|
Nov. 1, 2000
Fairy Tales and Folklore for Children
By Susan Brooks-Young
Magicians, fairies, happily-ever-after endings--fairy tales and folklore have fascinated adults and children alike for centuries. Originally told to make a point with adult listeners, these stories have become foundation stones of the cultures they represent, and teach not only the values and mores of a society, but also are windows for understanding the peoples who created them. Web sites on folklore and fairy tales abound for adult audiences, but appropriate places for children to use are more difficult to find. The following Web sites are intended for children and thus are included in this Web Tour. Tales to read and listen to represent cultures from around the world. In most cases, the sites also provides activities for students to complete. The sites offer wonderful opportunities for students to read and learn about different cultures through the world of fantasy.
Hiyah.com Library
If you want a site where primary and elementary students can read along with narrated versions of tales, you'll want to start here. Currently nine stories fall into the fairy tale category, and children will be familiar with most of them, including Beauty and the Beast, The Tin Soldier, and The Three Pigs. The narration is clear and well paced, and the stories are illustrated as well. Shockwave, a free download, is required to use this site.
SurLaLune Fairy Tale Pages
Middle and high school students will enjoy exploring this site. Tales are categorized by themes such as Cinderella stories or Hansel and Gretel stories. Within each theme, students can learn about the history of the story, read an annotated version of the tale, find out about stories with similar plot lines, research the story in the arts (film, music, poetry, literature), see various illustrations of the story, and more. This is a great starting point for older students doing comparative studies on folklore.
Absolutely Whootie: Stories to Grow By
This site is designed for elementary and middle school-aged students. Areas for kids, teachers, and parents as well as the stories are searchable by topic or age groupings ranging from 6 to 12 years. The stories are from all over the world, and accompanying activities in the teacher section may be printed and used in class. Also students may select from various activities, for example, a word search, word scramble, or images to print and color. Some of the story titles may be familiar to students such as the Russian tale, Baba Yaga, however, this is an excellent resource for introducing children to stories that will be new to them. A recently added feature is a collection of fairy tale scripts that may be downloaded and performed. The scripts are the work of 8th grade students, and other students are invited to write and submit their own scripts for possible publication on the site.
Wendy's World of Stories for Children
Students in upper elementary grades will enjoy this site. Illustrated fables, folktales, fairy tales, and campfire stories are available for reading. The online text is large and very easy to read. Some areas have links that further explain the topic. For example, in the section on fables a student can learn more about Aesop and Ancient Greece by clicking on hot words that lead to links with brief explanations of the topic. Eleven stories are currently available.
Destination: Vietnam for Kids
How did the tiger get his stripes? What happened in the Vietnamese version of Cinderella? Students can learn the answers to these questions and more at this site. In addition to three beautifully illustrated folktales for students to read, there is information about Dong Ho prints, the meaning of Tet, and the art of water puppetry. A section for older children and parents includes articles about the Vietnamese language and culture along with seven additional folktales in text with simple illustrations.
Folk Legends of Japan
Students of all ages will enjoy this colorful site maintained by Japanese middle and high school students. Twelve Japanese tales are available, representing stories commonly known to Japanese children. The themes of the stories will be familiar--a young man whose curiosity gets the better of him, a farmer who is rewarded for his kindness to others. Each story has animated illustrations and musical accompaniment. You need to download a plug-in for QuickTime to listen to the audio, but can still enjoy the stories and animation without doing so.
Korean Folktales
Have you heard the one about the poor farmer who found two magic fans and made his fortune? Or what about the boy who was so lazy, he was magically turned into a cow? These and 10 other Korean folktales are found at this site. The illustrations are animated and accompanied by narration. The stories are written in rebus style. In addition to reading the folktales, students can sequence the events that took place in the stories they read, print pictures from the stories to make coloring books, and dress cyber-dolls in traditional Korean costumes.
Candlelight Stories
A variety of fairy tales and folk tales are to be found at this site. Some are in audio version, others in text with illustrations. One fun activity, is a Fairy Tale newscast script written by sixth grade students. Your students may want to print the script to perform or use the idea to create their own television program using fairy tale characters.
Children: Songs and Fairy Tales
Fourteen tales are presented in audio in Russian, with four translated into English and available in text. Students can click on several beautiful illustrations to see in detail. This site will appeal to the artists in your classroom and can be used to encourage them to examine the artwork and then create their own detailed paintings and drawings.
Deep in the Bush, Where People Rarely Ever Go
The creator of this site, Phillip Martin, lived in Zwedru, a town in Liberia, West Africa while working as a Peace Corps volunteer. The tales posted on this site are ones he collected from the area. In addition to stories such as The Spider and the Honey Tree, which are available in illustrated text format, each story has been scripted for student performances, and a coloring page is available to download. A section called POWER Plays explains how to audition and produce a student play. Also on the site are Liberian recipes to extend student experiences in a way that appeals to both kids and adults.
Skunk and Opossum Folktales, Myths, Fables, and Legends
How about trying a site with a different approach? This page's unusual topic will certainly grab your students' attention. The folktales are based upon stories told by Native Americans, and each includes remarks afterward from the site's creator. Students can learn how skunks got their scent and why opossums have no hair on their tails. There is a link to a serious Skunks and Opossums Web site, should students want to learn more about these furry critters.
A New Twist on an Old Tale: An Internet Webquest on Cinderella
This activity, which fits particularly well with sixth grade social studies, is ready to go. Students working in small groups examine three versions of the Cinderella story, looking not simply at the basic plot line, but also at how the story reflects governmental structure and cultural practices in each of the different countries. Students then use this research, along with their knowledge of Ancient Greece, to write a children's storybook of Cinderella as it might have been told there.
Email: Susan Brooks-Young
|
