1. EDUC 205: Children’s Literature and the Writing Process
Day 8: Folktales

2. Schedule Reading from a children’s book
Traditional Literature – characteristics and evaluation
Observation 1 discussion

3. Traditional Literature
Folktales
Fables
Myths
Epics/legends
Bible Stories

4. Origin of Folk Literature
Oral tradition
Folktales, fairy tales, and fables – simple stories that reveal human behavior set in a world of wonder and magic
Myths – gods and creation
Epics and legends – heroes

5. Value of Folk Literature for Children
Story structure
Short and fast-moving
Humorous
Happy ending
Justice prevails
Kindle children’s imaginations

6. Folktales Simple and direct Repetition Three as a magic number
Characters
Good or evil
Strengths or weaknesses

7. Folktales Motifs Magical powers Transformations Magical Objects Wishes
Trickery

8. Folktales American Tall Tales Paul Bunyan Johnny Appleseed Pecos Bill
Sally Ann Thunder
Davy Crockett

9. Fables
Aesop
Brief didactic tales in which usually animals speak as humans
Usually 3 characters
Single incident
Meant to instruct - moral

10. Myths Explanations of earth, sky, humans god  gods  worship
Relationship of humans to gods
Creation
Nature
Hero

11. Epics and Legends Long narrative or cycle of stories with single hero
Cultural or national hero (human)

12. Bible Stories Study of Bible as a great work of literature
Myth – human search for and expression of truth and meaning
Helps children understand many other stories, allusions, and situations

13. Reading Observation Title/author of literature book Procedure
What techniques appear most effective?
Students’ reactions and responses
To remember

14. Coming Soon…
For Tuesday, check out a Cinderella book from Broadmoor Library; write an evaluation and be prepared to share all or part of the book
On Tuesday, we will sign up for peer teaching topics