The hypothesis was advanced that if the proverbs of a country could provide clues to its inhabitants' character which could be validated by reference to literature and commentaries of various types, an excellent guide would be available for educators. The information could be of value to teachers in that it would increase sensitivity to students,…

General remarks on the meaning of culture and cautions on avoiding cliches and stereotypes introduce the report. Various types of folklore are described with accompanying remarks on their contribution to Hispanic culture. The possible role of proverbs, folk songs, folk games, and folk dances in instruction is discussed. A list of suggested…

Although the great heterogeneity of Afro-American culture makes the identification of unique culture traits extremely difficult, two cultural extremes may be discerned; most people fall somewhere between. Mainstream culture is best exemplified in the life style of middle class white America. Many Negroes strive to copy this life style in their…

A specialized curriculum focusing on interrelationships of rural resident, the land, and small community and offering an alternative to urban-based literature could include units on American folklore, fictional accounts of early settlement, displaced Americans, small community life, the ecology issue, the individual-land relationship, historical…

The National Awards for Museum and Library Service give national recognition to institutions that play an integral and essential part in our learning society. The awards celebrate the efforts of libraries and museums of all sizes to connect with their increasingly diverse communities and to serve as centers of lifelong learning. As the pace of…

This "Teacher's Guide" and "Student Workbook" accompany a videotape and poster map in a package intended to introduce the heritage, historical events, customs and beliefs of the Haitian people, with emphasis on the valuable contributions of the African-American culture. The student workbook contains a summary of the video…

The Maine Folklife Center is a division of the University of Maine (Orono) College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and helps the University fulfill its mission of teaching, research, and public service. The Maine Folklife Center offers courses in folklore, oral history, and public history. This curriculum guide can help teachers fulfill the Maine…

How to identify and measure educational quality pervades American education. The Higher Education Research Institute and the Council on Learning launched a study to identify broad quality indicators, particularly at the undergraduate level. Peer groups and indices of selectivity are among the facets used to measure quality of education. (MLW)

Presents picture books, fiction, nonfiction, biographies, folklore, and poetry for young students (kindergarten-grade 8) studying China. Suggests activities based on the books using art, physical education, language arts, research skills, math, science, geography, and drama. Highlights books and collections of folk tales with stories about…

Examines the effects of institutionalized appropriation and colonization on mountain cultural artists, arts, and arts education in West Virginia. Interview excerpts convey the conflict between institutional representatives and mountain cultural artists regarding questions about authenticity, artistic intentions, marketing, and who should teach…

Describes the benefits of including music in early childhood education programs, including teaching children about sounds, the elements of music, and cultural diversity. Provides a list of folk songs suitable for early childhood classrooms to support teachers' use of singing and moving. (EV)

Recognizes the necessity to develop a values curriculum. Advocates using folktales (myths, legends, fables) to teach values to elementary students in a manner nonthreatening to parents. Provides examples of appropriate fables and folktales and their morals. Cites two sources to help teachers guide children in their moral development through folk…

Examines the life and work of a teacher of Japanese traditional dance ("Nihon Buyo") in the United States, K. Fujima. Describes the following: (1) Fujima's educational approach; (2) her students' learning experience; and (3) her contributions to the maintenance of Japanese ideal behavior in the communities in which she teaches. (SLD)

Explores the moral power of stories and histories that give children a common reference point and supply them with good examples. Stories, a way of transmitting values and wisdom, are even more important in a society that has experienced so much disruption in family and community. Includes a 30-item annotated bibliography of books for children and…

This article describes an investigation with a class of seventh graders to determine what impact the study of traditional literature would have on their narrative writing. The classroom teacher emphasized the narrative structure of the traditional literature genre by prompting his students to respond both orally and in writing with their thoughts…