Grade level: Second
 

Subjects: Language Arts, Social Studies, Technology, Science

Learner Outcomes:

• The student will identify one exaggeration from Steven Kellogg's Pecos Bill .
• The student will write one complete sentence.
• The student will illustrate their sentence.

Materials:

• White drawing paper or white bond paper
• Colored pencils, pencil, or crayons
• Pecos Bill  by Steven Kellogg

Technology Tools/ Courseware:

• Multimedia computer with Internet access and PowerPoint capabilities
• Data projector

• Be sure to have their Internet usage consent forms signed by all students.
• Write a letter to parents for supplies needed during unit.
• Collect a selection of tall tale stories.
• Teacher may choose to use Microsoft Word and Paint.

Procedures:
1.Lead a discussion about tall tales. Ask the following types of questions:

• Who would like to tell me what a tall tale is?
• What are some titles of tall tales you have read?
• Can you name any tall tale heroes?
• Do these tall tales use exaggerations?
• Why do you think storytellers told tall tales?

• A larger-than-life, or superhuman, main character with a specific job.
• A problem that is solved in a funny way.
• Exaggerated details that describe things as greater than they really are.
• Characters who use everyday language.
• Told by storyteller as if he/she knew the main character or had actually seen the exaggerated events take place.

• Student lessons will be modified according to IEP specifications. Exceptional students may require more time. Pairing with another student may be beneficial.

Enrichment Activities:

• Log on  for activities .
• Research a related topic such as cowboys, over harvesting forests, tornadoes, or Big and Little Dipper.
• Identify the adjectives in a tall tale selection.
• Have a Star Party at night (at a local observatory or contact the local astronomy society.)
• Study similes or hyperbole .
• Research Texas festivals for one honoring Pecos Bill.
• Learn the Texas Two Step.
• Do study of tall tale animal's habits and habitats.
• Paul Bunyan History

West Virginia Standards:

Listening/Speaking/Viewing

2.5 1, 5,6,7,8  listen to a story, remember information to interpret or extend meaning, evaluate material, or perform a task
2.8 1  hearing a narrative, utilize pictures as well as print options to enhance comprehension (e.g., illustrate part of a story and label with a sentence)

Reading Comprehension
2.19 1,3,4,5, 6,7,8,9,10,11 read literary works by national and international authors to include, but not limited to: humor, irony, make-believe, fiction, nonfiction, fairy tales, tall tales, and poetry
2.23 5,6,7,8,9,11 analyze the organizational structure, author's style, and text characteristics to determine genre
2.32 use figurative language (e.g., similes, metaphors)
2.49 participate in creative responses in texts

Composition
2.77 compose a simple sentence using a subject and predicate

Social Studies

2.24  explore American heritage through children's literature

Computer/Technology

2.34  execute a program from disk and/or CD-ROM

 
Science
2.30 3,5,6,7,8,9,10  observe, classify, compare, investigate, record and discuss needs
of living things in different environments - systems

National Standards

 
 

Writing
Uses writing and other methods (e.g., drawing pictures, using letters or phonetically spelled words, telling, dictating, making lists) to describe familiar persons, places, objects, or experiences
Uses complete sentences in written compositions
Uses descriptive words to convey basic ideas

Reading
Uses reading skills and strategies to understand a variety of familiar literary passages and texts (e.g., fairy tales, folk tales, fiction, nonfiction, legends, fables, myths, poems, nursery rhymes, picture books, predictable books)
Knows the defining characteristics of a variety of literary forms and genres( e.g., fairy tales, folk tales, fiction, nonfiction, myths, poems, fables, fantasies, historical fiction, biographies, autobiographies, chapter books)

Listening and SpeakingAsks and responds to questions
Makes contributions in class and group discussions (e.g., recounts personal experiences, reports on ideas and personal knowledge about a topic, initiates conversations, connects ideas and experiences with those of others)

References:

Pecos Bill   by Steven Kellogg
Tall Tales
Titles
Storytellers
Activities

Authors:

SharonAdkins , Flinn Elementary
Katrina Flanagan , Flinn Elementary
Becky Rollyson , Flinn Elementary

 

Introduction	Lesson 1: How Tall is a Tall Tale?	Lesson 2:  What's Inside a Tall Tale?	Lesson 3:  What's the Real Story?	Lesson 4:  Lights, Camera, Action!	Lesson 5:  Tell a Whopper, Stretch the Truth!

Top of Page