Dear SEP Families,
In Session 3, students traced the connections between folk culture and their own local culture--both in their families and their communities. We discussed how folk culture has evolved over time, and then applied those ideas to discuss family traditions, such as how we celebrate certain holidays, and how family traditions are passed down from generation to generation. We also looked at why fairy tales have made a comeback in contemporary popular media, and why the ideas of "Once Upon a Time" and "Happily Ever After" are appealing.
The students really enjoyed examining how folk culture is created and distributed. To understand how culture is learned and passed down we used a very SEP example--friendship bracelets. Students were given the opportunity to create a friendship bracelet, but had to first teach other students in the class how to either make a bracelet or learn a new design. This illustrated the concept that folk culture is passed down orally or by practice. This example also proved to be a challenge to the students because they had to teach their classmates how to create the bracelets without the benefit of technology, such as YouTube. Students quickly saw the challenge of explaining a handcraft, and then saw how variations arise (i.e., the one being taught mixed up a pattern rather).
In Session 3, students traced the connections between folk culture and their own local culture--both in their families and their communities. We discussed how folk culture has evolved over time, and then applied those ideas to discuss family traditions, such as how we celebrate certain holidays, and how family traditions are passed down from generation to generation. We also looked at why fairy tales have made a comeback in contemporary popular media, and why the ideas of "Once Upon a Time" and "Happily Ever After" are appealing.
The students really enjoyed examining how folk culture is created and distributed. To understand how culture is learned and passed down we used a very SEP example--friendship bracelets. Students were given the opportunity to create a friendship bracelet, but had to first teach other students in the class how to either make a bracelet or learn a new design. This illustrated the concept that folk culture is passed down orally or by practice. This example also proved to be a challenge to the students because they had to teach their classmates how to create the bracelets without the benefit of technology, such as YouTube. Students quickly saw the challenge of explaining a handcraft, and then saw how variations arise (i.e., the one being taught mixed up a pattern rather).
Resources for Continued Learning
Books that your student might find interesting:
· The Seven Wild Sister: A Modern Fairy Tale by Charles de Lint
· Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls by Jane Yolen
· Once Upon a Time: A Short History of Fairy Tale by Marina Warner
Websites with great information about fairy tales and folk culture:
· American Folk Life Center: http://www.loc.gov/folklife/cwc/
· American Folk Lore Society: http://www.afsnet.org/
· World of Folktales: http://www.worldoftales.com/folktales.html
Films and documentaries about folk culture:
· American Roots Music (PBS)
· A Night of Fairy Tales: A Very Grimm Reading (The University of Arizona)
Podcasts:
· Myths and Legends: https://www.mythpodcast.com/
· Lore: http://www.lorepodcast.com/
Thank you for being a part of SEP 2016 Session 3!
· The Seven Wild Sister: A Modern Fairy Tale by Charles de Lint
· Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls by Jane Yolen
· Once Upon a Time: A Short History of Fairy Tale by Marina Warner
Websites with great information about fairy tales and folk culture:
· American Folk Life Center: http://www.loc.gov/folklife/cwc/
· American Folk Lore Society: http://www.afsnet.org/
· World of Folktales: http://www.worldoftales.com/folktales.html
Films and documentaries about folk culture:
· American Roots Music (PBS)
· A Night of Fairy Tales: A Very Grimm Reading (The University of Arizona)
Podcasts:
· Myths and Legends: https://www.mythpodcast.com/
· Lore: http://www.lorepodcast.com/
Thank you for being a part of SEP 2016 Session 3!
