Curated OER
Storytelling
Students discuss how they know certain aspects about their families and customs. As a class, they discover that life changes over time and stories are only preserved if they are told. They read many different pieces of literature to...
Curated OER
Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas
You can keep this printable idea sheet and use when you're in a tight spot. It contains cross-curricular ideas that span every subject while relating to the African tale, "Anasazi the Spider." Learners will act, write, move, count,...
PBS
Reading Adventure Pack: Folktales
Following a reading and thorough discussion of books—Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti by Gerald McDermott and The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons—scholars complete three activities. First, they use playdough or cookie dough to create...
Curated OER
Anasi Has 8 Long Legs
In this Why Anansi Has 8 Legs story activity, students read the story, answer comprehension, discussion and extension questions and do simple research on spiders.
Curated OER
Storytelling and Culture
Learners examine the cultural tradition of storytelling. In this storytelling instructional activity, students explore stories from 3 different cultures and evaluate the roles that storytelling plays in each of the cultures to pass on...
Curated OER
Retelling the African Folktale Abiyoyo
Act out the African folktale Abiyoyo. Kindergartners listen to the tale and discuss the characters, dressing as their favorite characters in order to retell and perform Abiyoyo using props. They will gain an understanding of...
Curated OER
A Month of Mapping Literature
Explore the world through literature! With push pins to mark where each story came from, learners examine cultural differences, geographical location, and how those elements affect story content. This lesson could use deeper development,...
August House
The Clever Monkey Rides Again
Use a West African folktale to practice several different skills in your first grade classroom. Learners read The Clever Monkey Rides Again and focus on rhyming words, reading comprehension, measurement, art, movement, and word...
Curated OER
The Tell Tale Students
Learners practice summarizing text by retelling what they have read. They read selected, leveled passages and use enthusiastic and createive ways to members of their group. Students complete a journal entry documenting their experience...
Curated OER
Fables and Trickster Tales Around the World
Students analyze fables and trickster tales from various cultural traditions. In this fable analysis instructional activity, students identify the elements of fables and trickster stories. Students read Aesop's fables and Ananse...
Curated OER
Giving Students a Way to Publish Their Writing
Students are inspired to write about what they see using Internet publishing.
Curated OER
Aesop and Ananse: Animal Fables and Trickster Tales
Students complete compare and contrast activities dealing with fables and trickster tales to determine how each uses animals to portray human characteristics, specifically strengths and weaknesses, as well as pass wisdom from one...
Curated OER
The Clever Monkey Rides Again
Students read and explore a West African folktale. In this folktale lesson, students read the book The Clever Monkey Rides Again and examine West African proverbs. There are several related multi-subject extensions on this lesson which...
Curated OER
African Art is Alive: Drum, Dance, Storytelling....
Pupils investigate and experience African culture through various art forms. Students explore the physical and political geographies of Africa through mapping activities. Pupils, in groups, prepare presentations about different aspects...
Curated OER
Making Cultural Connections
Students explore cultures through storytelling. They read African folktales. Students discuss characteristics of folktales. They research and write a folktale that includes an animal. Additional cross curriculum activities are included.
Curated OER
The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind
Students investigate the relationship between the sun and wind. For this reading comprehension lesson, students read the book The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind, and observe the effect of the Sun and wind on our planet....
Curated OER
Establishing a Point of View in Narratives
Fourth graders investigate the concept and take the opportunity to both identify and to construct point of view in narratives. Additionally, 4th graders practice identifying and sequencing main events.
Curated OER
The Well of Truth
Students read and explore an Egyptian folktale. In this folktale lesson, students read the book The Well of Truth and discuss geographical facts about Egypt. Students complete several reading comprehension activities including a...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Pourquoi Stories
This video segment from Jakers! features a storyteller who tells a Pourquoi story about Anansi, the spider, a popular character in African folklore.
PBS
Pbs: A World of Stories: Anansi and the Hat Shaking Dance
Donna Washington tells a traditional West African story about Anansi the spider. The story explains why spiders don't have hair.
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: Ela Unit: Grade 1: Spiders
First graders read several Anansi, or Spider, stories, which present the character as both a trickster and a helper. They explore character motivation and how animals interact with other animals and adapt to their living conditions....
Encyclopedia Mythica
Encyclopedia Mythica: African Mythology
From Encyclopedia Mythica, this page lists the names of more than a hundred characters, places, items, gods, and goddesses associated with African mythology. Click on an item to read more information about it.
Other
Clarity Connect: African Folktales
Links more than a hundred African folktales from Nigeria, South Africa, Zulu, West Africa, and more.