Folktales in Literature Journals
by Dana Leger, dleger@acadia.k12.la.us

Content Area(s)
English/Language Arts

Grade Level(s)
5, 

Overview
This lesson was written to match the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum--ELA--5th Grade--Unit 4--Act. 1 and 2. Students will “quick write” using the handheld and the software called “LiteNotes”, a journal type software, what they remember about favorite folktales and share their journals with the class. Students will then read a variety of folktales and compose multi-paragraph responses in their journals.

Software
FlingIt by GoKnow
LiteNotes
Memo Pad
Inspiration

Technology
Websites with folktales to download using FlingIt
www.teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/
www.pitara.com/talespin/folktales.asp
www.canteach.ca/elementary/africa.html

Objectives
1. Students will quick write in LiteNotes what they remember about favorite folktales.
2. Students will compose multi-paragraph responses to the stories in their journals.
3. Students will compare two folktales after listening to them read aloud in groups.
4. Students will use Inspiration to map out major concepts and events to connect links between the two shared tales.

Procedures
Introductory activity:
Students will journal using LiteNotes to quick write about favorite folktales that they remember and then share with the class.

1. The teacher will explain that a folktale is a general term for numerous varieties of traditional narrative. Stories that have been retold within a culture for generations and are well-know through repeated storytelling.
Daily for a week.
2. The students will read or be read several examples from this genre.
3. Students will compose multi-paragraph responses to the stories using their handheld. Journal entries will be used to keep responses for creative writing, taking notes, and to use as a resource for additional activities.

4. The teacher will read a folktale and map the first map modeling the major concepts of the a folktale.
5. The students will read two folktales on their handheld using the software FlingIt.
6. Working in groups. Students will use Inspiration software to map out major concepts and events to connect links visually between the two shared tales. The teacher facilitates the groups.
7. The students will use completed story maps to identify similarities and differences between the two folktales, to explain how if any author bias or perspective is reflected.

Other Supporting Material

Submitted on: 7/12/2005 6:26:28 PM