Folktales: Pourquoi Tales
These sites explain what pourqoui tales are and offer tips for writing them. Read numerous online examples of these legends, which offer explanations for different elements in nature. There is a link to an eThemes Resources to online children’s stories and tall tales.
Grades
- 3,
- 4,
- 5,
- 6
Links
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Scholastic: Teaching With Pourquoi Tales
This site explains what a pourquoi tale and has some examples. There are also some tips on tying them into lessons on math and science.
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Animal, Myths & Legends
Click on "Legends" to read a variety of legends from different cultures and a variety of pourquoi tales.
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Cherokee Stories
This site has several Cherokee legends about animals.
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Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
This book, which won the Caldecott Award, is an African pourquoi tale. Check your school or local library for a copy.
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eThemes Resource: Folktales: Tall Tales
This is a collection of literature sites with online tall tales from America. Includes tall tales and information about Paul Bunyan, Davy Crockett, John Henry, Annie Oakley, and Slue-Foot Sue. Learn what tall tales are and their common characteristics. There is also an eThemes Resource on fables, another form of folktales.
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eThemes Resource: Literature: Online Stories for Children
These sites have free online stories for children to read. Most stories include illustrations. There are some that have audio files so you can also listen to the story. Includes classic stories and original ones.
Education Standards
- MO
- IL
