Write a Hispanic Folktale

Teaching Theme of the Week

from Education World®

After reading and listening to folktales from various Hispanic cultures, students write a new folktale.

Subjects: Language Arts

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8

Objectives
Students will:

• define the word folktale,
• demonstrate creative thinking and writing skills to create a folktale, and
• work together in cooperative groups.

Keywords
folktale, Hispanic, culture

Materials Needed

• teacher-selected library sources of folktales from Hispanic cultures
• printouts from the Web site noted in the Lesson Plan
• paper, pens or pencils

Procedure

1. Discuss the meaning of the word folktale.
    
2. Bring in examples of folktales from Hispanic cultures. One site to start with is Magic Tales of Mexico. Read a few examples to students and discuss the stories.
    
3. Divide the class into small groups. Make printouts from Rabbit Stories. Distribute one story to each group.
    
4. Invite students to read the story aloud to one another. Then challenge students to work together to create a new short folktale, using the examples they heard and read as models.
    
5. Have students read their completed folktales to the class.

Extension: Have students act out their folktales.

Assessment
Evaluate students' folktales and presentations.

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