Setting up the Activity in your Classroom:

The "Myths, Folktales, and Fairy Tales" project is designed so that you may choose any one or all of the three sections to explore depending on available class time and desired teaching focus. Since each section is aimed at a different grade level, modifications of the activities are advised.

Depending on time available, the grade level, and maturity level of each class, activities can be facilitated as independent work, collaborative group work, or whole class instruction. Teachers may use the guide to teach a complete unit or break the content into smaller learning components. Some suggestions are:

• Reading examples of folktales, fairy tales, and myths both printed and online as an individual activity.
• Peer editing written work in small groups.
• Creating and performing skits as a class activity.

If a computer is available for each student, students can work on their own. Hand out the URLs or write them on the board so students will have a guide through the activity.

If you are working in a lab, set up the computers to be on the desired Web site as students walk into class. If there are fewer computers than students, group the students by reading level. Assign each student a role: a "driver" who navigates the web, a timer who keeps the group on task, and a note taker. If there are more than three students per computer, you can add roles like a team leader, a team reporter, etc.

If you are working in a learning station in your classroom, break out your class into different groups. Have rotating groups working on the computer(s), reading printed genre examples, holding smaller group discussions, brainstorming, writing, and peer editing their own folktales, folklore, fairy tales, and myths.

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Stimulate Background Knowledge with these related links:
Web Links

Electronic Text Center: Aesop's Fables
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/AesFabl.html
Read the text of over 300 of Aesop's fables.

Lucas Learning: Make-A-Hero
http://www.lucaslearning.com/myth/flash/myth.html
Pick a gender, background, and outfit in order to make your mythical hero. Print it out and use it as a story starter for your myth, folktale or fairy tale.

American Folklore: State Folktales
http://www.americanfolklore.net/ss.html
Read a folktale from your state or read historical and ethnic folklore

Native American Folklore
http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/loreindx.html
Read dozens of stories from Native American cultures.

Gods, Heroes and Myth
http://www.gods-heros-myth.com/
Read different myths from around the world from Greek and Roman to Native American myths. Includes some crossword puzzles and other games.

Mythweb
http://www.mythweb.com/
Devoted to the heroes, gods and monsters of Greek mythology, this site has an encyclopedia of gods, illustrated stories of heroes, and connections with today's world.

AOL@School search
http://www.aolatschool.com/teachers/index.adp
Search for more ocean life teacher resources and student activities by grade at AOL@School.

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Graphic Organizer:

Story Elements: Setting Stage: Grades 4–8
This Setting Stage (PDF) graphic organizer is a visual prompt for students to illustrate story events. Students use this graphic organizer to write their pieces in the following genres: descriptive writing, myths, and poetry. Source: Graphic Organizers to Use with Any Book by Michelle O'Brien-Palmer

Venn Diagram
The Venn Diagram (PDF) graphic organizer is a way for students to compare and contrast the elements of folktales with myths. Source: Graphic Organizers by Karen Bromley, Linda Irwin-De Vitis, and Marcia Modlo.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader® software, version 4.0 or higher to view and print items marked PDF. Get Adobe Reader® for FREE.

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