Exploring Folk Tales

Grade Level

2nd Grade

Duration

45 minutes

Unit

Folk Tales in Art (Lesson 1 of 10)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand and articulate what a folk tale is and why it is important in cultures around the world.
• Identify key elements of a folk tale: characters, setting, and moral.
• Listen actively to a folk tale from a selected culture, then discuss and retell the story’s main points.
• Connect folk tales to art by beginning to imagine how stories can inspire illustrations and artistic interpretation.

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Standards Alignment

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2
  Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
  Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1
  Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.2
  Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

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Materials Needed

• Picture book or video of a folk tale from a specific culture (e.g., "The Tale of the Three Trees," Native American, or African folk tale)
• Chart paper and markers
• Drawing paper and crayons or colored pencils
• Folk tale element anchor chart (e.g., Characters, Setting, Moral)
• Comfortable storytelling area with a circle of chairs or carpet space
• Optional cultural artifacts or images related to the folk tale’s culture to spark curiosity

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Lesson Procedures

1. Warm-up Discussion (7 minutes)

• Gather student one in a comfy storytelling spot.
• Ask: “Have you ever heard a story that has been told in your family or culture?”
• Introduce the term folk tale and explain it is a special story passed down by people in many places around the world.
• Show simple pictures or objects from the folk tale’s culture to activate interest and connect to students’ prior knowledge.

2. Read-Aloud and Active Listening (12 minutes)

• Read or show a folk tale from a chosen culture.
• Use expressive voice and gestures to make the story come alive.
• After reading, pause to ask guiding questions:
  • “Who are the characters in this story?”
  • “Where does the story take place?”
  • “What lesson or moral do you think this story teaches?”
• Record answers on the folk tale elements anchor chart.

3. Story Mapping and Discussion (10 minutes)

• Use a simple story map visual (Characters, Setting, Moral) drawn on chart paper.
• Together with the student, fill in each part using their responses.
• Discuss how folk tales often teach lessons and why that’s important for people in a community.
• Ask: “Can you think of a time when someone taught you a lesson through a story?”

4. Creative Connection: Drawing the Tale (12 minutes)

• Provide drawing materials.
• Invite the student to draw their favorite part of the story or a picture of one of the key characters.
• Encourage them to think about colors, expressions, and details that show the story's mood and setting.
• While drawing, engage in conversation about why they chose that scene or character.

5. Wrap-Up and Reflection (4 minutes)

• Ask the student to share their drawing and explain its connection to the story.
• Reinforce the idea that folk tales help us learn about different cultures, and art helps us bring those stories to life.
• Preview next lesson: “Next time, we will create our own folk tale art inspired by the stories we hear!”

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Assessment

• Formative:
  Observation of participation in discussions and story mapping. Listening for accurate identification of characters, setting, and moral.
• Performance:
  Evaluate drawing activity for evidence of understanding story elements and ability to express ideas visually.
• Anecdotal Notes:
  Record insights or questions the student shows about cultural storytelling and folk tales.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide story visuals or repeat key story segments to reinforce comprehension for a student needing extra support.
• Use open-ended questions to deepen thinking or ask “what if” scenarios to extend understanding (e.g., “What if the story was set in your town?”).
• Allow tactile or 3D materials (clay, fabric scraps) to encourage artistic expression if preferred over drawing.

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Teacher Reflection Prompts

• Did the student engage with the story and participate in discussion as expected?
• Were the key folk tale elements clearly understood and identified?
• How well did the student connect story elements to their drawing?
• What cultural insights or curiosities did the student express that can be leveraged in future lessons?

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This lesson offers a rich, interactive introduction to folk tales, blending literacy and art in a balanced way that meets Common Core standards while encouraging creativity and cultural awareness from the very start of the unit.