A slideshow with a variety of folktale definitions for elementary.

1. Folktales Around the World

2. What is a folktale?
• A story or legend that has been passed down
from generation to generation
• Usually told orally, not written down

3. Types of Folktales
Fairy Tale
Fable
Tall Tale
Myths
Legends
Pourquoi
Trickster
Native American

4. Fairy Tales
• Special Beginnings/Endings
Once Upon a Time…
…happily ever after.
• Magic and Enchantments
magic wands, spells, talking animals
• Good Characters and Bad Characters
Cinderella and Evil Step-mother
• Rich and Poor
King and Servant

5. Fables
• A Short Story
• A lesson or “moral” is learned
• Talking Animals
• Problem and Solution
“Tortoise and the Hare”
“Lion and the Mouse”

6. Tall Tales
• Story may be based on a historical person or event
• Characters or events are exaggerated
“Paul Bunyan”
“Pecos Bill”

7. Myths
• Story explains how things came to be
• Ancient Stories
• Gods and Goddesses
• Heroes
“King Midas and
the Golden Touch”

8. Legends
• A story believed to be based on real people or
historical events
• Characters have heroic qualities
“Johnny Appleseed”
“John Henry”

9. Pourquoi
• Pourquoi means “why” in French
• A pourquoi story explains “why” something is the
way that it is
• How and Why Stories
• Long, long ago…
“How the Leopard Got Its Spots”

10. Trickster Tales
• A story with a problem solved in a “tricky” way
• Usually has a lesson or “moral”
• Common Trickster Characters:
wolf, fox, coyote, rabbit, crow, spider

11. Native American
• Folktales and myths vary from different regions and
tribes
• Usually told in the oral tradition
• Myths, Legends, Trickster, Creation
and Animal Stories are common

12. References
Clip art for teachers, crafters, scrapbookers. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20,
2018, from https://edu-clips.com/
Gunther, E. (2017, May 19). Native American Literature. Retrieved
April 20, 2018, from https://www.britannica.com/art/Native-
American-literature
Schlosser, S. E. (n.d.). Teacher Resources. Retrieved April 20, 2018, from
http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/teacher-resources/

13. References
Tarman, L. (n.d.). Make it Cute with Borders Freebie. Retrieved April 20,
2018, from http://teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Lisa-Tarman