Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Myths, Legends, Tall Tales, Fables

Choosing the best!
When selecting quality traditional literature to include in your classroom, there are many things that should be taken into consideration:

• ages, interests, and prior knowledge of reader
• true representations of the oral storytelling style
• teaches appreciation of culture and art from different countries
• portrays the culture accurate and not stereotypically
• uses dialects and languages of different countries
• inspires creativity through artistic expression
• acknowledges the goodness, compassion, bravery, and the human struggles of people from other parts of the world
• award winning titles
• multiple varieties of the same tales

 Notes for classroom use:
Fairy tales, folk takes, myths, legends, tall tales, and fables are all traditional types of stories. In tradition they have been told orally. Keep this tradition alive in the classroom. Share the stories through read-alouds and make sharing these stories a fun and learning experience. Encourage students to create their own fairy tales keeping their own cultural traditions in mind. Encourage student to create and share fractured fairy tales. Compare tales from different cultures and analyze what makes them different. Discuss how those differences affect the story and what they can teach about the different cultures. Encourage critical literacy in students by sharing stories that tell the tales from multiple perspectives.

Examples of Quality:
Ella Enchanted (1997) by Gail Carson Levine - Fractured Fairy Tale
According to the CCSS "complex text" standards, this book is considered complex for grades 2-3. However, with consideration of the format, text features (such as switch in perspectives), and length, I would consider this book to be an appropriate independent read for 4th grade.
When used as a read aloud, this book would be most appropriate for 2nd-3rd graders.
throughout this text, multiple layers of meaning are revealed. Ad the narrator of the story, Ella is cursed with the enchantment of obedience. This curse causes her to struggle with issues of loyalty, pride, self-esteem, and authentic love (issues that many students would face today). Levine's  creativity is delightfully portrayed in this this tale through the languages created for ogres, elves, and people. By supporting this text with discussion, more traditional Cinderella tales, and read-aloud/think-alouds, comprehension for all students can be more greatly achieved.

Adelita (2002) by Tomie dePaola - A Mexican Cinderella Story
This text would be considered a "complex text" for the CCSS in the grade span of 2nd-3rd grade. As a read aloud, this text would be perfect for 2nd grade. With the theme of good prevailing evil, Adelita brings insight into Mexican culture and tradition. The integration of Spanish Paola adds to this story brings the rich culture alive. As Adelita struggles with oppression from "evil", a representation of contoll (which can be seen at local, national, and global levels is represented). In order to support students understanding of this text, activities such as class discussion, a guest speaker from the Mexican culture, and exposure to multiple Cinderella texts can help.