September 11, 2014

The following was posted on Facebook by some of my relatives. Take a moment today to remember 9/11/01.At this moment 13 year ago, millions of Americans went to bed quietly with no thought that the next morning their world would change forever.

That night hundreds packed flight bags they would not live to open. Thousands slept with loved ones for the last time.

One never knows what a new day has in store.

Let us live each day to the fullest and never miss a chance to let those dearest to us know of our love for them.

So, tonight, if you have people  in your life whom you love, tell them . . .



Class Work

1. What did you discover about wolves?
2. Back to Peter and the Wolf - discussion to follow.
Think back to what we learned about wolves . Is the wolf in Peter and the Wolf anything like the real creature?
 3. What is the message in the story? What can we, the viewers, learn about human nature from the story? What is your "take-away?" What do you think? Would you like the children you know to see the movie or listen to the music? Explain. (After table discussion, this will be an in-class writing exercise. Please post in Canvas. This is a group discussion, but it is an individual writing exercise. Please use complete sentences and paragraphs. You have up to 15 minutes to complete the work.) (20 pts.)

3. The Three Little Pigs

• Story time: http://homepages.uni-paderborn.de/odenbach/wwwmath/pigs/pig3.html
• Group Activity - the story grows ...
• You will be getting into one of three groups. No more than 10 people may be in any one group.
• Count off by 2s.
• Even #s will be responsible for the first half of the story
• Odd #s will be responsible for the last half of the story.
• Read through the story. Figure out how to get EVERYBODY in your sub-group to take part in a reading for the class.
• The ultimate goal is to entertain us with a reading. Use vocal inflection. Music/singing is OK. Beat out a rhythm. Chant. Be creative! Create some sort of sound-effect for each character. (Remember Peter and the Wolf?)

3. Three groups . . . three little ____________________.

Homework
Conduct research about the color RED. Consult at least two sources.
1. What is important about RED?
2. Does it symbolize anything?
3. Did any important people wear or use RED?
4. Did any artists feature RED in any of their works?
5. What books, songs, stories, movies, plays, or television shows feature RED in the title?
6. How is RED created?
7. What is usually associated with RED? List 10.
8. List your sources. Friends count as sources.
This is worth 25 points. Post in CANVAS.
Do NOT use wikipedia as one of your sources. It is OK to start there, but jump from there to more reliable sources.

September 9, 2014 - Tuesday

This was the homework:
HomeworkSelect a number in class today. Three is not available.

Create a 3-5 slide PowerPoint and share what you learned about the number. We will present in class on Tuesday. Post the PowerPoint in CANVAS. Include one additional slide that gives credit to your sources. (MLA Format - please.)
Class Work

1. Today we will share the PowerPoint presentations. Your job as a listener is to take notes on each number. Submit your notes at the end of class. (45 possible points for the notes . . . 3 points per presentation)


2. Now, a bit more about wolves . . . What do you know about wolves? What do you think you know about wolves?

Homework:
Research WOLVES. Check our the life and times and locals of wolves. Let's see if we can figure out where these crazy stories originated!

Read at least one  article and list the Top 10 things to know about wolves. Give credit to your sources. MLA Style please.

(20 Pts.  on Canvas)

3. Peter and the Wolf an Academy Award Winner of the 2007 Short Animated Film award. Watch . . . note how this wolf relates to what you think you already know about wolves.

September 4, 2014

This was the homework!
1. Go outside. Find something in nature. Create an original tale of how ______________ came to be. You must have 3-5 paragraphs. Post the story in CANVAS. Due Thursday. We will share. A. Groups of no more than five-
B. Take turns reading your stories.
C. Select one reader from each group to share with the class. This should be someone who has not yet shared in front of the class.

2. In addition, locate two additional "animal" folktales. These may come from the book or from an Internet site or from another book.  Summarize each story. Get each summary down to one or two paragraphs. Was there a message in the tale? Explain in another paragraph.
Total: 4-6 paragraphs - 2-3 per story. Post n CANVAS.

Discussion:W hat animals were popular? Did any need help? Were there any troublemakers in the group? Were there any helpers? What about magic - was there any? Was there a lesson to be learned?


Sample site: http://www.felid.org/activities/page_103.htm

Today - Stories with three ________________.
Make a list of things associated with the number THREE!
Three Little Pigs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPs6_0g8RHA
Goldilocks and the Three Bears: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atipwymJk5I
Three Blind Mice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfaChKSV8kg

Three Billy Goats Gruff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JXPPi2Piaw

Why three________________? Is there anything special about the #3? http://greatdreams.com/three/three.htm
What do these stories have in common?
What messages are given or lessons to be learned?

Homework
Select a number in class today. Three is not available.

Create a 3-5 slide PowerPoint and share what you learned about the number. We will present in class on Tuesday. Post the PowerPoint in CANVAS. Include one additional slide that gives credit to your sources. (MLA Format - please.)

Tueseday, September 2, 1014

Class Work

1. So, just how was the world created?
2. What commonalities did you locate?
3. What were the differences?
4. Share your C/C charts with others at your table.

Think about it . . . why was/is it important for people to have a story about the creation of the planet? Animals? Plants? Stars? Moon? People?

Do we differ from ancient people? Do we have a need to know?

***********************************************************   
Did you ever wonder why rattle snakes rattle or why leopards have spots or why grasshoppers hop? Ancient people had the answers to these and other questions. Today we will read the following:        

The Raven Brings Light (Alaskan Indian) p. 719
The Sedna Legend ( Eskimo) p. 721
Why the Bear is Stumpy-Tailed (Norway) p. 353
Why the Sea is Salt (Norway) p. 354

Why the sun shines during the day and the moon comes out at night: https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AtdMo9F8x2iBSdAsZk.Zo9abvZx4;_ylc=X1MDMjAyMzUzODA3NQRfcgMyBGJjawNkaTZxNDJwOXRvNGE2JTI2YiUzRDQlMjZkJTNEQ19WWS5waHBZRUlDM0ZJdGpiMHdZajR2T0xtOG5WeGV1V2RDLmctLSUyNnMlM0RmcyUyNmklM0Q3YUszZERzTWhTMW1FMGVCdGxYNARncHJpZANBRVBhTUYxelEzcTA2V2R5QzVTMVBBBG10ZXN0aWQDbnVsbARuX3N1Z2cDMTAEb3JpZ2luA3d3dy55YWhvby5jb20EcG9zAzMEcHFzdHIDV2h5IHRoZSBzdW4gBHBxc3RybAMxMgRxc3RybAMyNgRxdWVyeQN3aHkgdGhlIHN1biBsb3ZlcyB0aGUgbW9vbgR0X3N0bXADMTQwOTY4MjQxOTczMwR2dGVzdGlkA251bGw-?gprid=AEPaMF1zQ3q06WdyC5S1PA&fr2=sa-gp-www.yahoo.com&p=why+the+sun+loves+the+moon&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-409

How leopards got their spots: http://www.sff.net/people/karawynn/justso/leopard.htp

How rainbows were made: http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2012/10/how_the_rainbow_was_made.html

How we got the sun:
http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2012/07/ten_red_crows.html

Get with a partner. Read or watch your assigned tale. Get ready to tell us the story. Think about it. Is there any science in the story, or is it just fantasy?

***********************************************
Homework
1. Go outside. Find something in nature. Create an original tale of how ______________ came to be. You must have 3-5 paragraphs. Post the story in CANVAS. Due Thursday. We will share.

2. In addition, locate two additional "animal" folktales. These may come from the book or from an Internet site or from another book.  Summarize each story. Get each summary down to one or two paragraphs. Was there a message in the tale? Explain in another paragraph.
Total: 4-6 paragraphs - 2-3 per story. Post n CANVAS.

Sample site: http://www.felid.org/activities/page_103.htm

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Class Work

Leftovers!
What is story telling? Some experts share their views: http://www.aaronshep.com/storytelling/quotes.html (Take a slip - read the quotation - tell if you agree with the "expert" and explain your response. This is an oral activity!)

 How does one tell a good story?

video : http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AsV5M5fHv6NgYDXxUG3EqdibvZx4?p=how+to+tell+a+story&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-900

• http://www.ehow.com/how_2063128_tell-story.html
• http://www.wikihow.com/Tell-a-Story
• http://www.aaronshep.com/storytelling/Tips1.html

New Stuff

Time to share a story at your table. You may have a note or two, but you may not read from a book. That is an activity for another day. Be brave. HAVE FUN!

Now, elect one story teller from your table to share with the class.
For homework, you were asked to read the introduction in Best-Loved Folktales and make a bulleted list of 15 important points. Please take the list, talk to the person across the table, and share lists. Did you agree on the most important points?




**********************************************************

Now, on with the show!

1. Warm-ups: Facial expressions, motions, voice, eye contact.
2. You will join a group of 5, you are the 5th.
3. Write your name on the rubric. Hand the rubric to another in the group to evaluate you as a story teller.

• 5=Fantastic!
• 1 = Keep trying.

4. Tell your story to the group. The group will evaluate your presentation. (Do not fear, you have a voice in the evaluation!)

5. Each group needs to select one story teller to present to the class. Do not worry if you are not selected; you will have a chance in the future, I promise!

*****************************************************************



Definition of summary: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/summary

Steps to use when writing a summary:

1. Read the article.
2. Without looking at the article, list the most important things you remember about the things you read.
3. Read the article again.
4. Add to your list of important things.
5. Turn your list into a paragraph or two. Make it conversational.
6. Be sure to give credit to your original source. Include the URL. Look for an author and date.

Creation stories - Compare and Contrast

Homework:  Watch two creation myths as told on YouTube. Here are some suggestions. Others are available. Feel free to select different cultures.

Site of 40 creation myths:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koxp_q46z0Q&list=PLDFB99FC5A036A7CD

Inca Creation Myth:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9ZZFCIncA0&index=3&list=PL32257ECAC08445A3
 

Egyption Creation Myth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTy49JlgJZE

Greek Creation Myth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxoRWD-RwtU

Aboriginal Creation Myth – Australia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koxp_q46z0Q

Hindu Creation Myth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9yWwFWpbRo

Three Native American Creation Myths: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3XoYZgvEH8

Maori Creation Myth in Sand Art Presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDzz_eDq3LE

Grandmother Spider Creation Myth: (A story teller tells this one – good use of voice and facial expression.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNBNGL9uLCI

2. Complete a comparison/contrast chart showing the similarities and differences between the two stories.

Sample comparison/contrast charts: http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-900&va=comparison+and+contrast+charts

Post your chart in CANVAS.

First Day of Class.

Favorite Stories and YOU!

Welcome to World Folklore!

Class Work

1. Getting to know you -
http://www.icebreakers.ws/small-group/connecting-stories.html
 

• When you were a child, what was your favorite story?
• Why did you like the story? Do you still like the tale? Elaborate.
• If you have children or plan to have children, would you share that story with them? Why or why not?
• What lessons did the characters learn in the story?

2. Syllabus overview - see CANVAS.

2. Partner challenge: Get with someone who shares your birth month. Together create of list of folktales you know. Prizes will be awarded for the longest list!

3. As you review your list of tales, what would you say would be the qualities of folktales? This is the beginning of your personal definition of folktales. Hold onto to this as you will need it for a homework assignment.

4. Let's look at some basics of story telling:

What is story telling? Some experts share their views: http://www.aaronshep.com/storytelling/quotes.html (Take a slip - read the quotation - tell if you agree with the "expert" and explain your response. This is an oral activity!)

 How does one tell a good story?

video : http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AsV5M5fHv6NgYDXxUG3EqdibvZx4?p=how+to+tell+a+story&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-900

• http://www.ehow.com/how_2063128_tell-story.html
• http://www.wikihow.com/Tell-a-Story
• http://www.aaronshep.com/storytelling/Tips1.html

Homework:

1. Find a folktale to share with a group of five or six on Thursday. You must be able to tell the story in 1-2 minutes. You might consider sharing that favorite tale from childhood! Use facial expressions. Use arm movements. Use vocal inflection. Make eye contact. Practice, practice, practice before you come to class. Amaze and engage your fellow story tellers! Each group will "elect" one story teller to share with the entire class. (25 point activity)

2. Read the Introduction in Best-Loved Folktales of the World. Complete the following in 15 bulleted points:

Folktales and fairy tales are: ...
(List the 15 most important points from the Introduction.)

 Bring the list to class on Thursday. (Post on CANVAS.)

Update your photo on CANVAS! Selfies are fine.

Exam Day!

Welcome to the last day of class.

First, let's finish the wedding presentations. If you have not presented, please volunteer. I do not want to take the time to search for you! Thanks.

Look at Canvas. I sent notes to some of you because your papers or PowerPoint presentations would not open in the format you used. Try saving the PowerPoints in an older version and resubmitting or sending them via attachment to me in Canvas.

Now, on with the exam!

The Exam Activity

Folklore is defined as the traditional beliefs, practices, customs, stories, jokes, and songs (etc.) of a people, handed down orally or behaviorally from individual to individuals. Keep this definition in mind as you work on the exam activity.

Hop into a time machine and travel 1,000 years to the future. The location is up to you. As a visitor to this time and place, you have been asked to tell a story of the 20^th or 21^st century. Today’s facts will become tomorrow’s folklore.  

What story will you select?  Take a look at the types of folktales from the list at the link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aarne%E2%80%93Thompson_classification_system#Formula_Tales  

Look through the titles in your Folklore text to gather ideas from the past for your story set in the future.

Think about it. Will you talk about technology and how “magical” it was? Perhaps you will discuss animals and the pets we kept. A villain from the current news might become the ogre of our time and make the perfect demon in your tale. Are there any lessons that were or should have been learned by the young in our society? What about transportation? Cinderella traveled in a coach made out of a pumpkin. Are our cars, trains, or planes any less amazing? Do we practice any traditions that might serve as the basis of your tale? Current media presents many “Prince Charmings and Princesses.”

The content is up to you. However, you must tell a story. That means you have a 20^th or 21^st century setting as well as characters, plot, conflict, resolution, and message.

Take about five minutes to jot down some possible ideas and discuss your thoughts with others at your table or in the room. Really talk! Share suggestions. Take notes.

You now have the next 60 minutes to write the folktale/story you would share with the people in the 31^st century.

I suggest that you compose in WORD and then copy/paste into CANVAS. E-mail the document to yourself or save it on a jump-drive just in case CANVAS gets crazy!

Check with me after you submit your story to make sure that Canvas gave it to me!

Grades should post tomorrow afternoon. If not, look for them Monday morning.

Have a wonderful holiday. I wish you well in the future. It has been a pleasure to work with you this semester.