Traditional Literature

Traditional Literature stories help us understand and appreciate other people and hold many valuable lessons, as well as help us understand the universality of common beliefs and values. This will help our students recognize and celebrate diversity.

I would start by brainstorming on the board as a whole class. What stories do you already know that might be Traditional Literature? We can then analyze a story and why we think the author wrote it with that outcome. Why are some Traditional Literature so unfriendly? How could we rewrite the story to make it more friendly?
Students could then use our class blog website to rewrite the part of the story they wish to change.

A great way to deliver this information is to have students compare and contrast two versions of a tale from two different cultures. They will be able to identify the essential components of one of the tales and retell it to their classmates. Students will reflect on why they chose the version of the story that they shared? Students will also comment on their story to it's culture of origin.

Another great assignment I would do in my class is have students identify elements of Traditional Literature: discuss types of plots, structure. What pieces of evidence prove this is Traditional Literature?

Obi, Gerbil on the Loose by Michael Delaney

I really liked this book, it brought me back to my childhood. My sister and I always had hamsters. They would get out from time to time,  they are very active, nocturnal creatures. We didn't have such a happy ending for our last two hamsters though. They were in their running balls and my dad left the sliding glass door open, out to the pool. I was watching the Golden Girls.  Yah, that was horrible. I will never forget that night. But we look back now and laugh at my mom for doing CPR on two hamsters.

Autism by Carol Baldwin

My three year old niece was recently diagnosed with Autism. The book does a great job of giving causes, symptoms, and treatment, while identifying ways to help, and provides motivating stories of people who've achieved success despite their conditions. Because the Autism spectrum is literally changing in the coming year the cases of Autism are growing. The spectrum has become much more broad which means that many people have gone undiagnosed or labeled with a learning disability. There are varies degrees of Autism, one can not always tell by someone's appearance. What a great lesson for children to learn as well.

Boo Hoo Bird by Jeremy Tankard

I really want to teach Kindergarten and I fell in love with this book Boo Hoo Bird  by Jeremy Tankard.

I became completely smitten with the Grumpy Bird, my daughter was delighted with this book, to follow Bird on a new adventure with his darling band of forest friends. The characters are whimsical indeed, but with just the right dose of reality: not all days are good, and heads sometimes do get bumped. Thankfully, friendship (and distraction by good friends) is the best medicine!