Have your class explore Buddhist Jataka Tales to compare and contrast them to European fables. After defining fables, Jataka tales, and the elements of each, learners identify themes and patterns for both types of narratives and the...

Young scholars explore the nuances of Confucianism. For this Korean society lesson, students complete jigsaw reading assignments on the Hyo. Young scholars compare their own reverence for parents to that described in the pieces about Korea.

Students read African folk tales to learn about story elements and writing techniques. In this writing and reading skills lesson, students listen and retell African folk tales about Anansi the spider. Students complete four lessons to...

Students investigate Chinese culture by reading their folk tales.  In this creative writing lesson, students practice identifying the different elements in a folk tale and examine the related vocabulary.  Students organize...

In this African literature worksheet, students read "The Gentleman and the Jungle," and then respond to 6 short answers questions about the African folk tale.

First graders read The Magic Apple and complete interdisciplinary activities related to the book.  In this folktale lesson, 1st graders answer comprehension questions, recognize and record short /i/  sound words and...

Students break into groups of 4 or 5 and choose an option to demonstrate a different cultural perspective in a fairy tale or other folklore that they are familiar. Possible choices are: PowerPoint presentation, video, digital...

For this African culture worksheet, students read a selection about the role of tradition on modern Africa and then respond to 7 short answer questions. Students also complete a Venn diagram.

Young scholars examine Nathaniel Hawthorne's style of humor and compare it to other humorists. They discuss the purpose of literary humor and determine how it develops characters and plots in stories. They analyze the use of different...

Students examine the types of celebrations around the world. They create pictures of animals speaking another language than their own and draw flags of countries around the world. They also retell a folktale to their classmates.

Known throughout the Islamic world, Nasreddin tales feature a wise man with a biting wit and more than one trick or lesson up his sleeve. Learn about him on this site and read a selection of short tales, anecdotes, and jokes.