The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County Lesson Plan

Tall Tale Presentation

Kind of Activity:

Group Work

Objective:

Students will explore the nature of the tall tale.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.5

Structure:

To begin the activity, explain to students that Wheeler’s story is known as a “tall tale.” Tall tales are an important genre in United States folklore and folk literature. They are stories meant to entertain and teach the masses.

Then, popcorn read one of the stories from the American Folklore website (https://americanfolklore.net/folklore/tall-tales/). “The Birth of Paul Bunyan” might be one that students are familiar with. These tall tales have helped create the mythology of the United States....