Folktales and Myths

Most students are familiar with regional folktales and popular mythology. Because this genre has a predictable structure, once students have analyzed a few, they often create fabulous original folktales and myths. Many enjoy sharing their tales with their classmates for a fun way to practice public speaking skills. Others might want to volunteer to go together as a group to tell their original tales at an elementary school, children's home or nursing home.

Here are some tips to get you started:

#1 Explain the purposes of mythmaking:
Myths most likely began when ancient cultures observed their natural world and tried to make sense of what they experienced. Myths were shared among a group to pass on values and ethics of the society. Myths were meant to entertain, but they also inspire and teach their audiences.

MYTHS: A) explain how things came to be as they are
B) enhance religious or social rituals and ceremonies
C) unify the group and to pass on the group's culture
D) define and to teach values
E) entertain

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#2 Analyze the structure of the myth:
Try dividing the class into groups of equivalent number. Have enough pourquoi [tales that explain] stories for each group to have one story. Type or neatly write the story onto paper and cut one copy of each story into 5 or 6 sections [dividing at paragraphs] . Put the parts of the story in a mized-up order in an envelope. Give each group an envelope and 5-8 minutes to arrange the story into the correct sequence; check their completed arrangement with your master copy.

Give students 4-6 minutes to "learn" their story. Emphasize to the group that they will not be allowed to use the script. This technique forces the students to look at the storyline and structure and to ignore non-essential details. At the end of the study time, have students in each group count off. For example, if you have four groups of four, members of each group will be #1, #2, #3, and #4. Then, reorganize the groups by numbers [all the #1's, etc.] . Have each student tell their story without the original. Each student gets to hear all of the stories.

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Discuss:
After hearing all of the pourquoi stories, ask students what each culture must value based on the selections presented.

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OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
* Write an original myth to explain a natural occurence

* Research myths of a group or folktales of a region and prepare a report

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