American studies is a combination of fields such as literature, history, philosophy, politics, and economics. This publication examines how the different fields of study relate to American studies through folklore or folktales. The use of folktales can provide better illustrations and understandings of U.S. individuals' heritage and evolution.…

The Appalachian "Tale of Red Emmy" presented in the novel "Oral History" by Lee Smith (1983), reveals both an Irish origin and an American transformation. Granny Younger, one of Smith's narrators, tells of a curse visited on four generations of the Cantrell family after Almarine Cantrell chanced upon the witch Red Emmy in the…

Describes a psychologist's encounter with a classroom teacher as he attempts to explain how children remember fairy tales. (MKM)

Introduce students to this tall-tale character, plus other fantasy folk and forms. (Editor)

This folktale unit supports 6th- through 8th-grade students exploration of the many subgenres of folktales: trickster tales, fairy tales, fables, tall tales, and legends. The unit focuses heavily on the use of technology as a learning tool as students work together to create WebQuests for their peers to explore. During the 10 one-hour sessions,…

Uses examples of English-Yoruba translation to show that borrowing is a natural way of translating new concepts from source language into target language. Stresses importance of folk etymology in natural translation. (Author/BK)

Describes the storytelling program at the Department of American Indian Studies, San Diego State University, which has involved Indian elders and storytellers, students, and both Indian and non-Indian children and adults from the local community. Includes a Wyandot tale that warns against jealousy, bitterness, and revenge. (SV)

Discusses the value of tall tales for children and focuses on tall tale heroines that have become more prevalent and offer models of strong, resourceful, undaunted women. Includes examples of popular tall tale heroines and offers suggestions for class activities. (LRW)

Using a qualitative study, two teachers, Emily and Rebecca, who started their teaching careers in their forties were interviewed and followed for 3 years to document their experiences in the teaching profession. The tale of these two teachers includes their joys, frustrations, and problems that surround their lives as middle school math teachers.…

A discussion of how the fairy tale influences the development of the child's speech, fantasy, intellectual abilities, emotions, and personality as a whole. (Author/HB)

This paper, the sixth of seven, part of an interdisciplinary project on the context of reading and reading research that explores similarities and dissimilarities in the response to literature in readers from different cultures, presents the complete texts of the three stories used in the project. The stories are the Danish "Per Smed's…

A study of folklore may be a way of introducing children to traditional stories which tell of a culture's superstitions, beliefs and customs. (JH)

Discusses the lack of consistent accuracy about historical figures in Chaucer's "Monk's Tale." The story of Nero fishing in the Tiber with golden nets is corroborated by many other ancient and medieval authors; however, the reference to Julius Caesar as being of lowly birth is peculiar only to Chaucer and a few medieval English authors.…

Analyzes an illustration for an old Chinese riddle tale drawn by Peter Sis for "Stories to Solve: Folktales around the World." (NKA)