A Teacher's Guide to Folklife Resources

Materials Related to Storytelling

There are 19 titles in this list.

[ 172 ]
Arts of the Oral Tradition: Storytelling, Poetry, and Music
by Yellow Moon Press

Subjects: Music; Storytelling;
Locations: United States;

http://www.yellowmoon.com

Catalog of the Yellow Moon Press, which publishes and distributes materials on oral traditions, including poetry, literature, storytelling, and music from diverse cultures. Items are available both as books and sound recordings.

Published by:
Yellow Moon Press
689 Somerville Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143
800/497-4385

[ 206 ]
Crossroads of the Heart: Creativity and Tradition in Mississippi
by Mississippi Arts Commission
free
Subjects: Folk Arts and Material Culture; Maritime Culture; Music; Storytelling;
Locations: Mississippi;

http://www.arts.state.ms.us/crossroads/main.html

Website that profiles traditional artists and musicians in Mississippi and gives a brief description of their work. There is also a section for teachers which includes background, objectives, and suggestions for classroom activities. For upper elementary and middle school.

Published by:
Mississippi Arts Commission
239 N Lamar St., Suite 207
Jackson, MS 39201
601/359-6030

[ 235 ]
Dane County Cultural Tour
by Randall School 4th and 5th Grades
free
Subjects: Music; Foodways; Vernacular Architecture; Folk Arts and Material Culture; Storytelling; Farming and Gardening; Occupational Culture;
Locations: Wisconsin;

http://csumc.wisc.edu/cmct/DaneCountyTour/

This is a record of one brave teacher's 4-day field trip with his class to document many of the folklife-related activities and institutions in Dane County, Wisconsin. Many of the descriptions are student-written. This also has a "How We Did It" section, in case you're thinking of organizing your own.

Published by:
Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures
901 University Bay Drive
Madison, WI 53705
608/262-8180

[ 34 ]
Foxfire
by Eliot Wigginton, Margie Bennett, eds.

Subjects: Folk Arts and Material Culture; Community Life; Storytelling; Documentation and Field Research; Foodways; Ritual and Ceremony;
Locations: Georgia;

http://www.foxfire.org/news.html

The Georgia-based institute Foxfire has been producing publications by students and teachers for over thirty-five years. Foxfire News contains teacher stories, informational pieces and news. The eleven volume Foxfire Book series on Appalachian folklife resulted from student documentation and field research projects. The Foxfire Web site lists educational tools, materials for teachers, and publications, including Foxfire Magazine. Foxfire utilizes a learner-centered, community-based educational approach, with an emphasis on teacher training which supports Appalachian culture.

Published by:
Doubleday
Garden City, NY

[ 183 ]
From Bangkok and Beyond : Thai Children's Songs, Games, and Customs
by Pornprapit Phoasavadi, Patricia Shehan Campbell

Subjects: Asian Culture; Music; Folk Arts and Material Culture; Geography; History; Storytelling;
Locations: Thailand;

http://www.worldmusicpress.com/BangkokBeyond.htm

Introduction to Thai music and musical instruments including songs and games with music scores, storytelling, and a pronunciation guide to the Thai language. Includes information on theater, dance, festivals, and food recipes, with suggested activities and projects.

Published by:
World Music Press
PO Box 2565
Danbury, CT 06813

[ 229 ]
From the Brothers Grimm: A Contemporary Retelling of American Folktales and Classic Stories
by Tom Davenport and Gary Carden
$Videos $24.95-$39.95; Study Guides ($3-4 ea.)
Subjects: History; Storytelling;
Locations:

http://www.davenportfilms.com/pages/main_frombrosgrimm.html

Award-winning collection of contemporary, live-action versions of many popular Grimm fairy tales and Jack tales, most set in the southern US. These retellings allow teachers and students to delve into many historical, literary, and cultural areas for discussion. There is a teacher's guide with lessons for grades 2-12; study guides are written on an 8th grade level. Highly recommended.

Published by:
Davenport Films
11324 Pearlstone Lane
Delaplane, VA 20144-1722
800-80-GRIMM

[ 21 ]
Goldenseal
by West Virginia Division of Culture and History
$17/ year or $4.95/ individual issue
Subjects: Folk Arts and Material Culture; History; Geography; Occupational Culture; Ritual and Ceremony; Music; Storytelling; Community Life;
Locations: Appalachia; West Virginia;

http://www.wvculture.org/goldenseal/

A magazine of West Virginia traditional life, including such topics as music, farming, religion, traditional crafts, labor history and politics. Stories are taken from the recollections of West Virginia residents.

Published by:
Cultural Center
1900 Kanawa Blvd., East
Charleston, WV 25305-0300
304/558-0220 x153

[ 18 ]
Hook, Line and Sinker: An Activity-Centered, Interdisciplinary, Standards-Based Introduction to Fishing and the Environment
by Gregory Sharrow, Helen Freismuth

Subjects: Occupational Culture; Maritime Culture; Ecology and Environment; Fishing; Storytelling;
Locations: Vermont;

http://www.vermontfolklifecenter.org/

This educational kit also contains a CD with excerpts from interviews with eighteen Vermont anglers. Suggested activities to teach science, math, reasoning and problem solving, sportsmanship, and raises environmental issues surrounding fishing. The book is peppered with fish stories that add to the enjoyment of this educational tool.

Published by:
Vermont Folklife Center
PO Box 442
Middlebury, VT 05753
802/388-4964

[ 209 ]
How The Possum Lost His Tail
by Barbara Pangle and Barbara Duncan
free
Subjects: Native American Culture; Beliefs and Spirituality; Storytelling;
Locations: United States;

http://www.cherokeemuseum.org/html/education_studentteacher.html

Lesson plan based around story as told by Freeman Owle. Intended for K-1 students, but has suggestions for use with older elementary, middle, and high school students.

Published by:
Museum of the Cherokee Indian
PO Box 1599
Cherokee, NC 28719
828-497-3481

[ 223 ]
North Country Folklore Online
by Traditional Arts in Upstate New York
free
Subjects: Storytelling; Occupational Culture; Foodways; Vernacular Architecture; Music; Folk Arts and Material Culture; Recreation;
Locations: New York (State);

http://www.northcountryfolklore.org/index.html

Site has educational modules dealing with many aspects of folklife in northern New York state. Designed for use by teachers or by older students. Includes pictures, text, and audio clips.

Published by:
Traditional Arts in Upstate New York
2 W Main St/PO Box 665
Canton, NY 13617-0665
315/386-4289

[ 62 ]
Songs and Stories from Uganda
by W. Moses Serwadda, Hewett Pantaleoni
$17.95
Subjects: African Culture; Geography; History; Music; Storytelling; Luganda Language Materials;
Locations: Uganda;

http://worldmusicpress.com/songsandstoriesuganda.htm

Thirteen traditional story songs with English narrative, work songs, game songs and lullabies from the repertoire of W. Moses Serwadda, Ugandan musician, folklorist and faculty member at Makarere University in Uganda. The songs appear in the original Luganda, with phonetic pronunciation, English translation and an explanation of the story or purpose of each. Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon.

Published by:
World Music Press
PO Box 2565
Danbury, CT 06813-2565
203/748-1131

[ 170 ]
Storytelling Resources from The National Storytelling Press.
by National Storytelling Press

Subjects: Storytelling;
Locations: United States;

http://www.storynet.org/

Catalog includes books of stories on just about any topic-best-loved stories, history, storytelling as a teaching tool, stories of humor, and graveyard tales.

Published by:
National Storytelling Network
101 Courthouse Square
Jonesborough, TN 37659
1/800/525-4514

[ 203 ]
Teacher's Guide to Kentucky Folklife
by Kentucky Historical Society
free
Subjects: Documentation and Field Research; Folk Arts and Material Culture; Foodways; Occupational Culture; Storytelling;
Locations: Kentucky;

http://www.wku.edu/kentuckyfolkweb/ffest.html

A complete teacher's guide including lesson plans, background essays for students and teachers, ideas for extending the lessons and classroom activities. Different units explore particular traditions or aspects of folklife, and can be used separately or together. Very thorough resource lists for both teachers and students included, as well. Intended for use in upper elementary and middle school.

Published by:
Kentucky Historical Society
100 W. Broadway
Frankfort, KY 40601
877/444-7867

[ 168 ]
Tell Us How It Was: Stories of Rural Elders Preserved by Rural Youth
by Rural School and Community Trust

Subjects: Documentation and Field Research; Community Life; History; Storytelling;
Locations: United States;

http://www.ruraledu.org

This compilation of interviews conduected by rural students interviewing the elders of their communities details the strengthening of natural ties and trust between both groups. Students turned their histories into essays, poetry, and plays. The project encourages and challenges students to try to conduct an oral history project. A manual is included to guide the novice interviewer.

Published by:
Rural School and Community Trust
1825 K Street, Suite 703
Washington, DC 20006
202/955-7177

[ 177 ]
Uncle Monday and Other Florida Tales
by Kristin G. Congdon
$46/cloth, $18/paperback
Subjects: Storytelling;
Locations: Florida;

http://www.upress.state.ms.us/catalog/fall2001/uncle_monday_and_other_florida_tales.html

Forty-nine traditional tales fill this book, reflecting Florida's multicultural heritage. The tales come from a wide variety of sources with many drawn from the WPA materials in Florida's Department of State archives. The book is divided into five sections: "How Things Came to Be the Way They Are," "People with Special Powers," "Food, Friends and Family," "Unusual Places, Spaces, and Events," and "Ghosts and the Supernatural." Uncle Monday is elegantly illustrated with pen and ink drawings by Kitty Kitson Petterson. Written for adults, children, and folklorists.

Published by:
University Press of Mississippi
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211-6492
601/432-6205

[ 200 ]
Vermont Folklife Center Children's Book Series
by Vermont Folklife Center and others
$14.95, !5.95
Subjects: Storytelling; Community Life; Immigration and Migration; African American Culture; History;
Locations: Vermont;

http://www.vermontfolklifecenter.org/

A series of 32-page full color children's picture books based on tales preserved in the Center's extensive sound archives and adapted by award-winning, contemporary authors into exciting narratives. Titles include "The Two Brothers" by William Jaspersohn about brothers who immigrated from Prussia in the 19th century; "John and Tom" by Willen Lange, a tale of a young logger who is saved by his remarkable Morgan horse after an accident in the woods; "Daisy and the Doll" by Michael Medearis and Angela Shelf Medearis about an African-American girl who demonstrates pluck and resourcefulness in dealing with discrimination in a small Vermont town, and more.

Published by:
Vermont Folklife Center
PO Box 442
Middlebury, VT 05753
802/388-4964

[ 218 ]
Voices of Tradition
by Maryland State Arts Council
$available for loan
Subjects: Storytelling; Folk Arts and Material Culture;
Locations: Maryland;


This video documents performing arts and material culture traditions in Maryland, focusing on physical objects and spoken word. For loan information, please contact the phone number or address below and request information on folklife-related materials.

Published by:
Maryland State Arts Council
175 W Ostend St., Suite E
Baltimore, MD 21230
410/767-6555

[ 185 ]
Warmth Of Words : Wisdom and Delight Through Storytelling
by Vermont Folklife Center
$14.95
Subjects: Storytelling;
Locations: Vermont;

http://www.vermontfolklifecenter.org/

A collection of stories from Vermonters ages 11 to 102, including of local legends, chapters from family history, ghost stories and reminiscences of village and farm life. A wonderful way for teachers, parents and grandparents to engage children in the pleasures of storytelling!

Published by:
Vermont Folklife Center
PO Box 442
Middlebury, VT 05753
802/388-4964

[ 173 ]
Your Ear Is Older Than Your Grandfather: Folklore and Folk History for the Florida Classroom
by Loretta Van Winkle Rhoads; Hillsborough County School System (Fla.) ; Arts Council of Tampa-Hillsborough County.

Subjects: History; Documentation and Field Research; Storytelling; Family Celebrations and Traditions;
Locations: Florida;


This educational resource was developed for Tampa fourth-graders, but teachers throughout Florida will find it useful. It is well-organized, and contains separate chapters on topics such as children's folklore, family folklore, and ethnic folklore. Each section has a bibliography and resource guide.(Out of Print, but may be available in your local library.)

Published by:
Arts Council of Hillsborough County
1000 N. Ashley, Suite 105
Tampa, FL 33602
813/276-8250