Part I: Read “Traditional Literature” on pages 204-251 in Chapter 6 of Through the Eyes of a Child.
Write a summary of Chapter 6 in your own words. The summary must include the
Following:
– Write a topic sentence that clearly names the source by full title and full name of the author and explains the main focus of the chapter.
Example: In chapter six in her book, Through the Eyes of a Child, Donna E. Norton explains the history, value, and diversity of traditional literature for children from around the world.
Do not just copy or plagiarize my example. Use it as a guide to help you to write your own topic sentence.
– Discuss what Norton explains about the oral storytelling tradition.
– Explain what Norton says about the literary elements of plot, characterization, setting, themes in traditional literature.
– Explain what Norton says about some of the key people that helped publish and popularize European traditional stories, such as Hans Christian Anderson, the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault.
Discuss what Norton explains about different cultural folktales. Norton spends a good portion of the chapter on folktales from different cultures; discuss several of the cultural folktales that interest you and explain why. Explain what Norton explains about the role traditional literature can have in teaching children about different cultures. Discuss some of the universal themes and values that can be found in folktales across cultures.
– Discuss what Norton explains about myths and legends.
Discuss what Norton explains about traditional literature for adolescents (or middle school grades).
– Remember to properly refer to the last name of the author when referencing information that she researched. Use phrases like, “According to Norton..” and “Norton explains….” and provide proper in-text parenthetical citation per MLA guidelines: https://tinyurl.com/y673xs3c Example: Norton explains, “…” (Norton 240).
Part II: Use concepts from the textbook to discuss and analyze John Steptoe’s picture
book retelling of Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale. Include the following:
-Write a topic sentence that clearly names the full title and full name of the author and explains the main focus or situation in the story. Example: John Steptoe’s retelling of the traditional African folktale, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, shares similarities with the better known European fairy tale of Cinderella but also provides children the opportunity to learn about African folk elements. Do NOT copy or plagiarize my example but use it to help write your own topic sentence.
-Summarize the plot. Be sure to describe enough of the plot so that someone who has
not read the story understands what the story is about.
-Discuss the characters in the story and what the characters represent.
-Discuss the overall theme or lesson of the story.
-Discuss the symbolism in the story. For example, you might discuss how the African folktale treats the snake differently than many Western folktales where the snake symbolizes evil.
-Discuss some of the traditional elements of the story that you learned about in the
textbook, such as the timelessness of the story, the universal theme or lesson, the use of magic, and the challenges the protagonist must face. You might discuss how the story resembles the Western fairy tale of Cinderella, and also how it differs.
