
Paul Bunyan: The Giant Lumberjack
This online version of the tall tale of Paul Bunyan features illustrations of this American folk hero.
![[Archived Content]wisconsin Historical Society: Paul Bunyan Handout](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "[Archived Content]wisconsin Historical Society: Paul Bunyan Handout")
Wisconsin Historical Society
[Archived Content]wisconsin Historical Society: Paul Bunyan
Many legends live on in Wisconsin (and elsewhere) about Paul Bunyan, a giant of a lumberjack and a folk hero. This article describes how the legends have survived and grown.
Other
Learning Activities: Paul Bunyan and His Blue Ox
Several suggested activities for engaging small children in the American folk tale of Paul Bunyan. The lesson plan and story include discussion, an online jigsaw puzzle, and coloring pages.
S.E. Schlosser
American Folklore: Tall Tales
This site provides brief tall tales from many different states. The site also provides what they all have in common.
Other
Tall Tales and Tricksters
This site talks about what a tall tale is and also lists some tall tales and their characters. There are many book references to help.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Larger Than Life
Students will write a tall tale narrative including larger than life characters with unusual skills or abilities using exaggeration, humor, surprise endings, and story elements (setting, characters, conflict, resolution).
Broward Education Foundation
Broward Education Foundation: The Arts and Crafts of Storytelling [Pdf]
In the Arts and Crafts of Storytelling, American folk heroes come to life, help young scholars expand their vocabulary and increase knowledge of figurative language. Students identify figurative language like similes, idioms and...