3321: Traditional Literature

Traditional literature is a form of stories passed on from generation to another through oral storytelling, mostly narrated with no identified authors. These stories are mostly used to explain the origin of natural events and reveal the social, political, and spiritual beliefs of society. The different types of traditional literature include stories such as folktales, fables, myths, and legends.

Traditional literature can be used in a classroom to do many things. We can simply use them for storytelling, explaining certain issues going on in the world, and also to teach values. As teachers we are going to hear of many family problems from the children, especially the younger ones, and we can simply read a book that can help the child feel a little better about the situation. He/She can gain some information from the story or just feel like this can happen to anybody, not just him/her. Another way we can use traditional literature in a classroom is allowing the children to make up their own stories (either in a group or alone). This will allow us to get them sharing stories and motivating them to write. One example was when we re-wrote the Cinderella story using our own culture and interest. You will be surprised what children will come up with. This will allow them to use their imagination and creativity to tell us what they feel at that specific moment.

I definitely will use traditional literature in my classroom because I am very strong on values. These stories can help the children learn certain values and at the same time be entertaining to them. I know when I was a child I loved when my mother would read me books like Snow White, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast. I just love that all these endings ended up as happily ever after. This can be good for many children going through family problems, they can feel like everything will be o.k. in the end. Another thing I like about traditional literature is that so much information can be gained. For example with the realistic tales children will be able to learn about people who actually did exist and with humorous folktales be able to get a laugh or a smile from this kind of folktale. There are many advantageous from reading traditional literature, we just have to pick the right type for that specific lesson we are trying to teach.