Sleepwalking Around the World: An Exploration of Sleep Folktales

Transcription

1 Sleepwalking Around the World: An Exploration of Sleep Folktales Student Information Page 7A Activity Introduction: By exploring various folktales about sleep from around the world, you will examine thematic similarities and differences across texts. You will construct summaries for three readings of your choice, highlighting each text s main idea and relevant supporting details. Completion of the open-ended response questions will allow you to analyze various aspects of each reading using evidence from the text and your own experiences to support your position. Finally, you will be asked to reflect on what you have learned through your literary exploration by completing a personal reflection. Activity Background: In literature, sleep is rarely portrayed simply as a means of replenishing one s body, rather it is described as a powerful, magical force capable of transforming beings and the physical world around them. Full of enchantment, these early tales strive to explain the mysteries surrounding sleep and dreams in the absence of scientific understanding. In fact, it wasn t until 1953, when researchers Eugene Aserinsky and Nathaniel Klietman discovered the occurrence of REMs, or rapid eye movements, during sleep that the long held secrets of the human sleep cycle were finally revealed. Our fascination with sleep has led to the creation of several folktales over the centuries highlighting this topic. Folktales are traditional stories that were originally passed down orally long before being recorded in writing. Generally anonymous, folktales are based on the concerns and beliefs of ordinary people and the world in which they live. Due to the continual popularity of this genre, many folktales are repeatedly rewritten and updated to reflect our modern views and to maintain relevance with today s reading public. Activity Materials: u 1 Copy Student Data Page u 3 Folktale Books (selected from the list included in this activity) Activity Instructions: 1. Select three books from different countries to read for this project. 2. After reading each book, complete a written summary for each folktale on your passport (included in Student Data Page). Be sure to include the book title, author, and country of origin. Each summary should also include the main idea of the story in addition to any relevant supporting details. 3. After you have filled out your passport, complete the open ended response questions on the Student Data Page. Explain your answers fully by providing evidence from the text. 4. Finally, complete the personal reflection sheet on your Student Data Page. 6

2 Sleepwalking Around the World: An Exploration of Sleep Folktales Student Data Page 7A I. Map of Folktales Color the areas of origin for each group of books listed below on the map. Make a legend so each group of books is color-coded to its area of origin on the map. United States Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep The Squeaky Door Sleepless Beauty Siberia How Snowshoe Hare Rescued the Sun - A Tale from the Arctic Bali Go to Sleep Gecko - A Balinese Folktale Brazil So Say the Little Monkeys Germany A Big Quiet House - A Yiddish Folktale from Eastern Europe The Cow in the House Philippines Tuko and the Birds - A Tale from the Philippines Japan The Boy of the Three Year Nap Vietnam Why Ducks Sleep On One Leg 7

3 II: Passport 8

4 III: Open Ended Questions Directions: Answer the following questions in the space provided. 1. What similarities are evident in the folktales you read? 2. What differences are evident in the folktales you read? 3. How is the theme of sleep important in each of the texts? 9

5 IV: Personal Reflection Directions: Please use the space below to reflect about what you learned during this project. 10