Folk Literature

Listen, my children, and you shall hear Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five; Hardly a man is now alive Who remembers that famous day and year. He said to his friend, “If the British march By land or sea from the town tonight, Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch Of the North Church tower as a signal light,-- One, if by land, and two, if by sea; And I on the opposite shore will be, Ready to ride and spread the alarm Through every Middlesex village and farm, For the country folk to be up and to arm.” -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Paul Revere’s Ride” Written in 1860 Missing details, but it reminds people of the roots of American independence. It is part of our country’s oral tradition…many students hear this poem every year. Our U.S. culture is young; in our new unit we will explore the oral traditions of many older cultures

Long before people invented writing, they were already telling stories, reciting poetry, and singing songs about their beliefs, dreams, and experiences. This helped create Folk Literature.

Folk Literature Syllables: Folk-Lit-er-a-ture; 5 Definition: works, ideas, or customs of a culture passed by word of mouth from generation to generation. Drawing: Examples: Fairy Tales Legends Myths Fables Proverbs Non-Examples: Bad recipe A Letter

Sentence Starters… We will be studying folk literature this unit. Folk literature is a big part of our culture. Now, you write a sentence using Folk Literature!

Culture Syllables: Cul-ture; 2 Definition: a particular society at a particular time and place; that shares the same attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, or practices. Drawing: Examples: Countries Religion Customs Languages Non-Examples: A tree Alone Myself

Sentence Starters… We wish to promote a culture of equality throughout the organization. One's success in the future depends one's culture and upbringing. Now, you write a sentence using Culture!

Jigsaw Activity Many of these stories, poems, and songs that have been passed generation from generation were written down and have become important part of world literature. Works found in folk literature or the oral traditions of people around the world include: myths, legends, fairy tales, fables, and proverbs.

Jigsaw Activity Expectations… In groups, read about your type of folk literature. Write down some notes on your worksheet. Discuss with your group what you learned about your type of folk literature. When time is called, I will pair you with others from different groups. Your job is to teach them about your type of folk literature; while they take notes on it.

Discuss with your new group what each folk literature has in common Are generally part of the oral tradition Are more frequently told than read Are passed down from one generation to another Take on the characteristics of the time and place in which they are told Speak to universal and timeless ideas, such as: love, hate, envy, etc…. Try to make sense of our existence, help humans cope with the world in which they live, or explain the origin of something. May contain supernatural elements Are used to help provide culture to others.

Mythology… Main focus of unit two Will be reading: “Arachne” “12 Labors of Hercules” “Magic Mortar” “Pandora” “Prometheus” I will also be reading, “The Lightning Thief” to you the last few minutes of class.

The Lightning Thief By: Rick Riordan The Lightning Thief is a 2005 fantasy-adventure novel based on Greek mythology. The first young adult novel written by Rick Riordan. It is the first novel in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, which charts the adventures of modern-day twelve-year-old Percy Jackson. Percy Jackson discovers he is a demigod, the son of a mortal woman and the Greek god Poseidon. Percy and his friends go on a quest to prevent a war between the gods Zeus, Poseidon and Hades.

Poseidon Poseidon is one of the twelve Olympian deities of the pantheon in Greek mythology. His main domain is the ocean, and he is called the "God of the Sea". He is also referred to as "Earth-Shaker” due to his role in causing earthquakes. He has been called the "tamer of horses“ too. He is usually depicted as an older male with curly hair and beard.

Zeus Zeus is the "Father of Gods and men" who rules the Olympians of Mount Olympus, as a father rules the family according to the ancient Greek religion. He is the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology. Zeus can understand other languages. So, with and, under Hellenic influence, became particularly closely identified with Roman Jupiter.

Ares Ares is the Greek god of war. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. In Greek literature, he often represents the physical or violent and untamed aspect of war.

Hades Hades was the ancient Greek god of the underworld. Eventually, the god's name came to designate the abode of the dead. In Greek mythology, Hades is the oldest male child of Cronus and Rhea. According to myth, he and his brothers Zeus and Poseidon defeated the Titans and claimed ownership over the cosmos, ruling the underworld, air, and sea, respectively; the solid earth, along the province of Gaia, was available to all three concurrently.