Fools and Tricksters in Literature
Teacher Anne Girven
| Year
|
Level
|
Duration
|
| 4-6
|
3
|
3-4 weeks
|
| Achievement Objective Being Assessed
|
Learning Outcomes
|
| Close Reading
|
Discuss meanings and ideas from a range of traditional texts based on the theme 'fools and tricksters' relating their understanding to personal experiences.
|
| Poetic Writing
|
Write a story based on ideas and information gained during reading and discussion of fools and tricksters, shaping, editing and reworking text
|
| Processes
|
| Thinking Critically
|
Discuss fools and tricksters found in written texts drawing on personal background and knowledge.
|
| Supporting Achievement Objective
|
Learning Outcomes
|
| Interpersonal Listening
|
Listen to and interact with others to clarify understanding of information, ideas and opinions about fools and tricksters. Contribute to discussion.
|
| Listening to Texts
|
Listen to texts, identify the purposes and respond to the ideas relating to fools and tricksters in literature.
|
Teacher background reading
Introduction
There are many trickster folk tales in folklore and in modern literature. Trickster tales are found in every culture. They often use an animal that represents the underdog, which uses skill and cunning to outwit a superior. These stories have been passed down the generations and cultures.
During this unit students will be:
- reading and discussing
- categorising the devices used by the trickster
- comparing the trickster and those who are/have been tricked
- writing their own trickster tale.
Teaching and learning activities
Select and adapt these learning activities to best meet the needs of your students, and to fit the time available:
Setting the scene
Set up a
learning (RTF 7KB)
with as many tales about tricksters and fools as possible. Include picture books, fairy tales, folk tales, myths and legends (see
booklist (RTF 14KB)
).
Bookmark websites for students:
Students will be encouraged to read, during Independent Reading, to enjoy the stories.
Set up a daily 'story time' when the teacher or a student reads to the class books selected from the learning centre.
Learning task 1
Learning task 2
Learning task 3
Learning task 4
Assessment
Assessment Task
Cooperatively with a peer, students brainstorm ideas for an original trickster tale (using information and knowledge gained through close/personal reading).
draft (RTF 7KB)
,
edit (RTF 7KB)
, proofread, teacher conference and publish.
For customisable student check-lists, see these Assessment Resource Bank resources:
assessment-2 (RTF 10KB)
self_assess (RTF 314KB)
Resources
Electronic
Print
National Library Books
