S.E. Schlosser
American Folklore: Tall Tales
This site provides brief tall tales from many different states. The site also provides what they all have in common.
HotChalk
Hot Chalk: Lesson Plans Page: Native American Legends
A lesson plan for teaching Native American Legends. Well-designed, and applicable to any legend which you might choose to read.
S.E. Schlosser
American Folklore: Pecos Bill and Slue Foot Sue
The tall tale of Pecos Bill and Slue-foot Sue are retold by S.E. Schlosser.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: The Kiowa Collection
Collection contains images and transcripts of the papers of Hugh Lenox Scott, a soldier in Kiowa territory in 1892. He tells of the Kiowa nation, their history, culture and clashes with whites like Kit Carson.
University of South Florida
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Lit2 Go: George Bird Grinnell: Dun Horse
The text of a Pawnee folk tale, as written by George Bird Grinnell, who was an ornithologist who also had a deep interest in Native American culture. The text can be read online or downloaded in MP3 or PDF format. In addition, the story...
Other
Canku Ota: Newsletter Celebrating Native America
Children of all ages will enjoy reading these authentic Native American legends. Be sure to click on "kids pages" to read other stories written by students!
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Community and the Folk, Making of African American Identity: V. 3
A story that examines African American community in a rural setting. Zora Neale Hurston's (1891-1960) brief tale "Spunk" is provided within this resources and documents the expressions of southern black "folk."
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Lesson Plan: Writing Folktales
With this lesson plan, learners examine the American tradition of folk tales and tall tales, then write and illustrate their own original tale. Provides links to more information, an assessment rubric, extension ideas, and a list of...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Davy Crockett (In Spanish)
Read about one of the most interesting early Americans. From Tennessee to Congress to the Alamo, find out what drove this extraordinary man.
S.E. Schlosser
American Folklore: Pecos Bill Rides a Tornado
This site has the story of Pecos Bill. It explains how he rides a tornado like a bucking bronco and when he fell off the ground sank below sea level and created the Death Valley.
Other
Paul Bunyan: The Giant Lumberjack
This online version of the tall tale of Paul Bunyan features illustrations of this American folk hero.
S.E. Schlosser
American Folklore: John Henry: The Steel Driving Man
At this site read about John Henry, the steel-drivin' man who uses two hand-held hammers to dig a tunnel faster than a steam drill!
Wisconsin Historical Society
[Archived Content]wisconsin Historical Society: Paul Bunyan
Many legends live on in Wisconsin (and elsewhere) about Paul Bunyan, a giant of a lumberjack and a folk hero. This article describes how the legends have survived and grown.
Aaron Shepherd
Aaron's Storybook: Folktales
Many folktale resources are offered here. Texts of stories, "extras" including music and audio files, posters and background information can be found for some stories.
Broward Education Foundation
Broward Education Foundation: The Arts and Crafts of Storytelling [Pdf]
In the Arts and Crafts of Storytelling, American folk heroes come to life, help students expand their vocabulary and increase knowledge of figurative language. Students identify figurative language like similes, idioms and hyperboles....
Other
Mad River Theater Works: The Ballad of John Henry [Pdf]
Scroll down this study guide to find the lyrics to the Ballad of John Henry, which was collected from individuals in the West Virginia mountains in the 1920's. Discusses the different versions of the song and the history behind it.
Other
Learning Activities: Paul Bunyan and His Blue Ox
Several suggested activities for engaging small children in the American folk tale of Paul Bunyan. The lesson plan and story include discussion, an online jigsaw puzzle, and coloring pages.
ibiblio
Ibiblio: John Henry: The Steel Driving Man
This ibiblio.org site deeply explores the truth behind the legend of John Henry. Content includes interviews with numerous scholars who take a look at how this legend may have been created. Scholars also analyze historical facts versus...
Curated OER
John Henry Statue
Exploring the icons of American culture, NPR presents a piece on John Henry, railroad worker of the late 1800s whose "Tale has become the stuff of myth." See the art inspired by this "Steel-drivin' man," and hear "John Henry," the...
Curated OER
John Henry Building a Railroad
Exploring the icons of American culture, NPR presents a piece on John Henry, railroad worker of the late 1800s whose "Tale has become the stuff of myth." See the art inspired by this "Steel-drivin' man," and hear "John Henry," the...
Curated OER
John Henry as Defense Worker
Exploring the icons of American culture, NPR presents a piece on John Henry, railroad worker of the late 1800s whose "Tale has become the stuff of myth." See the art inspired by this "Steel-drivin' man," and hear "John Henry," the...
Curated OER
Carving of John Henry
Exploring the icons of American culture, NPR presents a piece on John Henry, railroad worker of the late 1800s whose "Tale has become the stuff of myth." See the art inspired by this "Steel-drivin' man," and hear "John Henry," the...