wabanaki folktale PROJECT
Standards:
• ELA 1 (identify elements of a story)
• ELA 3 (use the strategies of the writing process to produce a short story)
• ELA 4 (language usage & mechanics)
• ELA 5 (oral presentation)
Folktales all have common elements, and yours will, too:
• characters - often animals that act like humans, or a legendary figure, with a central main
character and only a few supporting characters (not too busy or complicated)
• moral or lesson - teaches a lesson or explains something about the world
• includes dialogue - conversation between characters
• has some imagery - describing in detail where the story takes place
• has a major conflict - the opposing force the main character must overcome to find resolution
• short - 500 words (1 typed page) to 1,500 words (3 typed pages)
STORY CHECKLIST
√
Has a clear beginning, middle conflict, and end
Sequence of events is easy to follow
Has clear main character who is well described
Describes the setting
Includes examples of imagery
Includes at least two examples of correctly punctuated dialogue
Has a clear moral or lesson that makes sense and fits the story
Writing flows well, with strong word choice that fits the purpose
Clearly shows each of the five elements of a story (plot, character, conflict, theme,
setting)
Between 500-1,500 words
Includes title that relates to story
Formatted correctly, with size 12 or 14 font, double spaced
Includes name, class, date and word count in upper right hand corner
Has correct spelling, grammar and mechanics
Has been proofread, spell checked, and all typos have been fixed
wabanaki folktale PROJECT
WRITTEN FOLKTALE RUBRIC
Exceeds
Meets
Partially meets
Does Not Meet
characters are very
creative, believable and
thoroughly described
characters are mostly
believable and
generally clearly
described
characters are only
somewhat believable or
don’t make sense,
may not be clearly
described
characters are not
described or are not
believable for the
story
Setting
setting fits the story, is
creatively and clearly
described using imagery,
making the reader feel
“there”
setting fits the story,
is clearly described
using some imagery
setting only somewhat
fits the story, and/or is
not clearly described
with imagery
setting is not
described
Dialogue
correctly and creatively
uses several examples of
dialogue
correctly uses at
least two examples of
dialogue
uses at least one
example of dialogue,
may not be correctly
punctuated
does not use dialogue
Plot and
Conflict
sequence of events is
creative, clear and easy
to follow, makes sense,
skillfully shows action
and conflict
sequence of events is
clear and easy to
follow, makes sense,
shows action and
conflict
sequence of events
may be hard to follow
or parts may not make
sense, may not clearly
show action or conflict
sequence of events is
difficult or impossible
to follow, makes little
sense, fails to show
action and conflict
Moral/
Lesson
(Theme)
has a clear moral or
lesson which fits
excellently and cleverly
into the story
has a moral or
lesson, which fits into
the story
may have a moral or
lesson, but is hard to
identify, or does not fit
with the story
does not have a
moral or lesson
very few errors in
grammar, spelling or
mechanics
few errors in
grammar, spelling or
mechanics
several errors in
grammar, spelling or
mechanics
errors in grammar,
spelling or mechanics
interfere with
understanding
dialogue is punctuated
correctly
dialogue is generally
punctuated correctly
may not punctuate
dialogue correctly
shows outstanding
creativity and original
thought
shows creativity and
original thought
shows some creativity
and original thought
is generally in the
style of a folktale or
legend
is only partially in the
style of a folktale or
legend
uses language,
vocabulary and word
choice with
awareness of
audience and
purpose.
uses language,
vocabulary and word
choice with little
awareness of audience
and purpose.
Characters
Grammar,
Spelling &
Mechanics
Overall
Quality of
Writing
is clearly in the style of a
folktale or legend
uses language and word
choice in a powerful and
engaging way with a
clear command of
audience and purpose.
does not punctuate
dialogue correctly
shows little to no
creativity or original
thought
is not in the style of a
folktale or legend
shows poor language
usage with little
awareness of audience
and purpose.
wabanaki folktale PROJECT
Oral Presentation - Storytelling Assignment
Assignment: Now that you’ve written a folktale, you’ll have a chance to present it to
the class as a Storyteller! This is an oral presentation grade (ELA 5), so we’ll have lots of
time to practice.
Step 1: Make sure you have a clean, printed copy of your story. If it’s hard for you to
read, you may want to make the text larger (try 16 point double spaced).
Step 2: Read silently to yourself. Try to “hear” your voice in your head while you read.
You can even move your lips silently while you’re “reading” your story. If this is difficult
for you, you might try using the text-to-speech feature on your laptop, and have the
computer read your story to you. Mark any spots on your paper that might be tricky for
you to say out loud later (names, etc.).
Step 3: Look at your Plot Mountain - where is the “high point” in your story where you
should be getting excited? Where are the low points? Make some notes in your text
about when you might use character voices, or gestures and body language.
Step 4: Practice with a partner. Read your story aloud to your partner, and have them
fill out an audience review sheet. When they have finished, discuss what you did well
and what you could fix, and make some notes for yourself. Then read the story again,
trying to make those changes suggested by your partner.
Step 5: If there’s time, repeat step 4 with a different partner! The more you read your
story, the better you’ll get at telling it.
Step 6 - Homework: Read the story out loud at least 5 times to yourself, but not back
to back (space it out a bit!). Read the story to a family member or friend outside of
school, and have them complete an audience review sheet. Make note of any changes or
additions you want to make, and then practice one more time on your own before you
go to bed, or on the bus on the way in.
STORYTELLING BEGINS ON WEDNESDAY, 4/25!
wabanaki folktale PROJECT
WRITTEN FOLKTALE RUBRIC
Voice
(how do you
sound?)
Face/Body/
Gesture
(how do you
act?)
Focus
(are you with
it and are
people with
you?)
Presentation
(are you
relaxed and
confident?)
Pacing
(are you
talking too
fast?)
Exceeds
Meets
Partially meets
Does Not Meet
Speaks with an
appropriate volume
for the audience to
hear. Employs clear
enunciation. Uses
highly expressive
vocal expression to
clarify the meaning of
the text.
Speaks with an
appropriate volume
for the audience to
hear. Employs
generally clear
enunciation. Uses
non-monotonous
vocal expression to
clarify the meaning of
the text.
Speaks with an
appropriate volume
some of the time, but
may be hard to hear.
Enunciation is only soso, not clear enough.
Sometimes uses
monotonous vocal
expression.
Does not speak with
an appropriate
volume, or is hard to
hear and understand.
Uses monotonous
vocal expression.
Expressively uses
non-verbal
communication,
gestures and body
language to enhance
understanding of
text.
Uses some nonverbal
communication,
gestures and body
language to enhance
understanding of
text.
Uses very little nonverbal communication
to enhance
understanding of the
text; mostly just reads
off the page.
Storyteller makes no
attempt to use body
language or nonverbal
communication.
Concentration is
clear.
Eye contact with
audience is highly
engaging.
Maintains a
charismatic presence
in space (stage
presence).
Concentration is
clear.
Somewhat engages
the audience.
Maintains good
presence in space
(stage presence).
Concentration may not
be clear. Storyteller
rarely engages the
audience, and has poor
stage presence.
Storyteller is
unfocused and not
concentrating on the
story, and/or makes
no attempt to engage
the audience.
Storyteller seems
comfortable, relaxed
and confident in front
of listeners.
Storyteller is
generally relaxed and
confident in front of
listeners.
Storyteller may be
openly nervous or show
a lack of confidence at
times.
Storyteller shows
great lack of
confidence from not
being prepared.
Storyteller speaks at
a good pace, without
speaking too fast or
two slowly. The story
is presented
efficiently and keeps
listeners' interest
throughout.
Storyteller speaks at
an acceptable pace,
without speaking too
fast or two slowly.
Storyteller may not
speak at a good pace,
speaking too fast or
two slowly at times.
Storyteller speaks at
an inappropriate
pace, either too fast
or too slow.