Background Sources
Boorstin, Daniel J.
The Americans—The Democratic Experience
. New York: Random House, 1973.
The history and meaning of America, Civil War to the present told through the everyday experience.
Hoffman, Daniel.
Form and Fable in American Fiction.
New York: W.W. Norton Company, Inc., 1961.
Useful for classes in early American literature. Points out the role of folklore in the works of Hawthorne, Irving, Melville and Twain. Much information on Backwoodsmen vs. Yankee folk types.
Lofaro, Michael A., ed.
Davy Crockett: The Man, The Legend, The Legacy 1786-1986
. Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press, 1985.
An everything-youeverwantedtoabout-Davy Crockett book, from his birth to each of his re-births in folklore, literature, song, and movie.
Robertson, James O.
American Myth American Reality
. New York: Hill & Wang, 1980.
A very interesting and informative study of the myths of America. The section entitled “The Pursuit of Happiness” adds greatly to this unit.
Slotkin, Richard.
Regeneration Through Violence—The Mythology of the American Frontier, 16001860
. Middletown, Connecticut: Wesleyan University, 1973.
The basic thesis is that violence is essential to the growth of our national character. This work provides insightful comments on Daniel Boone and the meaning of his role for American culture.
Quarles, Benjamin.
The Negro in the Making of America.
London: Collier-MacMillan LTD, 1970.
Traces the history of blacks in America from the early 1600’s to the Nixon Era. Informative chapter entitled “The House of Bondage”.
Weems, Mason Locke.
The Life of Washington
. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1962.
This is Parson Weems’ book that includes “Washington and the Cherry Tree.” The introduction by Marcus Cunliffe provides useful information on Weems.
Williams, Brett.
John Henr
y—
A BioBibliography
. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1983.
Traces John Henry’s life through story, song, legend and art. Includes work of Johnson and Chapman and a wonderful bibliography of books, recordings and films.
Folklore Sources
Battle, Kemp P.
Great American Folklore Legends, Tales, Ballads and
Superstitions From All Across America
. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1986.
A book I didn’t want to return. Fun to read, for adults as well as older students. A source for Johnny Appleseed, Davy Crockett, Sweet Betsey, John Henry, Casey Jones and many more.
Botkin, B.A.
A Treasury of New England Folklore
. New York: Crown Publishers, 1947.
A rich source of folklore. Many Yankee Peddler stories found here.
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ATreasury of Southern Folklore
. New York: Crown Publishers, 1949.
Another volume of great regional folklore. Peg Leg Joe is mentioned here, as well as tales of John Henry and Casey Jones.
Coffin, Tristram Potter and Cohen, Henning, eds.
The Parade of Heroes
. New York: Doubleday, 1978.
An anthology of legendary figures in American folklore, from the wellknown to more obscure regional characters.
Dorson, Richard M.
America in Legend.
New York: Random House, 1973.
Traces American folklore from the colonial period to the present. Another funtoread book containing selections useful for middle and high school students.
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American Negro Folktales
. Greenwich, Connecticut: Fawcett Publications, Inc., 1956.
A wonderful collection of African-American folklore, rich and diverse, based on a true oral tradition.
Leach, Maria and Fried, Jerome.
Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend
, 2 vols. New York: Funk & Wagnal, Company, 1949.
Very valuable resource volumes.
Drama Instruction Sources
Center of Theatre Techniques in Education.
Bananas
. For information contact: CTTE, 800 Dixwell Ave., New Haven, CT, 06511 2037766484.
Written by artists, this little sourcebook is filled with many useful multiarts activities and projects. Definitely worth checking out.
Goodwillie, Barbara.
Breaking Through—Drama Strategies for 10’s to 15’s
. Rowayton, Connecticut; New Plays Book, 1986.
Especially written for drama teachers and group leaders working with middle school children, this booklet provides excellent exercises and activities.
Hodgson, John and Richards, Ernest.
Improvisations
. New York: Grove Press, Inc., 1966.
An informative book for teachers who want to use improvisation in the classroom. Contains suggestions for characterization work and building plays from improvs.
Spolin, Viola.
Improvisations for the Theater
. Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University Press, 1963.
A basic handbook for teachers of drama. Filled with workshops based on the author’s theater game process.
Wilder, Rosilyn.
A Space Where Anything Can Happen.
Rowayton, Connecticut: New Plays Books, 1977.
A fine sourcebook for setting up a creative drama program in the middle school. It is filled with many valuable activities and projects.