Everyday Arts Challenge: Myth Maker
Ever heard the superstition that opening an umbrella indoors brings bad luck? What about the one that says finding a penny brings good luck? Make up a new superstition. See if anyone believes it.
Folklore

Lesson: Exploring American Tall Tales
Students will explore the common elements of folktales and tall tales while learning how these tales built the spirit of the American people.
America, Folklore

Lesson: Multi-Media Hero Analysis
In a world with few real heroes, students will recognize the positive character traits of heroes as depicted in music, art and literature.
Folklore, World Cultures

Lesson: Swing Your Partner: The Basics of Square Dancing
This lesson will introduce students to the history of square dancing as well as provide an opportunity to learn some basic steps and formations.
Dance, Folklore

Lesson: What a Character
In this lesson, students analyze how a character's personality traits, actions and motives influence the plot of a story.
Folklore, Literature

Cuesheet: The Hemsing Sisters: Performance & Demonstration
Meet Norwegian violinists Ragnhild and Eldbjørg Hemsing, sisters who have been playing together since the ages of five and seven. Get to know the Hemsing sisters and their musical style as they perform a diverse program of classical masterpieces, in addition to some lesser-known, traditional Norwegian folk songs
Europe, Folklore, Theater, Family

Cuesheet: Backa Teater: Little King Mattias
What happens when an 11-year-old boy becomes king of a troubled kingdom? Come along and find out as Sweden’s Backa Teater brings a 1923 children’s novel to life on stage as a play—and a problem-solving adventure that requires your help!
Europe, Folklore, Theater

Cuesheet: Teatret Gruppe 38's Hans Christian, You Must Be an Angel
Stories about the ugly duckling, the little mermaid, and the nightingale all came from the imagination of one writer, Hans Christian Andersen. And you’re invited to a theatrical dinner party for him
Folklore, World Cultures, Theater

Cuesheet: Teatret Gruppe 38's A Sonatina
See how everyday items transform through the magic of live performance to help tell the tale of the little girl and the big bad wolf.
World Cultures, Theater, Folklore, Comedy

Cuesheet: NSO Young People's Concert: Summon the Heroes!
Join the National Symphony Orchestra for a rousing concert celebrating heroes
Composers, Folklore, Music, Orchestra

Cuesheet: Marionetas de la Esquina of Mexico's Sleeping Beauty Dreams
Sleeping Beauty Dreams reimagines the classic fairytale, using humorous storytelling and whimsical puppetry to awake the sleeping princess as never before
Folklore, Puppets, Latin America

Theme: Things That Go Bump In The Night
Welcome, foolish mortals. Haunted music and monsters are just the beginning--this Halloween, look here for more spooky resources.
Folklore, Music, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Theater

Theme: Animals
How does an actor become a chihuahua? How do you get a school of fish to perform on on a dry stage? Jump into the animal kingdom with both flippers!
Animals, Folklore, Nature, Puppets

Theme: Asian-Pacific Islander
Artists from Indonesia set out on a cultural exchange with the Chicago theater scene. Watch a demonstration of Javanese dance, and learn all about the monkey dance from Bali.
Asia, World Cultures, Folklore, Dance

Tipsheet: Beyond Food & Fiestas
Practical ideas for creating authentic cultural experiences for your students
Folklore, Language, Music, World Cultures

Article: Formal Visual Analysis: The Elements & Principles of Composition
Help students build techniques to interpret what they see into written words using art
Education, Folklore, Language

Lesson: Moving Tales
Students practice using their bodies to communicate through movement, improvisation, and pantomime games. Groups then read and interpret an assigned Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale
Dance, Folklore, Literature, Physical Activity

Lesson: Discovering Russian Folk Dance
Students will learn the Russian folk dance "Troika." Then, they will work in groups of three (the traditional grouping used in the "Troika") to research Russian culture and history.
Europe, Dance, Folklore

Lesson: Searching For Cinderella
There are more than 300 versions and variations of the tale known as "Cinderella."
Folklore, Literature, World Cultures

Lesson: Tall Tales Today
In this lesson, students are introduced to the genre of American tall tales and will create an original tall tale featuring a "larger-than life" main character.
America, Folklore, Literature

Lesson: Haunting Music
Learn about orchestral “program music” inspired by the spooky and bizarre.
Musical Instruments, Music, Orchestra, Folklore

Lesson: Explorers’ Experience
Students will learn about world explorers by researching facts and information relating to the routes traveled. They will discuss what motivates people to want to discover and explore new places.
Innovators & Pioneers, Geography, Folklore, World Cultures

Lesson: Finding Your Own Frog Prince
Students will use a traditional tale, “The Frog Prince,” and Jon Scieszka’s variation of it, The Frog Prince Continued, to create improvised scenes and then a book for a mini-musical.
Folklore, Musicals, Popular Culture

Lesson: Moccasins Are Made for Dancing
Students will read either of Tomie DePaola’s versions of two Native American legends: The Legend of the Bluebonnet or The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush.
Dance, Folklore, Native America, World Cultures

Lesson: King Arthur: Man or Legend
In this lesson, students will learn about the legend of King Arthur as depicted in stories, poems, and artwork.
Europe, Literature, Folklore