Designed to develop an appreciation of folktales as a literary type and a love for the oral tradition, this unit on the telling of folktales from the oral tradition, with an emphasis on Appalachian tales, can be adapted for use as an introduction to the study of the short story; to begin a study of regional writers or regional literature; to…

Twenty stories and essays suitable for intermediate and secondary grades illustrate the enduring spirit of Mexican American life, legend, custom, and culture. The Spanish language book describes the ceremonies of baptism, engagement, marriage, and the "quinceanera" (a girl's 15th birthday). Folklore (magic spells, superstitions, "cuentos" or…

Describes seven library media activities: "Mathematics: What's After the Decimal Point?"; "Music: Melody"; "Physical Education: Rope Climbing in Past and Present Jobs"; "Reading/Language Arts: Fantasy Themes"; "Re-Telling African Folktales"; "Social Studies: Famous People of the Westward…

Making repeated use of a traditional tale can offer various kinds of language practice. Many new teachers use a reading passage just once, investing considerable time in the explanation of the vocabulary needed to understand it, and then rush on to something new. Actually, the best potentialities of the material are still to be tapped, through…

This briefly annotated bibliography selectively lists nearly 300 books either written by American Indians or related to the authors of the books by Indians, and which are considered to represent the American Indian point of view. The works listed cover the different phases of culture from Pre-Columbian society through the modern Indian. To…

This collection of writings was compiled over a 19-year period (1972-91) by the last writer and one of the last storytellers of the Kenai dialect of Dena'ina (Tanaina) language of Cook Inlet, Alaska. Peter Kalifornsky is a literary artist and scholar born in 1911. The 147 writings are organized in eight chapters, with a prelude containing two…

This paper describes the use of folktales in the classroom, noting the instructional benefits, challenges and potential problems, and techniques for presenting and expanding on the stories. Of nine folktales told during the school year, five are told in English and four in Spanish, and most are closely tied to the social studies curriculum. Four…