1. Welcome to Tuesday, August 21st, 2018
Do-Now: What’s a myth? (don’t know? Look it up!) Why do we care?

2. Native American Literature
Myths and Folklore

3. MytH Recap
A myth (or origin/creation story) is a traditional story which describes the origins of something—typically the world, humanity, or aspects of nature or a culture.
A myth is an attempt to explain mysteries, “supernatural” events, and cultural traditions.
Sometimes considered a form of religious/spiritual belief – in other words, the culture of origin typically believes the myth is nonfiction.
Often involves gods, spirits, or characters with supernatural abilities

4. Native American Myths and FOlktales
Similarities:
Both are stories passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth
Both often involves nonhuman characters (gods, spirits, or animals) or human characters with supernatural abilities

5. Myths vs
FolklorE
A myth’s main purpose is to explain the origin of something, but can have a moral
The culture of origin typically believes the myth is nonfiction (or at least used to)
Focus is passing on a lesson or moral, but can explain an origin
Acknowledged as fiction by its culture of origin

6. How the Coyote Got his Cunning
Respond to the question below on the back of your notes.
As you watch the video, consider: is the story a Folktale or a Myth? Is it a bit of both? Explain.

7. trickster tales: A special type of Folklore
While a trickster tale does explain the origins of something (typically something in nature, like how tornadoes began or why deer have antlers), the main purpose of the story is to pass on a moral to the audience.
The moral of a trickster tale is usually very obvious and intended for children, while the themes behind a myth are usually more subtle
At some point in the story, a character (usually an animal) tries to trick another character or group of people

8. trickster tales: A special type of Folklore
Let’s read an example! After we read, respond to the questions below on the back of your notes:
2. What origin does the trickster tale explain?
3. What is the moral of the story?

9. Trickster Tail Requirements
For the next two days, your job is to create your own trickster folktale! Let’s go over the requirements…

10. Trickster Tail Requirements
Step One: Must have a natural setting and characters- Characters must be well- developed and must include animal characters with human qualities (i.e. A coyote that can speak, etc.)
Step Two: Must include a magical happening or magical transformation that explains something in the natural world.
In most trickster tales, the magical happening is a creation of a characteristic of an animal (i.e. a buck’s antlers, an elephant’s tusks, etc) or a natural force in the natural world (i.e. tornados, hurricanes, the eclipse, etc.).

11. Trickster Tail Requirements
Step Three: Must include a trickster. Someone in the story that either tries to trick all other characters or tries to foil the plan for everyone involved.
Step Four: Include a moral in the story. The ending of the trickster tale needs to serve as a moral compass for the reader- a cautionary tale that bad things will happen or things will not go your way if you do wrong.

12. Trickster Tail Work-Up
For the next fifteen minutes, complete your trickster tale work up. If you don’t want to draw, that’s fine – just write the name of the animal for step #1.

13. Trickster Tail Work-Up
Once you finish your brainstorming sheet, grab a chromebook, create a Google Doc, and share it with me at
Begin writing!