Literature: Themes of Non-African Folktales for JSS 3

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: Approximately 14 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: English Studies
Curriculum Theme: Literature
Previous Lesson: Grammar/Structure: Adverbials and Tenses, Tenses in Peace and Computer Literacy
Topic: Literature
Subject Matter: Themes of Non-African folktales: Didactic, Entertainment, Archaic

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Describe themes of Non-African Folktales.
• Describe key features, themes and moral lessons of selected folktales.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the cultural values and storytelling traditions embedded in non-African folktales.
• Participate actively in discussions about folktale themes and lessons.

Psychomotor Domain

• Read and interpret excerpts from non-African folktales to identify themes.
• Present identified themes and moral lessons orally.

Social Domain

• Collaborate effectively in group discussions to analyse folktale content.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2014 Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable English Language textbook for JSS 3
• FCT ERC/NAPPS Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Selected non-African folktales (e.g., “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” “The Crane Wife”) printed or projected.
• Whiteboard or chalkboard and markers/chalk.
• Charts illustrating common folktale themes.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps students broaden their understanding of literary genres by exploring folktales from diverse cultures. It develops their critical thinking and analytical skills as they identify and interpret themes and moral lessons. Understanding these tales also fosters an appreciation for universal human experiences and values.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students have a basic understanding of what folktales are and can identify simple moral lessons from stories.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Literature

Themes of Non-African Folktales

Non-African folktales are traditional stories originating from cultures outside the African continent, passed down orally through generations. These tales often serve various purposes, which can be categorised into different themes.

Didactic Theme

The didactic theme in non-African folktales refers to stories primarily intended to teach a moral lesson, convey wisdom, or instruct on proper behaviour. They aim to educate the audience, especially younger listeners, about societal values, consequences of actions, and life principles.

Examples of folktales with didactic themes include:

1. “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” (European): Teaches about the consequences of lying and the loss of trust.
2. “Little Red Riding Hood” (European): Warns against talking to strangers and highlights the dangers of disobedience.
3. “The Tortoise and the Hare” (Aesop’s Fable, European): Teaches the value of steady effort over arrogance and speed.
4. “The Crane Wife” (Japanese): Illustrates the consequences of greed and breaking trust.

Entertainment Theme

The entertainment theme focuses on amusing the audience, providing enjoyment, and offering an escape from everyday life. These stories are often filled with adventure, humour, fantasy, and engaging characters, making them enjoyable to listen to or read.

Examples of folktales with entertainment themes include:

1. “Jack and the Beanstalk” (European): A tale of adventure, magic, and a young boy’s bravery against a giant.
2. “Cinderella” (European): A story of transformation, magic, and finding happiness, often enjoyed for its fantastical elements.
3. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (American): A spooky tale designed to entertain and thrill with its supernatural elements.

Archaic Theme

The archaic theme in non-African folktales refers to stories that preserve ancient customs, beliefs, traditions, or historical events of a particular culture. These tales often reflect the worldview, social structures, and historical memory of the people from which they originate, even if the events are fictionalised.

Examples of folktales with archaic themes include:

1. Myths and legends (e.g., Greek, Norse): While often more complex than simple folktales, many preserve ancient beliefs about gods, heroes, and the origins of the world.
2. Local legends about specific landmarks or historical figures: These tales often explain the origins of natural features or commemorate past events, reflecting ancient understandings.
3. Stories featuring ancient rituals or social norms: Tales that depict old ways of life, ceremonies, or social hierarchies that might no longer be common.

Key Features of Non-African Folktales

Non-African folktales share several common characteristics:

1. Oral Tradition: They were originally passed down by word of mouth before being written.
2. Simple Language: Often use straightforward language, making them accessible to a wide audience.
3. Supernatural Elements: Frequently include magic, mythical creatures, or talking animals.
4. Stock Characters: Feature archetypal characters like the hero, villain, wise old person, or trickster.
5. Clear Moral Lessons: Many, especially didactic ones, have a clear message or lesson.
6. Timeless Settings: Often set in a distant, unspecified past (“once upon a time”).

Moral Lessons from Non-African Folktales

The moral lessons conveyed in non-African folktales are diverse and often universal. Some common lessons include:

1. The importance of honesty and truthfulness.
2. The rewards of kindness, perseverance, and hard work.
3. The dangers of greed, pride, and disobedience.
4. The value of courage, cleverness, and resourcefulness.
5. The consequences of making poor choices.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Guided Reading, Group Work, Storytelling.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall what they know about folktales, including any they have heard or read. The teacher then introduces the topic of non-African folktales and their themes.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions about folktales and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Introduction to folktales

Step 2: Introduction to Non-African Folktales and Themes

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what non-African folktales are and introduces the three main themes to be discussed: didactic, entertainment, and archaic. The teacher provides a general overview of each theme.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarification, and take initial notes.

Learning Point: Understanding non-African folktales

Step 3: Exploring the Didactic Theme

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Discussion/Examples

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the didactic theme in detail, emphasising its purpose of teaching moral lessons. The teacher then reads or summarises a non-African folktale with a clear didactic theme (e.g., “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”) and guides students to identify the lesson.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the story, discuss its purpose, and identify the moral lesson with guidance.

Learning Point: Identifying didactic themes

Step 4: Exploring the Entertainment Theme

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Storytelling/Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the entertainment theme, highlighting how these stories aim to amuse and engage. The teacher then reads or summarises a folktale known for its entertainment value (e.g., “Jack and the Beanstalk”) and discusses how it provides enjoyment.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the story, identify elements that make it entertaining, and discuss its appeal.

Learning Point: Recognising entertainment themes

Step 5: Exploring the Archaic Theme

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Cultural Context

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the archaic theme, focusing on how these tales preserve old customs, beliefs, or historical insights. The teacher provides examples of how certain non-African folktales reflect ancient traditions or worldviews.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to explanations, ask questions about ancient customs, and understand the historical aspect of tales.

Learning Point: Understanding archaic themes

Step 6: Key Features and Moral Lessons

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarisation/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key features common to non-African folktales (e.g., oral tradition, simple language, supernatural elements) and reiterates the general moral lessons often found in them.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils recall and list the key features and moral lessons discussed.

Learning Point: Key features and morals

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What are the three main themes of non-African folktales discussed today?
2. Give an example of a didactic non-African folktale and its moral lesson.
3. How does an entertainment-themed folktale differ from a didactic one?
4. Mention two key features common to non-African folktales.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessment of understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on themes and features of non-African folktales into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly reinforces the main lesson idea, reminding students that folktales from around the world offer valuable insights into different cultures while often conveying universal truths and entertainment. The teacher encourages students to explore more non-African folktales.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and reflect on the importance of folktales.

Learning Point: Reinforcement of themes

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Research and write a short summary (about 100-150 words) of a non-African folktale you find interesting. In your summary, clearly identify:

1. The title of the folktale and its country of origin.
2. Its main theme (didactic, entertainment, or archaic).
3. The moral lesson or primary purpose of the story, if applicable.

Lesson Keywords

• Folktales – Traditional stories passed down orally.
• Non-African – Originating from cultures outside the African continent.
• Didactic – Intended to teach a moral lesson or convey wisdom.
• Entertainment – Intended to amuse or provide enjoyment.
• Archaic – Preserving ancient customs, beliefs, or traditions.
• Theme – The central idea or underlying message of a story.
• Moral Lesson – The teaching or message conveyed by a story.
• Features – Distinctive characteristics of something.

Differentiation

For students who struggle, provide simplified summaries of folktales and direct them to specific sentences or paragraphs to identify themes. For advanced learners, encourage them to compare and contrast themes across different non-African cultures or analyse the symbolism within the stories.

Suggested Lesson Videos

YouTube search for “Themes of Non-African Folktales JSS 3”