Legends are usually based upon a real person with exaggeration added to the story to make it much more interesting. Folk tales have a moral of the story placed in them to teach a lesson to the reader. Students enjoy legends and folk tales because they see how different situations affect characters’ lives. Students sometimes pretend to be one of the characters in a story, experiencing the same adventures as the character. Perhaps through this experience, they will not make the same mistakes as the character.

Multicultural Legends and Tales uses ten multicultural legends, four of which are Caldecott Medal and Honor Books (books not included). Each unit includes activities to promote critical and creative thinking. They include questions based upon Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, independent research and planning activities, and creative writing projects. Following the ten units are culminating activities covering all the stories.

The books used are The Legend of the Bluebonnet, by T. De Paola, Arrow to the Sun, by G. McDermott; The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses, by G. Goble Strega Nona, by T. De Paola; Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, by J. Steptoe, Anansi the Spider, by G. McDermott; Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears, by V. Aardema; Lon Po Po, by E. Young; Once a Mouse, by M. Brown; and The Talking Eggs, by R. Sans Souci.

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Grades 1–4.

The lessons and activities in this book align with the following Common Core State Standards*:
CCSS.ELA-RL.1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.10; W.1.1, 1.2, 1.3; SL.1.1, 1.1a, 1.1b, 1.1c, 1.2, 1.3,1.6
CCSS.ELA-RL.2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.10; W.2.2, 2.3, 2.5; SL.2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.6
CCSS.ELA-RL.3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.10; W.3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5; SL.3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6
CCSS.ELA-RL.4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.10; W.4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5; SL.4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6

Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.

By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the [grade- level] text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.

Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.
Speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification.

*Authors: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers
Title: Common Core State Standards English Language Arts
Publisher: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D.C.
Copyright Date: 2010