Fall Break Fun Activity:
Tall tale heroes, such as Davy Crockett and John Henry, are often based on real people. Help your child write her own tale based on someone she personally knows. She will learn how story elements work together as she gives some thought to an amazing person in her life.
What you need:
Paper and pencil
What you do:
1. Start this activity by reading (or having your child read to you) several tall tales based on the lives of real people. You can find several at American Folklore.
2. As you read, explain that these stories are about real people, but that the people who told the stories added to them and the stories became tall tales. Help your daughter identify elements of a tall tale - exaggeration, humor, and a rival.
3. Who does she know that would make a good tall tale hero? Perhaps she knows a pilot or a police officer. Does she know someone who works harder or faster than other people? Does she know someone extremely strong or courageous?
4. Once she has picked someone, have her write something factual about this person.
5. Add exaggeration - how can she make the feat bigger or the challenge scarier?
6. Can she add humor? One way to do this is to exaggerate. Also, consider physical humor such as something messy. You can also change details. What if your cowboy rode a pig instead of a horse?
7. Who is the hero's adversary? Who is it that messes things up for him again and again? Make this person larger than life too. Finally, how does your hero triumph?
When the tale is done, help your daughter create a book to give to her larger-than-life hero (use ipad apps like StoryKit, Book Writer, Scribble My Story, StoryBuddy 2, Creative Book Builder, or Story Creator).
By Sue BradfordEdwards
from www.education.com
