Oral Tradition, Part 47th Grade Literature

Background

This week’s selections include a Greek myth, and American trickster tale, and a Hispanic folk tale.

Myths– attempt to answer basic questions about the world and are considered truthful by their originators.

Folktales– are told primarily for entertainment and feature humans or humanlike animals

“Phaethon”

Greek myth

Attempts to explain a natural event or answer a basic questions about the world

Phaethon is the son of the god Apollo, and this myth explores how his mistake led to the creation of deserts and drought.

“The Force of Luck”

An American folktale from the Southwest.

Reflects a mixture of Spanish, Mexican, and Native American

Like many Hispanic tales, change is explained as being part of God’s will.

“Brother Coyote and Brother Cricket”

An American trickster tale from Texas

Many American tales celebrate mind over might, or brains over brute strength.

Part 4: Nothing Stays the Same

Vocabulary: Write the following words in your LNb on a page titled Oral Traditions, Part 4. Then look up the meaning of the words in your glossary. You may split the list with your partner, if you wish.

Abode crude

Acknowledge assault

Contend vainglorious

Squander

Anguish

Bartering

Benefactor

“Phaethon”: Connecting

Connecting is something that active readers do.

They connect their own experiences (or experiences of people they know or characters they have read about) to what is happening in the story they are currently reading.

“Phaethon”: Conflict

A conflict is a problem faced by a character in a story.

Can be external (outside) or internal (inside)

External conflicts can be between characters, or between characters and an outside force such as nature or society.

Internal conflicts are conflicts within a character, such as struggles with difficult decisions or with feelings, dreams, and desires.

Some conflicts can have both internal and external elements.

Group Discussion Questions

Why did Zeus strike Phaethon with a thunderbolt?

Why did the two wealthy men give money to the miller?

Did the miller have good luck with the money? Explain.

What changed the miller’s life?

How did the battle between the coyote and the cricket turn out?