Curated OER
"Spelldown" by Becky Mushko
Learners read Spelldown, by Becky Mushko and consider how it portrays the Appalachian community. They define and discuss vocabulary presented in the story and write a comparison/contrast paper analyzing two of the story's characters. The...
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Language Dialects and the Film "Nell"
Students view the film "Nell" and analyze it for presentation of language pathologies and dialects. They consider the definition of dialect, research phonetic representation of dialects and observe their own communities for speech patterns.
Curated OER
Appalachia: Presidential Physical Fitness Test
Middle schoolers participate in the Presidential Physical Fitness Test. In this personal fitness lesson, students warm up and complete the required push-ups, sit-ups, running, and stretching exercises.
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Playing the Cardboard Dulcimer
Second graders create cardboard dulcimers. They discover that sound is produced by vibrating strings and analyze the pitch produced by changing the sizes and length of the strings of the instrument. They also discuss the history of the...
Curated OER
Hillbilly or Appalachian: Is There A Difference?
High schoolers examine the Appalachian region and its people. They write a journal entry, discuss the definitions of hillbilly and Appalachian, analyze cartoons and jokes, explore various websites, and develop a presentation.
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What's in a Picture Book?
Young scholars analyze Appalachian folktale picture books. They read and analyze various Appalachian picture books, answer discussion questions, and in small groups complete a handout, and write an essay analyzing the text and...
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What About Films?
High schoolers watch and analyze a film of an Appalachian folktale. They define trickster and anti-hero, view and discuss the film, complete a handout, compose an original film review, and debate each character's behavior.
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Stain My Days Blue
Learners read several poems related to the life and culture of the Appalachia region. They are introduced to the poetic forms of simile, alliteration and onomatopoeia and respond to the poems through journal entries and poetry of their own.
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The Songcatcher
Learners read Sharyn McCrumb's and Maggie Greenwald's versions of "Songcatcher" and use them as a springboard to explore the heritage and traditions of Appalachian folk music. They review Internet sources, conduct research and write...
Curated OER
The Ballad of the Sad Café
Students view the film "The Ballad of the Sad Cafe" and analyze it for stereotypes of mountain and hillbilly communities. They identify and discuss Appalachian values represented in the film and write a report on their observations.
Curated OER
Mountain Humor: Folklore
Students complete a series of lesson plans that examine and define Appalachian humor. They complete surveys and examine Appalachian folk tales, picture books, film and jokes for shared characteristics.