After the teacher presents the previous information followed by suggested activities, the next procedure is helping the students actualize or develop the material as much as possible. A variety of strategies are utilized in order to elicit student involvement. Some examples of “universal” proverbs are elicited from the students. A comparison and analysis is made with at least one Panamanian proverb which is prevalent in other cultures. Students will be asked to interview their grandparents or senior citizens in their neighborhoods.
As previously alluded to, one of the objectives is to make students aware of and appreciate the various aspects of folklore, among these being that history is often reflected in the lore of a country. To accomplish this, La Isla del Encanto, a famous Panamanian legend, will be translated, paraphrased and analyzed. It will then be staged as a mini-drama for the school or PTA.
One of the most distinctive features of folklore is that a given theme or story may be found in different countries. Students will understand this feature through reading and comparing the Panamania version of Cinderella (Maria la Cenicienta) which is found in other cultures with variations. Students are encouraged to write their version of this story as well as given opportunities for paraphrasing.
One of the ultimate goals is to enhance and further develop the students’ ability and skill to express themselves in verbal and oral forms. For this dual purpose speech improvisations in verse from folklore poetry is read, interpreted and acted out. For example, the popular Tingalayo, which has counterparts in Panama and in the Caribbean, will be studied. Another strategy that is used for an overall attainment of objectives is to invite native Panamanians in the community to visit our foreign language classes during “foreign language week” and encourage them to tell the students “living” versions of folktales. After listening to these folktales students attempt to reconstruct them by writing the stories they heard, and perhaps adding their own creative endings. Students can compare what they write with other tales they know or have heard at the same time have an extra opportunity to develop listening and writing skills (This is also a city-wide objective of the New Haven Public Schools).