PREP ACTIVITIES
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1) In order for students to have a clearer understanding of the cultural context from which Anansi stories come, it would be helpful to explore some cultural and geographic aspects of West Africa-Ghana, in particular.
SUGGESTIONS:
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-Compare and contrast rural and urban life-styles
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-Foods commonly eaten throughout the region
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-Wildlife that inhabits the region
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-Ceremonial and music customs
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-West African graphics, art and design
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-Folktales and other oral literature
Resources that may be helpful are included in the bibliography
FOLLOW-UP
1) Gossip Scene:
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Objective—to get students talking about the story from different viewpoints, to tell a story about a story.
In small groups students are to “talk “about the events of the story from the viewpoint of characters living in that community: ie. Osun’s cousin is talking with his friends, jackal and hyena about the trick—Anansi played on his uncle’s family . . . “Did you hear what happened to my uncle Osun? Anansi really got him this time . . . “ As this ‘gossip’ session progresses the friends will respond with their own comments and ideas. Some groups may wish to share their scene with the larger group.
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2) New Endings:
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Review story by retelling or reading to students, stopping at a strategic moment during the story’s climax or resolution. Students then create their own ending for the story.
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3) The Encounter:
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Anansi and Osun encounter each other sometime later. What might they have to say? (Students may act this out in pairs)
