Blog# 6

Traditional Literature:

In my opinion, the definition for traditional literature is that composed of narrated, generational stories (transmitted through oral storytelling) comprised of folklores (adventurous tales ), fables (animal characters take on human characteristics), myths (natural phenomena including human emotion and experience) and legends (narrated historical truth).

Traditional literature is a genre of literature that is introduced to almost every child at an age of lasting impression. You could inquire any American child about the story "Cinderella" and they would most likely be able to tell you what the story was about. There are ojects within a story that help foster the child's recollection of that particular story. "The Princess and the Pea" consists of a pile of mattresses and a pea; “Cinderella” has a glass slipper and a fairy god-mother; “The Tortoise and the Hare” is about a race between a cocky rabbit and a determined turtle. When I was read to growing up, traditional literature was the genre of stories I was read to the most. I could recall what happened within the pages of these fascinating books. I could especially remember fables because there was always a moral at the end of the story; my mother would always somehow include the moral of the story as a lesson to a previous mistake I committed. (I was a bad child… no, actually I was just curious and often my curiosity got me into trouble. That’s when Fables came to my mom’s aid; she was greatly appreciated them, alongside every other strict parent).

Bringing traditional literature into a classroom would be interesting for both the students and the teacher. When learning new concepts, one has to become familiar with what is being studied. Fortunately, everyone has experienced this type of literature at a young age, therefore it would be easier to exercise creativity when discussing traditional literature. Here are my concepts and lessons concerning traditional literature:

Concepts and Lessons:
When studying various works I would distribute the four types of traditional literature (folklores, fables, myths and legends) amongst four groups of students. I would then have them read and examine a unfamiliar book parallel to their type of traditional literature. I would encourage them to create character webs, plot/scene analysis, timeline of plot, ect.; the more information collected, the better. Lastly, I would ask them to draw a specific scene that is the most vital to the storyline, and why. After these four separate groups have completed their tasks I would present all information and have the class as a whole collaborate to determine similarities and differences among the four types of traditional literature. I would ask my students what the main theme/concept was within all forms of traditional literature.
I would have my students give me their definition of traditional literature from what the learned from the previous activity. I would ask them to take their personal definition and concoct their own traditional literature genre story with illustrations and rich text. I would have them try to involve all four types (mythical, legend bearing, fable and folklore- like) within their story. I would have my students all share their stories.

I love traditional literature. As a child reading stories such as these widened my imagination. Any child can learn from it and most everyone enjoys listening to the supernatural tales of talking animals that learn meaningful lessons on the way. I will use traditional literature in my classroom and surly have fun “re” introducing it to my students.