Bringing Folktales to Life WebQuest

 

A WebQuest for Fifth Grade.  Designed by Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Wright   Introduction   Task   Resources    Process    Evaluation  Conclusion   Credits

Introduction

    I remember as a child being excited before going to bed because I knew that meant my father would sit down and read to us. My favorite time was right before Christmas, partly because of the anticipation of Santa Claus, but also for my father's reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas". To this day that story brings me back to a time of excitement, anticipation, and wonder.

    Now I want you to think back. Do you have a favorite story? What kind of story is it? Was it a story from far, far away filled with white knights riding on mighty horses, or was it a mystery that kept you captivated until you discovered who the sinister culprit was. Maybe your favorite story came not from a book, but from someone else's life experiences. Regardless of what the story is try to think about why this story is special to you.

    For our storytelling project we are going to focus on stories that were passed down through many generations called folktales. In fact, many of these stories are so old that they were originally shared orally, only to be written down by people many years later that had heard and enjoyed the story. Through our study of these tales we will learn not only the story being told but also the culture from which the story has come from. So prepare yourself for an adventure through time and across cultures as we enter the
magical world of folktales!

The Task

As historians, literary experts, technology gurus, and storytellers, your task is to BRING ALIVE A FOLKTALE AND TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT A COUNTRY'S CULTURE.

Specifically, you will:

bulletLearn about folktales in general (purpose, themes, character roles, literary techniques).
bulletIndividually search for/find one obscure folktale of interest.
bulletPair up with another student and complete the Folk Literature Response Guide.
bulletForm a group with others and choose a folktale from the same country.
bulletDecide individual roles for each group member and perform a task based on analyzing ONE story from your particular country.
bulletShare information and create a formal presentation.
bulletPresent an obscure folktale by introducing its country's culture, analyzing its literary techniques, and theatrically reading/telling the story with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation.
bulletListen to a professional storyteller.
bulletPerfect your storytelling skills and invite children to our classroom to hear your interpretation of an obscure folktale.

Resources

Handbook for Storytelling - Lots on information and tips for telling your story.

Scholastic Storytelling Workshop with Gerald Fierst. Listen to a master storyteller and perfect your art.

Folktales- What are they?  informative article to supplement folktale study.

Elements of storytelling - Loads of useful information on storytelling techniques.

Whootie the Owl's stories to grow by - click on Folk and Fairy tales from around the world that help kids grow and enjoy a folk tale.

The Process

To accomplish the task, you will complete several individual and group assignments.

  1. Link to at least one of the web sites listed above and read the information it contains about folk tales and storytelling.
  2. As a class, we'll then listen to a folktale presented by a professional storyteller. Afterwards, we will discuss the elements of effective storytelling.
  3. In library class choose a folk tale to sign out.
  4. Read a folk tale. Pair up with another student and complete the Folk Tale Response Guide. Turn in your written response.
  5. Next you'll be assigned to a team of four or five students. During the first meeting of the group, each of you should share your chosen folktale. As a group, decide on ONE unique folktale the whole group will be analyzing for the rest of this project.
  6. Once the group agrees on the story, decide which of the following individual roles is best suited for you.
    LITERARY SCHOLAR- analyzes the story for its literary value.
    HISTORIAN- researches facts about the country of origin.
    TECHNOPRO- creates a PowerPoint presentation of the story itself.
    STORYTELLER- theatrically presents the story to the class.
  7. Based on your individual role, click above to find your assignment.
  8. After all group members have completed the tasks, meet again as a group to share your findings/creations.
  9. In a formal presentation, the group will BRING TO LIFE an obscure folktale by giving the history of the country of origin, presenting the story's literary techniques, and theatrically performing the story with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation.  Decide how to jazz up your story by adding characters (other group members), props, etc.
  10. In Art class your group with create props for your folk tale.
  11. Finally, your storytelling skills will be tested by the most important audience of all- CHILDREN! We'll invite a group of children to class where we'll perform our stories live. Sit back and watch their amazement as they hear about the magic table or the man with no heart. You'll see why such obscure folktales deserve the same recognition as some of our own best-loved folktales.

Evaluation

Your performance will be evaluated both for your individual tasks as well as your group contribution. The following rubric will be used to determine your final score.

Beginning

1

Developing

2

Accomplished

3

Exemplary

4

Score

You completed the Folk Literature Response Guide

You completed some of the Folk Literature Response Guide

You completed most of the Folk Literature Response Guide

You thoroughly completed all of the Folk Literature Response Guide

You showed mastery by completing more than was asked on Folk Literature Response Guide

You have completed an individual task as part of the group assignment.


You did not complete all requirements for your task.

You willingly completed your task and performed the requirements somewhat to the group's satisfaction.

You willingly completed your task and performed the requirements. You worked well with the group and showed a "team" spirit.

You expertly completed your task and performed the requirements. You helped the team by pitching in even when you weren't asked.

Your group formally presented an obscure folktale. (Same grade for each group member)

Your group chose a story and presented it to the class. In doing so, your group included minimum facts on the history and literary value. The storytelling itself was somewhat effective. (quality of PowerPoint included)

Your group chose a story, presented its historical value, analyzed it for literary content, and theatrically performed the story with effectiveness.

(PowerPoint slides worked fairly well)

Your group presented a story including its historical value and its effectiveness as a literary work. The class responded well to your theatrical interpretation and presentation of the story. (PowerPoint slides worked well)

Your group presented a story including expert commentary on its historical value and literary techniques. The class was impressed with your theatrical interpretation, presentation of the story itself. (PowerPoint slides worked very well)

You utilized your time in class, library, and in the computer lab.

You performed some of the tasks without reminded to stay on task.

You performed all of the tasks with minimal reminders to stay on task.

You performed all of the tasks with diligence and maturity.

You enthusiastically performed all of the tasks, contributing greatly to the success of the final presentation.

Conclusion                                                    

Congratulations! Your quest to rediscover long, lost folktales is complete. Perhaps you encountered a particularly humorous tale, an imaginative tale, a tale with a valuable lesson, or a tale with which you identify. Through studying world folk tales thoroughly, you've also discovered the technique behind the enchantment that held you in awe as a child. Finally, you yourself have played the awesome role of teacher, of storyteller for today's child. Through their enthusiastic response, you've experienced the reason why forgotten folk tales deserve the same recognition of the familiar folk tales of your own childhood.

Credit

This webquest was adapted with permission from Finding Forgotten Folktales by Jennifer Johnson, www.catawba.k12.nc.us/webquest/johnson