Exam News

The EXAM is Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 2:00.

You will be writing. To prepare, be thinking about the objects, activities, shows, transportation, heroes, heroines, villains, news, gossip, etc. that might become the folklore of the future.

You must be present- no exceptions.

We will finish the All About You presentation - 2 1/2 minutes each.
 Submit your notes.

Then, you will write an original "folktale" and post in CANVAS. Instructions will be handed out during the exam. Bring your imagination!

Thank you for a delightful and imaginative semester! Enjoy the holiday break.

 

December 10, 2015 - Thursday

Class Work

1. Folklore and You Presentations
2. Use the chart provided and take notes on each presentation. The chart will act as a grid of sorts to use to answer the questions at the bottom of the second page.

Reminder: The EXAM is next Thursday at 2:00. You will be writing. To prepare, be thinking about the objects, activities, shows, transportation, heroes, heroines, villains, news, gossip, etc. that might become the folklore of the future.

You must be present- no exceptions.

No Class on Tuesday, December 8,2015

We will not be meeting as a class on Tuesday, December 8, 2015. Please use the time to work on the Folklore and You assignment. Check the December 3 post for the instructions.

We will meet on Thursday, December 10, 2015.

December 3, 2015 - Thursday

Class Work

Before we share our "fables" in play form, I want to tell you about the last classwork assignment for the semester. There is a separate activity for the exam. You MUST attend class the day of the exam to earn credit for the course. We have an exam assignment to complete.


Exam date and time:

Thurs.,12/17/2015 from 2:00pm ‐ 3:50pm

Next assignment:
There are many aspects of folklore that we did not have time to explore. Your task is to discover who you are in relation to folklore. Some of these topics relate to topics we studied. Others are new, and as yet, unexplored.

Who are you?
1. What is your birth flower? Is there any symbolism related to the flower and to you?
2. What is your birthstone? Is it symbolic of you in any way?
3. What is your zodiac sign? What does that say about you?
4. In what year were you born? Year of the tiger, the rat, or perhaps the snake? Find out. (Asian) What does this say about you?
5. If you were Native American, you might have an animal that is symbolic of you. (Raven, tiger, wolf, sparrow, etc.) What would you like for your symbolic animal? Explain. http://spirit-animal.net/find_your_magical_power_animal.htm Please note that you are simply exploring this information. Many cultures have religious beliefs in the power of spirit animals. Unless you are part of one of those cultures, you are simply an interested student, not a true believer. Be respectful of the beliefs of others. Also see: http://www.animalspirits.com/index1.html
6. What is your number? http://www.astrology-numerology.com/numerology.html Caution - many sites try to get information from you. You should do your own calculations. Don't give away your information! In this report, just include your final numeral!
7. Remember the color reports? What is your color? What does that color say about you?
8. What is your sign or symbol? According to Signs and Symbols, An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings, a sign is straightforward in its function. It may be written or visual and may dictate direction or a warning.
A symbol is a visual image or sign representing an idea - a deeper symbolism. Think of the American Flag. It is a symbol of freedom, courage, 50 united states, 13 original colonies, etc. Herbs, plants, even insects can be symbols. See also: http://www.ehow.com/info_8361620_difference-between-sign-symbol.html

Here is a place to start: http://www.symbols.com/
 9. Put all of this together in a report about you. How does the information you researched relate to you. Tell us who you are. Include stories from your life to illustrate your discoveries.
 10. You may prepare a PowerPoint presentation, poster, story, song, brochure, collage, or speech all about YOU! These will be presented next Thursday. You will have some class time on Tuesday to work on this.
10 Keep track of your sources. You must submit the visual, the written report, and the Works Cited page on CANVAS. Due: December 10, 2015. No late work will be accepted on this assignment. We are too close to the end.

Now - on with the plays - take a few minutes to ask others to read the parts. Please be enthusiastic and read with expression.

Keep track of the messages of the stories! (We will list on the board . . . scribe please!)

December 1, 2015 - Tuesday

Class Work

1. Finish the reports. Be sure to take quick notes!
2. Aesop's Fables have been charming readers and listeners for over 3000 years. Each ends with a lesson that is as important to people today as the lesson was 3000 years ago. Enter the world of Aesop's Fables.

Homework
http://aesopfables.com/

There are seven sections of fables. Select ONE from each section to read. In a paragraph, respond to the moral of the story. Explain how the moral does or does not apply to people today. Is the moral a message that we in 2015 need to hear and heed?

In addition, select ONE of the seven fables read and turn it into a play. (See sample below.) We will "present" the plays on Thursday.

Sample: The Scorpion and the Frog - http://aesopfables.com/cgi/aesop1.cgi?4&TheScorpionandtheFrog

Fable in play form:

Original

 

The Scorpion and the Frog

 

  A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the

scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The

frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion

says, "Because if I do, I will die too."

 

  The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream,

the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of

paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown,

but has just enough time to gasp "Why?"

 

               Replies the scorpion: "It’s my nature..."

 

 

Fable in Play Form

Setting: Bank of a stream

Characters: Scorpion – you know, the kind that loves to sting!

Frog: - the green slimy sort with webbed feet to use for swimming

*****

Narrator:  Once there was a scorpion that came to the bank of a stream.

Scorpion: Wow – that is a powerful stream of water! How am I supposed to cross this stream? I have neither fins to swim nor wings to fly. I must get to the other side. I hear there are yummy things to eat over there and wonderful scorpions to meet. There is also a stinging contest scheduled for this afternoon. I know I can win that one!

Narrator: Just then, a green spotted frog hopped onto the bank by the scorpion.

Frog:  (Croaking sound)   How are you fine scorpion this wet and wonderful afternoon?

Narrator: Scorpion turned and aimed his tail at Frog. Frog backed up a few hops.

Scorpion: I must get across this stream. You see, kind sir, that I have no webbed feet for swimming. I don’t have wings, so I can’t fly. However, I will pay you richly if you will carry me on your back.

Frog: What? I am not crazy. If I should get close to you, you will sting me, and I will die! I want no appointment with death today.

Scorpion: (Laughs) You are being too silly. If I should sting you, I would have no way to get across the stream as I would die, too! Let me sit on your back as you use your powerful, webbed feet to swim across this water. I have a stinging contest to win this afternoon. I can’t afford to use my power on you!

Frog: I guess that makes sense. Hop on.

Narrator: Scorpion climbs onto Frog’s back and Frog begins to cross the stream. When they are somewhere in the middle Frog feels a horrible sting!

Frog: What the heck was that! Oh no. You must have used your stinger on me. I am having trouble moving my legs. I am paralyzed. We will both drown now! Why did you do that?

Scorpion: (Without emotion) It is my nature. Stinging is what I do.

Narrator: And so, they were both washed away by the swift current of the water.
Moral: Some characters, like people are what they are no matter what.

 

 

November 24, 2015 - Tuesday

Class Work

Let's meet the birds! This was the assignment.
Find out all you can about the real bird.

• Common name
• Geographic location
• Habitat
• Nesting habits
• Color (male & female)
• Size
• Song
• Eggs, incubation period, who sits on the nest?
• Food
• Who feeds the young?
• Fledging information
• Migration?
• Endangered or plentiful - use numbers

B. Locate your bird in story, rhyme, or song. Write down a brief version or sample of the tale. rhyme, or song.

C. Locate your bird in history. Did the ancients revere or fear the bird. Share what you find.

D. In many folktales, the bird is personified. That is, it takes on the characteristics of a human. What human qualities does your bird possess? Is it a problem solver? Is it a thief? Does it run from danger? Is it dangerous or a bully? etc. Describe your bird as you would a human. Give it a name if you wish. In Disney's Pocahontus, the humming bird was named Flit!

E. Be ready to share today! (You are getting good at this!)

C. Put it all together in a PowerPoint, Prezi, or Word Document poster/flyer.

D. Take notes on the other presentations . . . note page provided.

 

Homework:

 

Enjoy family, friends, food, and fun as you celebrate Thanksgiving - an American tradition thanks to the Native Americans, Pilgrims, and Jamestown settlers.

 

Bird stories to read:

1. "The Story of the Smart Parrot" from Puerto Rico - p. 748

2. "Raven Brings the Light" - Alaskan Indian - p. 719

3. Oni and the Great Bird (Africa-Yoruba Tribe) p. 644

4. "Why the Parrot Repeats Man's Words ( Thailand) p. 563

5. The Bul-Bul Bird (Latvia) p. 395

6. The Goose with the Golden Eggs" (Ancient Greece) p. 178

 

Read any four of the stories. In a brief paragraph for each, explain what the bird had to do with the story. Was it the hero or the villain? Did it have special powers? How did people respond to the bird?

 

Post in CANVAS.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

November 19, 2015 - Thursday

Class Work

1. Let's take a few minutes at your tables to share your game-day stories. Read your memory to the others at your table, Or, if you prefer, just tell the story. Nominate one person from your table to share with the class.  Be sure that your story is posted on CANVAS.

2. Birds of a feather . . . Birds play a role in folklore. See: http://www.birds.com/blog/birds-in-folklore-from-around-the-world/


See National Geographic pictures from today. animals.nbationalgeographic.com


Samples:

http://www.story-lovers.com/listsbirdstories.html#birdandbirdssos
 (rhymes, too)
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0150.html

http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/ftr/chap03.htm

Reader's Theatre: http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/019.html

etc.

You will "adopt" a bird much like you adopted a monster. This time, you will draw the name of your adoptee from the box.

This is the task:
A. Find out all you can about the real bird.

• Common name
• Geographic location
• Habitat
• Nesting habits
• Color (male & female)
• Size
• Song
• Eggs, incubation period, who sits on the nest?
• Food
• Who feeds the young?
• Fledging information
• Migration?
• Endangered or plentiful - use numbers

B. Locate your bird in story, rhyme, or song. Write down a brief version or sample of the tale. rhyme, or song.

C. Locate your bird in history. Did the ancients revere or fear the bird. Share what you find.

D. In many folktales, the bird is personified. That is, it takes on the characteristics of a human. What human qualities does your bird possess? Is it a problem solver? Is it a thief? Does it run from danger? Is it dangerous or a bully? etc. Describe your bird as you would a human. Give it a name if you wish. In Disney's Pocahontus, the humming bird was named Flit!

E. Be ready to share on Tuesday. (You are getting good at this!)

C. Put it all together in a PowerPoint, Prezi, or Word Document poster/flyer.

Here is the task:
1. Find out what you can about the real bird.