MIDTERM

UNIT III

Lesson 1 Folklore and Folktales

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students will be able:
a. Discuss the significance of folklore and folktales
b. Enumerate the types of folklore and folktales
c. Explain the characteristics of folktales
e. Participate in the class discussion

Folklore was invented in 1846 by William John Thomas, an English scholar. Folklore are
stories dealing with traditions, customs and superstitions of people Folk literature has no
identified author. They are traditional narratives with no original form.

Importance of Folklore
1. explains social history of mankind
2. helps study comparative mythology and religion
3. helps understand relationship between races and the development of religion, beliefs and
ceremonies.
4. assist the ethnologists, sociologists, historians and students who study comparative
mythology and religion

Kinds of Folklore
1. Traditional literature in narrative form
a. folk tales
b, hero tales
c. ballads and song
d. legends of places
2. Traditional customs
a. local customs
b. astrology
c. festival customs
d. games
3. Superstitions and beliefs
a. witchcraft
b. astrology
c. superstitious practices
d. superstitious beliefs and fancies
4. Folk Speech
 a. popular sayings
b. Popular nomenclature
c. proverbs
d. jingles. rhymes, riddles

Characteristics of Folk Literature

1. concerned more with actions than on reflections

2. Concerned with physical heroism
3. concerned with mysterious and powerful influence- gods, giants, heroes, fairies, animals
and other supernatural beings

Folktales
The term folktales refer to traditional narratives of varying subjects with anonymous
authors handed down from generation to the next. Most of these folktales are fairy tales since
many of these stories are about fairies or magic or any supernatural element. Some
characters are animals, mysterious and powerful influences like gods, giants, heroes, fairies,
animals and other supernatural beings.

Assignment
1. Origin of Folktales
2. History of folktales
3. values of Folktales
4. Types of folktales

Types of Folktales
1. Accumulative or Repetitional Tale
2. Talking Beast Stories
3. Drolls or Humorous Stories
4. Myths
5. Epics and Hero Tales
6. Legends
7. Fables
8. Old Fairy Tales
9. Religious Tales
10. Romance Tales
11. Realistic Stories
 Folktales abound around the world. Each country has its own stories that have been
around since time immemorial. Although much are still stored in the memory of the bards or
troubadours or poets, some of these folktales have already found their way to printed form.
With the present communications technology, children around the world can already enjoy
reading them anytime, anywhere.

Parayno (1991) enumerated these Folktales by country

A. American The Dun Horse, Gingerbread Boy

B. Arabian Aladdin and the Wonderful lamp
C. East Indian The Tiger, The Brahman and the Jackal
D. English Jack and the Beanstalk, Lazy Jack, Mr. Vinegar, The Old Woman and her
Pig, The three Bears, The Three Little Pigs
E. French Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots, Sleeping beauty,
Toads and Diamonds
F. German Briar Rose, Elves and the Shoemaker, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White
and Seven Dwarfs, The Travelling Musicians
G. Greek Fables of Aesop
H. Norse Boots and His Brothers, The Princess on the Glass Hill, The Three Billy
Goats Gruff, Why the Bear is Stumpy Tailed, The Wonderful Knapsack
I. Russian The Straw Ox

Project
1. Make a compilation of these Types of Folktales. Two examples for each of the following:
a. Accumulative or Repetitional Tale
b. Talking Beast Stories
c. Drolls or Humorous Stories
d. Myths
e. Epics and Hero Tales
f. Legends
g. Fables
h. Old Fairy Tales
i. Religious Tales
j. Romance Tales
k. Realistic Stories
Lesson 2 Myths and Legends
Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
a. define myths and legends
b. discuss the values of myths and legends
c. participate in the class activities

Myths

Myths are creation stories involving gods. Myths try to explain the causes of the
phenomena. Myths are the early sciences that explain why a particular phenomenon ( e.g.
earthquake, sunrise, etc.) happens.

Myths are generally for older students- Grade Vi and up to high school.

Sources of Mythology
1. Greek and Roman Mythology
2. Norse Mythology
3. German Mythology

Values of Myths
1. It captures the imagination of poets and children
2. Myths are sources of allusions by poets in their poetry
3. Source of inspiration for graphic arts like sculptures
4. Give background for epics of countries
5. Explain the origin and meaning of words we use today
6. Helps in understanding arts and literature
7. widen knowledge about the physical world, the history and civilizations of times
8. Answer questions like how, why and when of things

Activity
1. Read the following stories:
a. Atalanta
b. King Midas
 Assignment
1. What are Pourquoi Tales?
2. Read the following stories then identify the phenomenon explained by each story.
a. Arachne
b. Europa
c. Io
3. Make a compilation of at least three Pourquoi Tales.

Legends
Legends are narratives believed to be partly true and partly imaginary. In other words,
these are unverifiable stories about a particular person that have come down from one
generation to the next.

Legend came from Latin word “Legenda” which means for things to read (Parayno
(1991). Legends apply to life stories of saints, including those biblical figures whose lives are
read during church masses. Eventually, legends mean stories with or without historical
background but are believed to be true. On the same ground, J.A. Cuddon defined legend as a
story or narrative that lies somewhere between myth and historical fact about a figure or a
person. A legend contains some exaggerated facts.

Characteristics of Legends
1. They idealize history
2. Stories of wonder or miracles not only of gods and goddesses but also of animals and other
things.
3. They are known to limited localities or places.

Activities

Questions:
a. Which parts or details of the stories are believable and unbelievable?
b. What do you think are the truths behind each story?
.
II. Watch the following movies
a. Hua Mulan or Mulan
b. King Arthur
c. The Legend of William Tell

Questions:
a. What aspects of the movies are believable and unbelievable?
 b. Do you know of anyone in your place who is a legendary person? What do people tell
about him or her? What are the extraordinary characteristics of the person?

Lesson 4 Epics, Hero Tales and Fables

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
a. define epics and fables
b. discuss the values of epics and fables
c. participate in the class activities

Epics

Epics come from Greek word epos meaning a saying or a song. Today an epic is a
narrative of skillful blend of tragedy, comedy, dirge, lyric, and idyll (Parayno, 1997). Epic is
considered to have a national importance to a group of people from whom the epic arose and
which the epic represents.

Epics are long narrative poems that troubadours or bards recite. These epics usually
feature a hero or heroine who possesses extraordinary skills or magical powers and who
embody the aspirations of a particular group of people.

Elements of Epic
1. Plot centers around a hero of unbelievable stature- the hero completes what everyone only
attempts
2. Involves deeds of superhuman strengths and valor- the hero accomplishes feats no humans
could.
3. Vast setting- the setting is not limited to one place but encompasses the entire cosmos
across land and sea, into the underworld through time and space.
4. It involves supernatural and otherworldly forces- it involves gods, demons, angels, time and
space travel, cheating death, etc.
5. Sustained elevation of style- It is overly written or exaggerated; highly stylized
6. Poets remain objective and omniscient- the narrator seems to know all and presents all
perspectives.

Epic Origin
 In general, all epics are histories that have become mythology in themselves. How epic
began is believed to be brought about by the following factors
1. accumulation of pre-existing stories and characters
2. often told in oral manner
3. loosely based around historical or quasi-historical characters or events
4. set in a mythological distant past

Hero Tales by Countries

American- Pecos Bill, Buffalo Bill, Paul Bunyan’s Flapjack Griddle, Kwasid: Hercules of the
American Indian

English- Beowulf, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Robin Hood, St. George and
the Dragon
Norse- Heroes of Asgard, Sigurd the Volsung, The Making of the Hammer
France- Roland
Greek- The story of Odysseues, Pandora, The Winged Horse, Atalanta
Swiss – William Tell
India- Rama
Spain- El Cid (Rodrigo Diaz de Bevar)

Examples of Epics Around the World Examples of Philippine Epics

Epic of Gilgamesh (Iraq)
Iliad and the Odyssey (Greece) (Kalinga) Ullalim
Beowulf ( England) (Ifugao) Hudhud at Alim
Dante’s Inferno (Italy) ( Panay) Maragtas
Nibelungenlied (Germany) ( Ilocano) Biag ni Lam-ang
Mahabharata and Ramayana (India) (Panay) Hinilawod

Fables
Fables are allegorical stories featuring animal characters to teach morals. These stories
centers on the teaching of behavior, thereby transmitting cultural values.

Characteristics of Fables
1. short, simple narratives
2. didactic tone, its aim is to instruct the reader or listener
3. with anthromorphic animal characters- anthromorphism is the attribution of human
motivation and behavior to animals or objects.
4, Rural setting usually in the distant past
5. Plot is single event
6. Intended moral is stated at the end though some fables only have implied lesson.
 The Fox and the Grapes
Aesop
A fox one day spied a beautiful bunch of ripe grapes hanging from a vine trained
along the branches of a tree. The grapes seemed ready to burst with juice , and the fox’s
mouth watered as he gazed longingly at them. The bunch hung from a high branch, and the
fox had to jump for it. The first time he jumped, he missed it a long way. So he walked off a
short distance and took a running leap at it., only to fall short once more. Again and again he
tried, but in vain. Now he sat down and looked at the grapes in disgust. “What a fool I am, “
he said. “Here am wearing myself out to get a bunch of sour grapes that are not worth
gaping for.” And off he walked very, very scornfully.
Many pretend to despise and belittle that which is beyond their reach.

A Miser and His Gold

Aesop
A Miser had buried his gold in a secret place in his garden. Everyday, he went to the
spot, dug up the treasure and counted it. Piece by piece to make sure it was all there. He
made so many trips that a Thief, who had been observing him, guessed what it was the miser
had hidden, and one night quietly dug up the treasure and made off with it. When the Miser
discovered his loss, he was overcome with grief and despair. He groaned and cried and tore
his hair. A passer by heard his cries and asked what had happened. “My gold! O my gold!”
cried the miser, wildly, “someone has robbed me!””Your gold! There in that hole? Why did
you put it there? Why did you not keep it in the house where you could easily get it when you
had to but things? “ Buy!” screamed the miser angrily. “Why, I never touched the gold. I
couldn’t think of spending any of it.” The stranger picked a large stone and threw it into the
hole.” If that is the case, “he said,” cover up that stone. It is worth just as much to you as the
treasure you lost!”
A possession is worth no more than the use we make of it.

The Woodcutter and the Axe

Aesop
Long time ago, there lived a woodcutter in a small village. He was sincere in his work and very
honest. Every day, he set out into the nearby forest to cut trees. He brought the woods back into the
village and sold them out to a merchant and earn his money. He earned just about enough to make a
living, but he was satisfied with his simple living.
One day, while he was cutting a tree near a river, his axe slipped out of his hand and fell into
the river. The river was so deep, he could not even think to retrieve it on his own. He only had one axe
which was gone into the river. He became very worried thinking how he will be able to earn his living
now! He was very sad and prayed to the Goddess. He prayed sincerely so the Goddess appeared in front
of him and asked, “What is the problem, my son?” the woodcutter explained the problem and requested
the Goddess to get his axe back.
The Goddess put her hand deep into the river and tool out a silver axe and asked. “is this your
axe?” The woodcutter looked at the axe and said “No.” So The Goddess put her hand deep into the river
and tool out a golden axe and asked. “is this your axe?” The woodcutter looked at the axe and said
“No.”. The Goddess said, “Take a look again Son, this is a very valuable golden axe. Are you sure this
is not yours?” The woodcutter said, “No.” It’s not mine. I can’t cut the trees with a golden axe. It’s not
useful for me.” The Goddess smiled and finally put her hand into the water again and tool out his iron
axe and asked, “Is this your axe?”To this the woodcutter said “Yes!” This is mine! Thank you!” The
Goddess was very impressed with his honesty so she gave him his iron axe and also the other two axes
as a reward for his honesty.

Always be honest. Honesty is always rewarded.

Sources of Fables
1. Aesop- Most fables are believed to be attributed to Aesop. Aesop was a Greek slave who
became free because of his skill in writing great fables. Later he occupied a high position in
government. During the ancient time in Greece, people were not free to speak their mind to
attack corrupt government officials. So Aesop resorted to writing fables as a way to express
contempt on unscrupulous public officials.

2. Panchatantra- Panchatantra means Five Books written about 300 B.C. to teach young
children about the beatitudes. It is the oldest known collection of Indian fables.

3. Jatakas- another ancient collection of Indian fables. Jatakas is a Buddhism name for stories
that tell about the rebirths of Gautama Buddha into many different animals before being born
as Buddha, the Enlightened One.

4. Jean de La Fontaigne – turned many of Aesop’s fables into verses.

Assignment

1. Bring copies of fables to the class

2. Read the fable
3. identify the characters in the fable
4. Determine the moral of each fable

Class Activity

1. Group the class by 5

2. Write an original fable
3. Identify the moral your fable teaches
4. Defend your choice of animals as characters in your fable.

Project
 A. Make a list of the epics of the Philippines
a. From Luzon
b. From Visayas
c. From Mindanao
B. Prepare a compilation of summaries of each epic
C. Print them on a short bond paper, put in a folder and fasten with a sliding clip

UNIT IV
Lesson 1 Bible Stories and Realistic Stories
Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
a. read bible and realistic stories
b. discuss the values of bible and realistic stories
c. participate in the class discussion

Bible Stories

Bible stories are stories derived from the bible. The bible is rich with many timeless
stories. Most Christian children are familiar with the stories of Adam and Eve, Moses, Noah’s
Ark, Joseph and his Brothers, and many other biblical figures.

Characteristics of Bible Stories

1. Stories are of religious nature.
2. Language is simple.
3. Contain many phrases
4. Contain proverbs, poetry and songs.
5. Writer is anonymous

Values to Children
1. Teaches children to know God.
2. Gives children better understanding and appreciation of the bible.
3. Gives moral and spiritual values to children.
4. Helps children to enter into a Christian way of life
5. Bible stories are good for storytelling and dramatization

Bible Stories can be told in any language that is understandable by children. The following are
examples of the stories for storytelling:

1. Origin of the World 6. Joseph, the Dreamer

2. Moses 7. Abraham
3. Noah and his Ark 8. Jonah and the Fish
4. Isaac 9. The miracle of Two Fishes and Five Loaves of Bread
5. Jacob 10. The Birth of Jesus

Realistic Stories

These are stories that are based on the reality. They are about real people- a doctor, a
teacher, an engineer, a farmer, a street sweeper, a musician, etc. They present the truths in life
and never hide the truths. These are usually based on the real life experiences of writers and
the people around them. These are not escape stories.

Characteristics of Realistic Stories

1. Acton filled plot
2. Unified plot
3. Has logical development
4. Stories must be true to human nature, believable
5. Style of writing is interesting to attract young readers

Values of Realistic Stories

1. Children can identify with the protagonist in the stories
2. Gives the readers an insight to the real life situations
3. Gives a sense of belongingness to readers
4. Satisfies the need to love and be loved
5. Stories are great source of information
6. Satisfies the need to achieve

Assignment
1. Look for copies of realistic Stories.
2. Bring them to school.
3. Read it to the class.

Discussion points

1. How is a realistic story different from other genres of children’s literature?

 2. Based on the story read, what values can be learned by the children?

3. At what age do you think the story is appropriate? Why?

Lesson 2 Biography and Autobiography

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
a. Define biography and autobiography
b. Discuss the points of difference between biography and autobiography
c. Discuss the values of reading of biography and autobiography
d. Participate in the class activities

When a writer writes about the life of another person, the piece is called a biography.
Technically, a biography is a story about a person’s life. When a person writes about his own
life, it is called an autobiography. A well-written biography is read like one is having a
conversation with a familiar person. It draws the reader to the personal experiences and
situations the writer was in.

However, children must be taught about the difference between a real

biography/autobiography from the historical fictions. If a book has fictional characters, then,
clearly it is not a biography. Biographies are products of research and available primary
sources.
Types of Biography
1. Authentic biography- This type of biography accurately tells about the subject person’s life.
It adheres to facts and does not invent facts or dialogues or supposedly utterances made by
the person. It remains loyal to what really happened. It is an honest account of someone’s life
to include the failures and not only the subject’s successes in life.

2. Fictionalized Biography- This type of biography, although tells about the life of a person,
speculates and imagines what the situations are like and the details. The writer even provides
invented dialogue and interior monologue-which tells readers what the person is thinking.
Conversations are invented.
Forms of Biography
1. Complete biography spans the entire life of the subject person. Typically, this tells the life
story of the subject person from the day he/she was born to the day of his/her death.

2. Partial biography focuses on a only one part or aspect of the subject person. For example,
the childhood life of Jose Rizal, or Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, or when you write
your own My High School Life.

Values of Autobiography (Parayno, 1997)

1. For information- readers get to know pieces of information about the writer
2. For recreational reading- readers get vicarious experiences from the work
3. To inspire others- it helps readers to handle their won challenges in life
4. For Self-Justification- Readers get to know how a person became who he/she is

Assignment
1. Look for examples of autobiographies
2. Bring examples of biographies.
3. What values are present in the biographies read?

Lesson 3 Modern Fairy Tales or Tales of Fantasy

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
a. Define Modern Fairy Tales or tales of fantasy
b. Discuss the values of reading tales of fantasy
c. Enumerate the types of fantasy tales
d. Participate in the class activities

Fairy Tales

A story with magical elements.

Characteristics of Fairy tales
1. set in the past
2. use some form of variation of “once upon a time”
3. fantasy or make believe elements
4. enchanted setting like forest, castles, water or kingdoms
5. clearly defined good and evil characters
6. magical elements
7. characters take on unusual forms like giants, witches, dwarfs, talking anmals, etc.
8. group of three objects, people or events
9. clearly defined problem, climax and resolution
10. Teaches a lesson important to the culture the fairy tale came from

Types of Fantasy
1. Animal fantasy
2. Literary Fairy Tales
3. Animated Object fantasy
4. Human with Fantasy Character
5. Extraordinary person
6. Enchanted journey
7. High Fantasy
8. Supernatural Fantasy
9. Science Fiction
10. Unlikely Situation

Assignment

1. Make a list of fairy tales

2. Download copies of at least 10 fairy tales.

3. Make your own compilation of these fairy tales for children.