What is a Fairy Tale

What is a Folk Tale?

Grade Level(s): 2

Time: 25-45 minutes depending on length of Folk Tale and need to repeat or explain.

Standard: 2-1.8 Classify works of fiction (including fables, tall tales, and folktales) and works of nonfiction (including biographies) by characteristics.

Objectives: The student will analyze and classify a literary text and create a working definition of a Folk Tale.  The student will differentiate between Fiction and Non-Fiction, and use graphic organizers to summarize information.

Materials: A short story or folk tale. Promethean board or white board. Paper, pens, pencils, illustration tools.

Anticipatory Set: Teacher will introduce and read a Folk Tale.

Plan:

1.      Read a sample short Folk Tale in whole group.

2.      Instruct students to look for how it is the same as a Tall Tale and how it is different.

3.      Have students help synthesize into a working definition: Talk about what a Folk Tale or folk tale is, and why they were written. Brainstorm about what you think a Folk Tale or folktale is. Write the ideas in a cloud graphic organizer.

4.      Try to encourage some of the following as features:/characteristics:

a.       Fiction

b.      Story teaches a lesson or has a Moral

c.       Story explains why something happens or exists in a certain form

d.      Typically has talking animals or animals with human traits

e.       Has a hero

f.       Has beginning, middle, and end

g.      Has characters or features specific to a culture or place

5.      Lines of Inquiry: How is this story like a Fairy Tale or Tall Tale? Do these stories seem to be real stories? Do you think they could they really happen? Look for evidence that this cannot be a Non-Fiction text.

6.      Use Graphic organizer to classify story. (Venn Diagram with Tall tale).

Assessment: Using Folk Tale definition, have students go to class library and try to find a Folk Tale or tall tale. Students should write the title of the book and 1-5 sentences on why the story is or is not a Folk Tale or tall tale. Oral explanations are accepted. Review individually with students as they select and write.  If 70% of students cannot identify a tall tale or Folk Tale, read one or more of their stories aloud demonstrating the determination process.