Week 7-2 Flashcards
are stories that recount and explain the origins of the world and the phenomena of nature. They are sometimes referred to as creation stories. The characters in these stories are mainly gods and goddesses, with occasional mention of humans, and the setting is high above earth in the home of the gods.
Myths
are long stories of human adventure and heroism recounted in many episodes, sometimes in verse. Epics are grounded in mythology, and their characters can be both human and divine
Ex. Ulysses in the Odyssey, Beowulf, and Roland in The Song of Roland
Epics
are stories based on either real or supposedly real individuals and their marvelous deeds. Legendary characters such as King Arthur and Robin Hood and legendary settings such as Camelot are a tantalizing mix of realism and fantasy
Legends and Tall Tales
are stories that grew out of the lives and imaginations of the people, or folk. Folktales have always been a favorite for children from age 3 and up. Folktales vary in content as to their original intended audiences. Long ago, the nobility and their courtiers heard stories of the heroism, valor, and benevolence of people like themselves—the ruling classes.
Folktales
revolves around a character’s incredibly stupid and funny mistakes. These tales are also known as noodleheads, sillies, drolls, and numbskulls. They have endured, no doubt, for their comic appeal and the guaranteed laughter they evoke. Some famous noodleheads are the Norwegian husband who kept house (and nearly demolished it) and Clever Elsie, who was so addle-brained that she got herself confused with someone else and was never heard from again.
Humorous
uses repetition, accumulation, and rhythm to make an entertaining story out of the barest of plots. Because of its simplicity, rhythm, and humor, the cumulative tale has special appeal to 3- to 5-year olds. “The Gingerbread Man,” with its runaway cookie and growing host of pursuers, is a good example of this kind of tale.
Cumulative
explain phenomena of nature as in “Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky. ” The word pourquoi is French for why, and these tales can be understood as explanations for the many “why” questions asked by early humans. The strong connection between these tales and myths is obvious, which is why some folklorists identify pourquoi tales as the simplest myths.
Pourquoi
feature talking animals and overstated action. Human characters sometimes occur. Young children accept and enjoy these talking animals, and older children can appreciate that the animals symbolize humans. “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” is a good example.
Beast
also known as wonder tales or fairy tales, contain elements of magic or enchantment in characters, plots, or settings. Fairies, elves, pixies, brownies, witches, magicians, genies, and fairy godparents are pivotal characters in these stories, and they use magic objects or words to weave their enchantments. Talking mirrors, hundred-year naps, glass palaces, enchanted forests, thumb-sized heroines, and magic kisses are the stuff of magic tales, such as “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp.”
Magic
tales are those whose characters, plot, and setting could conceivably have occurred. There is no magic in these tales, and any exaggeration is limited to the possible. Only a few realistic tales exist. Dick Whittington and His Cat is a good example.
Realistic
is a simple story that incorporates characters—typically animals—whose actions teach a moral lesson or universal truth. Often, the moral is stated at the end of the story. Fables appeal to adults as well as to children, for the best of these stories are both simple and wise.
Fables
Stories based on religious writings or taken intact from religious manuscripts are considered to be religious stories. These stories may recount milestones in the development of a religion and its leadership, or they may present a piece of religious doctrine in narrative form. Stories of the latter sort are usually called parables. Scholars of religion, language, and mythology have found a definite thread of continuity from myth and folk narrative to early religious thinking and writing.
Religious Stories
Outline the story content in terms of the plot. Many storytellers note the title and source of the tale, the characters’ names and story events, and any other information that may be helpful on a 3” × 5” card to consult quickly just before telling a story. Another option is to tape yourself telling stories and use them to refresh your memory for later retellings.
Preparation for telling
Given that traditional literature is rooted in oral tradition, telling these stories in classrooms provides an effective and powerful means for engaging children with this literature. Children are attentive listeners when their teachers tell stories and quickly begin telling stories themselves. By bringing stories to life through personal expression and interpretation, storytellers establish a close communication with their audience.
Storytelling in the Classroom
Tell the story aloud to yourself again and again. Do not memorize the story, but keep in mind the characters and sequence of main story events. Each time you tell the story, it will change a bit, becoming more and more your own story as you include personal touches. Some storytellers use simple props (a hat, a stick-on mustache, or a stuffed toy) or more elaborate ones (a mask, a puppet, or a costume).
Practice
