Oral Tradition: Tales from Around the

World7th Grade Literature

Background Oral tradition refers to stories that were

originally told orally (out loud) and later written down.

These stories were passed down from generation to generation.

Stories were often embellished and changed as they passed through the generations.

Background Each culture’s stories are based on their values and

traditions. To better understand the culture after reading one of

their stories, you can ask yourself: What values of the society are revealed through the

stories?” Are these values and traditions different from your

culture’s? What factors might have influenced these differences? How have the stories changed over time?

Background Read, “Storytellers Past and Present” on page 794. Then

answer the following questions in your LNb. Tim Tingle finds stories in people and places all around him.

Adopt the mind of a storyteller. Think about a person or place in your life that would make a good subject for a story. What details about this person or place do you think might appeal to an audience?

Tingle says, “I just listen and keep my mind open, and what I’ve found is that people with stories will seek me out…” Do you think people with stories really seek him out, or does he

have a special ear for stories that others might not see? Explain. Think about what Tingle said about adults who make movies

about the lives of young people. Do you agree with his assessment? Explain.

Background Types of Oral Tradition

Myths Folk Tales Fables Oral History

Common Elements Keep the past alive Teach lessons about human behavior Reveal the values of the society

Myths Attempt to answer basic questions about the

world Are considered truthful by their originators

Folk Tales Are told primarily for entertainment Feature humans or humanlike animals

Fables Are short tales that illustrate morals Have characters that are animals

Oral History Is based on real events Is considered factual by the teller Passes along information

Part 1: Learning from Experience

Vocabulary: Write the following words in your LNb on a page titled Oral Traditions, Part 1. Then look up the meaning of the words in your glossary. You may split the list with your partner, if you wish. Explicit Design Endow Aptitude Humility Vengeance Indignation Treachery Indignant implore

“Prometheus” An ancient Greek myth. Greeks believed that gods controlled people’s

fates. In many myths, characters overstep their

bounds or ignore warnings from the gods. This could anger the gods and result in a hefty price to pay.

“Theseus and the Minotaur”

Greek myth About the importance of keeping one’s word– a

matter of life or death. Theseus learns what happens when trust is

broken and the gods are angered.

Clarifying in “Prometheus”

Active readers clarify what they mean by restating the text in their own words.

This strategy helps you better understand what you read.

If there are sections of text that are difficult to understand, it helps to slow down or reread portions of the text.

Complete the Clarify worksheet as you read the story on pg. 798 for the first time.

Characterization in “Prometheus”

Characterization is the way a writer tells readers what a character is like.

Writers convey character traits in a variety of ways, including descriptions of a character’s appearance, words, and actions.

Use the Characterization worksheet to analyze the words and actions of Zeus and Prometheus after our second reading of the story.

Groups Discussion Questions

Why did Zeus want to prevent humans from having fire?

After they obtained fire, how did humans change? What happened to Prometheus?

Why did it take Aegeus so long to recognize his own son? How did Theseus prod his memory?

Why did Theseus fight the Minotaur? In what ways are Theseus and Prometheus

alike?