Title
Sharing Folktales with Others
Objectives
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Develop the desire and ability to share established folktales with others.
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Rudimentary knowledge of a particular folktale’s origin.
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Ability to use props or costuming to enhance the sharing of folktales with others.
By the time this lesson is used, pupils already should have become familiar with hearing the teacher read or tell a variety of folktales. The pupil also will have read a number of tales independently. If this has been done, it should not be a difficult task motivating each pupil to select a folktale of her/his own for telling or reading. Teaming pupils with children from one or more primary grades should provide added incentive. A variety of books containing appropriate tales should be made available. Most of those listed in the bibliography are suitable or the teacher may have a favorite of his/her own. Pupils who are initially reluctant or are unable to perform an entire tale may be teamed with another child to share the presentation of one tale. There is considerable benefit to be gained from such a cooperative venture.
After each pupil has made a selection, each must be given time to become familiar with the tale. When this is achieved, practice time is necessary. Discussing the advantages of telling vs. reading might be explored by the class as a whole with each individual or team making an independent decision regarding their approach. The qualities which lead to an interesting presentation should also be shared with the entire group. The teacher might demonstrate various examples of appropriate voice and presentation.
After sharing and perfecting their selected tales in small groups, at least some might be presented to the whole class for positive evaluation and discussion before moving on to their primary grade audience. Pupils should also be encouraged to present their tales to family members at home. Some pupils might be encouraged to include props or a degree of costuming as long as it does not detract from the basic tale.
The exact location and scheduling of these folktale sharing sessions must be worked out among the teachers involved. Before these sessions there also should be some preliminary discussion of mutual appreciation and respect with pupils of each participating classroom.
Tales might also be recorded for future use and to allow each pupil to hear her/his own presentation.
The lesson will take at least two classroom sessions of about 45 minutes each. More time will be needed if some work is not done independently.