Activity
Native American Storytelling
Subject
Social Studies (NYS K-12 Framework Common Core)
Grade Levels
Elementary, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade
Activating Strategy
Have your grandparents or your parents ever told you a story that didn't come from a book? Where do you think that story came from?
Key Vocabulary
Winter, Storytelling, Story, Oral Tradition, Legend, Myth
Storytelling Vocabulary Words.doc
Essential Question
What is the reason for storytelling?
When is the appropriate time for storytelling?
Teaching Strategy
The teacher will talk about when stories are told, why they are told at that time, and that every story has a reason for being told.
The students will read a couple of different stories and then write the reason behind the stories.
Description
In this activity, the class will talk about when stories are told and why they are told.
Website(s)
Iroquois Oral Traditions
Guided Questions
When do you think this story would be told? Why?
Why would someone tell this story?
Summarizing Strategy
The students will write what the reason is behind the stories and why the stories are told at a specific time of year.
Materials & Resources
Books:
- Heroes & Heroines, Monsters & Magic by Joseph Bruchac.
ISBN-10: 0895949954
- Legends of the Iroquois by Tehanetores and Ray Fadden. ISBN-10: 1570670560
- The Girl Who Married the Moon: Tales from Native North America by Joseph Bruchac and Gayle Ross. ISBN-10: 1555915663
Credits
Author: Monica Antone-Watson
Consultant: Lori V. Quigley, Ph.D.
Supported By: National Federation of Just Communities of Western New York
