Folktales and Storytelling

This topic was quite popular, because the classes consisted of learners from several countries, all whom had a store of cherished folktales to recall from childhood. As caregivers began to relate the contexts in which they learned folktales of their homelands, many noted difficulties in sharing this heritage with their children who now had different experiences as Canadians with little understanding of their parents' native traditions. The folktales or storytelling topic became a vehicle for learners to reacquaint family members with stories from their homeland and invite them to participate.

Again, this topic lends itself a range of speaking, listening, writing and reading activities. As a result of this topic, one group created a class book of folktales called Stories That We Have Brought With Us. Two of these stories have been included at the end of the folktales unit summary.

Goals

• recognize the importance of heritage and transmit it to children
• tell favorite stories in class and take home stories to share with families
• develop oral histories
• write their own stories in correct English in book form

Implementation

• Include a unit on folktales and modern fables with listening exercises, reading circles, discussion, and related activities.
• Read and tell stories in a small group. Follow up by inviting the daycare children to be audience.
• Write favourite folktales or fables from childhood.
• Practice reading out loud, polish pronunciation, and tape stories. Invite a guest storyteller. Have a reciprocal session where learners also share their stories.

Evaluation

• Journal writing - feelings about the unit as it goes along
• all to write and tape a story
• questionnaire to take home - to be filled out by family members, after shared hearing or reading
• class evaluation of the unit