Technology for Classroom Practitioners
An interdistrict project funded by the TLCF

Search:                    

Tall Tales and Real Tales

Overview Tall tales can be used to excite children about reading literature. There are many tales that can be compared or rewritten. They can also be used to introduce geographical landforms

Time frame This unit will take approximately 1 week, for 45 minutes a day.

Materials Computers, digital camera, A collection of Tall Tales, Art supplies, Tall Tale Videos

Activities

1.Introduce Tall Tales by reading a short Tall tale to the group.Discuss what a Tall Tale is.
2.Small cooperative groups will then pick stories to read and discuss from the list provided Tall and Real Tales that are offered on internet sites from Trackstar sites or books offered in the class room.
3.The group will pick two story characters to compare in a Venn diagram. They will create the venn diagram on the computer.
4. The individual students will then draw a picture of a favorite tall tale character and take a picture of it with a digital camera to put on a website.
5. Student groups will choose geographical locations in the USA from their tall tale stories. The students use http://www.factmonster.com . to find out where the locations are. Have groups make murals of tall tale areas in the U.S. (At this site you need to type in the name of your geographic location in the search box.)
6.Finally students will create their own Tall Tale using Ultimate Creative Writing software. When done these will be put on the Website also.
Assessment Checklists "Tall Tale Story" "Group cooperation"

Extensions Make a shadow box, Create a puppet, Design and make a mobile, Act out a tall tale, Make rock people tall tale characters, Watch Tall Tale videos

.