Folktale Comparison

Folklorist Alan Dundes claims that over 1,000 versions of the Cinderalla story have been found throughout the world. Many older children are fascinated to discover that, while the names vary, the magical objects differ, and settings change, the basic elements of the story remain the same. I love the idea of a literature unit for upper elementary students to learn about folktales and develop critical reading skills through comparison. Added bonus? Students are introduced to a variety of cultures from around the world.

Cinderella Folk Tales: Variations in Plot and Setting - from EdSITEment, from the National Endowment for the Humanities
Cinderella Folk Tales: Variations in Character - companion lesson to ^
Folktales: Lessons in life from around the globe - extensive teaching unit for 2nd grade
Behind the Scenes with Cinderella - 7 lesson unit for 3-5th graders from ReadWriteThink
Lesson on Folktale Elements from ArtsEDGE - I LOVE this educational resource center from the Kennedy Center.
Cinderella Trilogy - ArtsEDGE unit focused solely on Cinderella tales (for 3-4th grade)
Searching for Cinderella - another Arts EDGE lesson, this time for 5-8th grade, with emphasis on music and language arts
University of Pittsburgh site for teaching about ethnicity/diversity - Folktale unit is "When Tortoise Wins"
Comparing folktales from NC -focus on 3 folktales originating in North Carolina

Next post:  Great Cinderella versions - a bibliography

Natalie Babbitt's Tuck Everlasting

This classic "modern fantasy" book is a gem for early middle schoolers.  Actually it is hard for me to classify anything written in 1975 as "classic" since I was born that year... "Classic" sounds synonymous with "antique" - UGH! Anyway, I digress...  I found several fantastic resources online for lesson plans and/or literature units.

*SIDE NOTE* My favorite teaching method involves using literature to teach every aspect of language arts. If I could, I would completely remove all textbooks and study language in use, not in theory.

So here are some great online resources for Tuck Everlasting:

Tuck Everlasting - Project-based literature unit

Glencoe Literature Resource for Tuck Everlasting - includes author background, activities for pre-reading and post-reading, and worksheet-based lessons (which I always love to have just in case I have to use a substitute teacher)

Post-Reading Activities - some great ideas for a range of learning styles

3 Student Activities - including a science lesson and a creative writing lesson

Scholastic Pre-Reading Activities for Tuck Everlasting

Every child should read this book. Every adult should re-read this book. Yes, it is that good.

Let's start at the very beginning...

I have been hesitant to enter the world of blogging for years... What could I possibly have to say that anyone would want to read?? BUT I finally decided to dive in. Why the heck not?!  At the very least, this will be helpful for me. And maybe (just maybe...) someone else will be able to gain something from this too.  I am really good at sharing - I have two sisters.  So I'm starting by sharing research into children's literature units with FREE resources. I like free...