Curated OER
Beliefs in Traditional African Religions
While there are a few aspects of this worksheet missing, it can absolutely be useful and suit your African religions study. A worksheet is split into 3 parts: "before you read," "while you read," and "after you read." There is a chart...
Curated OER
Halloween: Origins and Traditions
Trick or Treat! Celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year with this presentation about the history of Halloween. Learn the stories behind trick-or-treating, jack-o-lanterns, and wearing costumes on October 31. Though the slides don't...
National Endowment for the Humanities
A Story of Epic Proportions: What Makes a Poem an Epic?
Learners analyze the epic poem form and its roots in oral tradition. In this epic poetry lesson, students research the epic hero cycle and recognize the pattern of events and elements. Learners analyze the patterns embedded in the stories.
Curated OER
Fish Stories
Students conduct background research about a Pacific Rim country to develop a premise for a documentary film about the fate of traditional fishing industries in the area.
Curated OER
The Talking Stick
Students examine the lives of the Aboriginal peoples of Saskatchewan. In this talking stick lesson, students discover dance, art, music, and traditions of the First Nations people. Students design and create a talking stick to represent...
Curated OER
Compare Two Versions: Folk Tales, Sequencing, and Summary
Compare two versions of "The Three Little Pigs" (traditional and Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, told from the wolf's point of view). As your 4th graders recount the familiar version of the story, emphasize the...
Curated OER
Is That How it Happened?
Younsters are exposed to classic stories of Arkansas Folklore including The Arkansas Traveller, and Davy Crockett. They discuss if the stories they hear are examples of folklore, or some other kind of story. Then, each puil is required...
University of Arizona
Yoruba Legends: Southern Nigeria
Explore legends and storytelling with your learners. After listening to some legends, pupils work collaboratively and then individually to come up with original legends about animals.
Curated OER
Israel
The class creates and performs a movement performance of the creation story found in the Jewish tradition. This lesson begins with the research of Israeli culture and culminates in a performance of the narrated creation story....
Moanalua Gardens Foundation
The Mystery of Rapa Nui
What caused the collapse of the environment on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)? Who constructed the Moai? What was their purpose? Class members assume the role of investigators and use evidence drawn from field studies, ships' logs, and...
Global Oneness Project
Exploring Cultural Sustainability
Small groups learn about a present-day nomadic culture in Mongolia and the threats to its existence by exploring a photo essay. The resource includes thoughtful discussion and writing prompts about cultural sustainability, the...
New York City Department of Education
Learning about Lunar New Year
Rich in images and information, a teacher's guide to the traditions of Lunar New Year's celebrations in various cultures addresses celebrations of Buddhism and Daoism. It includes background information about the origins of the...
Curated OER
Changing Roles in Africa: Traditional vs. Modern
In 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.
Curated OER
Naming Traditions
In this naming tradition worksheet, middle schoolers pose the 8 short answer questions to an interviewee with regards to the history of their name.
Curated OER
Gluskap Story Skits
Students read and analyze a Gluskap (Algonquin legend) story. Together, they discuss the morals and values these stories demonstrate and in groups, create and perform an imaginative skit based on one of them. They perform their skits for...
Curated OER
Creation Stories
Students explore Native American creation stories. In this Native American lesson, students research Native American culture, social structure, and religious beliefs as they compare and contrast the different elements of Native American...
Curated OER
The Story of Sitting Bull
Students complete activities with the book The Story of Sitting Bull by Jeffrey A. Rucker. In this literature instructional activity, students review new vocabulary and practice finding capital letters. They read the story, answer...
Curated OER
Birth and Early Childhood
Eighth graders read and compare creation stories of different cultures around the world. They identify and define the concept of the cycle of life and collect and analyze birth and childhood folk beliefs and stories in their families...
Curated OER
One Story, Many Tales
Students compare and contrast Cinderella stories. In this folktale lesson, students discuss the attributes of the genre and then read and research different cultural versions of the tale. Students present their findings to their classmates.
Curated OER
Moccasins Are Made for Dancing
Students explore two Native American legends. In this cultural traditions lesson, students read "The Legend of Blue Bonnet," and "The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush." Students then study basic Native American dance movements prior to...
Curated OER
Dia de la Independencia
Students learn about Mexican Independence Day. In this Hispanic Heritage lesson, students learn about holidays in Hispanic countries specifically looking at their days of independence. Students read information about fiestas that occur...
Curated OER
Gather 'Round And Hear My Tale
Students listen to a story about a tragic and amazing Civil War battle. They draw what they imagine the scene looking like and write a reaction paper to what they heard.
Curated OER
Christmas Story Starter
In this story starter worksheet, students complete a story starter where they describe their favorite Christmas tradition celebrated by their family.
University of Northern Iowa
Additional Folklife Information
Use a packet packed with ideas for how to celebrate the traditions of your country, state, community, and pupils's families. Suggestions for how to draw on oral and material traditions, customs, beliefs, music, and stories all find a...