The Trickster in African and African-American Folktales

Student Edition

A Note to Students
About Landmark School Outreach Program

Part I: Basic Skills Section

Levels of Writing: Definitions and Terminology
Single Paragraph Composition
Single Paragraph with Elaborations
Multi-Paragraph Composition

Directions to the Student: How to Use the Writing Models
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Single Paragraph Composition with Exercise
Single Paragraph Composition with Elaborations with Exercise
Multi-Paragraph Composition with Exercise

Part II: The Trickster in African and African-American Folktales

The Origin of African-American Folktales
Note-Taking
Note-Taking Template
Summarizing
Compound Sentences - Introduction
Compound Sentences - Exercise

The Trickster
Compound Sentences - Exercise

Anansi the Spider
Introduction
"Fling-A-Mile"
Composition - Anansi as a Trickster Character with Graphic Organizer
Compound Sentences - Exercise
Another Anansi Tale:Comprehension Questions
"Anansi Tries to Steal All the Wisdom in the World"

African Folktales: Changes and Adaptations
"The Rabbit and the Clay Man"
"Brer Rabbit and the Wonderful Tar Baby"
Graphic Organizer for Comparison Paragraph
Graphic Organizer for Contrast Paragraph
Writing Transition Sentences

Abstract Thinking - Symbolism and Theme
Compound Sentences - Adverbial Conjunctions
Compound Sentences - Exercise

Folktale Authors
Introduction
Joel Chandler Harris
Note-Taking and Summarizing
Compound Sentences - Three Methods of Coordination
Two Versions of the Same Folktale
"Brer Rabbit Grossly Deceives Mr. Fox"
A Retelling of "Brer Rabbit Grossly Deceives Mr. Fox"
Graphic Organizer for Contrast Paragraph Composition
Compound Sentences Review - Three Methods of Coordination

Characterization - A Different Trickster
Introduction
"A Debt Made Profit"
Characterization Composition
Graphic Organizer for Multi-Paragraph Composition
For Further Thinking

Opinion Writing
Multi-Paragraph Opinion Writing Assignment
Directions to the Student
"Brer Fox Follows the Fashion"
Graphic Organizer for Multi-Paragraph Composition

Follow - Up Activities
Trickster Tales from Other Cultures
Note-Taking Exercise

Creative Writing

Bibliography

Appendices - Graphic Organizers, Templates, and Proofreading Checklists
Appendix A: Single Paragraph
Appendix B: Elaborated Paragraph
Appendix C: Multi-Paragraph
Appendix D: Transitional Words and Phrases