Countdown to Halloween• American Folklore --The term folklore is generally used to refer to the

traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of a people which have been disseminated in an informal manner -- usually via word of mouth, although in modern times the Internet has become a pivotal source for folklore.

• Folktale: A story or legend forming part of an oral tradition. Folktales possess many or all of the characteristics listed below.

• Are generally part of the oral tradition of a group.• Are more frequently told than read• Are passed down from one generation to another• Take on the characteristics of the time and place in which they are told• Sometimes take on the personality of the storyteller• Speak to universal and timeless themes.• Try to make sense of our existence, help humans cope with the world in which

they live, or explain the origin of something.• Are often about the common person• May contain supernatural elements• Function to validate certain aspects of culture

Sequencing a Classic Story• Choose one of the following classic short stories. Or choose another

story not listed and in your group sequence the events from that story from beginning to end. In 10 minutes we will switch papers and another group will evaluate your sequencing using the retelling checklist. Use the checklist as a guide.

• Little Red Riding Hood• Goldilocks and the 3 Bears• Rapunzel• Hansel and Gretel• The Elves and the Shoemaker• Rumpelstiltskin• The Three Little Pigs• Snow White

Sequence is the order in

which events happen.

Certain words can be

sequence clues.

Time-Order Words

first

next

then

finally

Time-Order Expressionin the morning

after that

later that day

two weeks later

Other Time Wordsyesterday

Saturday

April

winter

Now be a sequence detective. See if you can spot the clue words in the following story.

Last Tuesday I met my new friend Mickey. We were both in a ball game at recess. I told him he had made a good catch during the game. Later that day we played in a softball game. We were on the same team and we won!

Last Tuesday I met my new friend Mickey. We were both in a ball game at recess. I told him he had made a good catch during the game. Later that day we played in a softball game. We were on the same team and we won!

After the game, we traded some baseball cards, and then he said he wanted to ask me something. After he finished talking, we walked to the bus stop.

After the game, we traded some baseball cards, and then he said he wanted to ask me something. After he finished talking, we walked to the bus stop.

The next morning, I was able to answer his question. My parents said that I would go to his family’s apartment to have dinner with him on his birthday, December 6.

The next morning, I was able to answer his question. My parents said that I would go to his family’s apartment to have dinner with him on his birthday, December 6.

Literacy Do NowHalloween by the Numbers

• Make a list of as many facts as you can using the Chart on the next slide.

• Then choose one to respond to. For example I did not realize that a pumpkin can contain over 500 seeds. I carved a pumpkin last night and would have tried counting the seeds. In fact, if I remember correctly there were definitely not 500 seeds. I am not sure I agree with this fact! We are carving a pumpkin again tonight so I am going to try and count the seeds.

Countdown to HalloweenFolktales possess many or all of the characteristics listed below.• Are generally part of the oral tradition of a group.• Are more frequently told than read• Are passed down from one generation to another• Take on the characteristics of the time and place in which

they are told• Sometimes take on the personality of the storyteller• Speak to universal and timeless themes.• Try to make sense of our existence, help humans cope with

the world in which they live, or explain the origin of something.

• Are often about the common person• May contain supernatural elements• Function to validate certain aspects of culture

Halloween Folktale Sequencing

• Read the folktale you were given.• When you have finished reading the

folktale discuss as a group what characteristics you noticed in the folktale and list them in your notebook.