1. Elements of Folktales
7th Grade Literature

2. In your notebook write your definition
What is a Folktale?
In your notebook write your definition

3. Now, compare!
Stories about peoples' lives and imaginations as they struggled with their fears and anxieties
Folktales were made up to explain the wonders of the world or to teach morals and lessons

4. Characteristic #1
Folktales were passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth, which is called oral tradition

5. Characteristic #2 Characterization:
The hero and heroine are usually young
The heroine is usually fair, kind, charitable, and caring
The hero is usually honorable, courageous, unselfish, and caring.
Both usually have special abilities or powers

6. Characteristic #3 Setting:
Place is described easily and briefly (humble cottage)
Time is in the past (usually long-ago) imbedded within the history of the culture
Time is fantasy time, any time or any place, timeless or placeless, or a long time ago

7. Characteristic #4 Plot Very simple, though interesting
The plot starts right out with fast moving action that grabs the listeners interest and keeps it
Conflicts are usually resolved with great deeds or acts of human kindness related to good and bad/evil

8. Good is rewarded and evil is punished in the end
Characteristic #5
Theme
Usually universal truths, lessons, and values related to people, their actions, and/or material goods that is valued by the group that creates the folktale
Good is rewarded and evil is punished in the end
Good versus Evil

9. Characteristic #6 Point of View
Often third person narrative. Could be first.

10. Assessment True or False
The plot in folktales is usually a complicated one
A common theme is man versus animal
Folktales were passed down through oral tradition
The setting is vividly described throughout the story

11. Day 2

12. How can we give hope to others?
Where do people find hope?
What is hope?
Where do you find it?
HOPE
How can we give hope to others?
Why do we need it?
Brainstorm the answers to these questions with a partner.

13. About the Author
Virginia Hamilton ( ) Virginia Hamilton grew up listening to her parents, grandparents, and others tell stories of their past. She realized that “they were passing along heritage and culture and a pride in their history.”

14. A hopeful Community
Despite the hardships they faced, enslaved people held on to a sense of community and tradition. They passed on stories, folk tales, and legends from generation to generation.
The folktale, “The People Could Fly” is one example of these stories of hope and tradition.

15. Background to the folktale
Between the 1500’s and 1800’s, about 12 million Africans were sent to North and South America as enslaved people. Colonists in the Americas wanted a cheap labor forcé to support their large-scale farming. People were kidnapped in Africa and sent overseas as enslaved people to be sold.

16. Vocabulary croon 7. shed snag 8. clumsily shuffle 9. glinty
plantation seize
overseer snarled
gaze