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Subjects

• Arts & Humanities
  

Grade

• 3-5
  
• 6-8
  

Brief Description

Students read and act out folktales from various Native American cultures.

Objectives

Students will

• define the words folktale, legend, myth;
• demonstrate creative thinking and dramatic skills to dramatize a folktale;
• work together in cooperative groups.

Keywords

folktale, Native American, culture, drama, legend, myth

Materials Needed

• teacher-selected library sources of folktales from Native American cultures or printouts from the sites noted in the lesson plan, paper, pens or pencils

Lesson Plan

• Discuss the meanings of the words folktale, legend, myth.
  
  
• Use library or Internet sources to select folktales, legends, and myths from different Native American cultures. Here are three sites to help you start your research: Old Indian Legends, Native American Lore Index, and NativeWeb Resources: Short Stories -- Traditional.
  
  
• Read and discuss one story with the class.
  
  
• Divide the class into small groups. Distribute one story to each group.
  
  
• Have each group read the folktale aloud and then work together to create a short play or skit about the folktale. Tell students to think about and discuss the answers to these questions as they plan their skits: What is the main idea of the story? Who are the main characters in the story? What are the important events in the story? How does the story end? Encourage students to take notes as they plan their presentations.
  
  
• Have students present their skits or plays to the class.

Assessment

Evaluate students' presentations.

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Lois Lewis

National Standards

LANGUAGE ARTS: English
NL-ENG.K-12.1
NL-ENG.K-12.2
NL-ENG.K-12.3
NL-ENG.K-12.4
NL-ENG.K-12.5
NL-ENG.K-12.6
NL-ENG.K-12.9

Article by Gary Hopkins
Education World®
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