A folktale on Reward and Punishment
Subject : English Grammar
Term : Second Term
Week : Week 6
Topic : A folktale on Reward and Punishment
Learning Objectives :
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to
- Describe the features of folktales
- Explain the purpose of folktales
- Deduce/infer lessons from the folktales
Learning Activities
- Pupils, in pairs, read a given passage to study the features of folktales, share the description of features with the class orally
- Pupils, in small groups, watch a video clip on the folktale and discuss its purposes to the class
- Pupils, in pairs, say the lessons on Reward and punishment they can derive from the folktales
- Each pupils relates the lessons or morals of the story to their everyday lives
Embedded Core Skills
- Communication and Collaboration
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Leadership skills and Personal Development
- Creativity and Imagination
Learning Materials
- Charts/Pictures on objects like Tortoise, snails, frogs etc
- Wall charts
- Web Resources
Building Background /connection to prior knowledge : Students are familiar with various folktales stories
A folktale on Reward and Punishment
Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the heart of a dense forest, there lived a kind and generous king who ruled over his people with fairness and justice. The villagers lived in peace and prosperity under his rule, and they were grateful to have such a wise and benevolent leader.
One day, a terrible drought struck the land, and the crops began to wither and die. The villagers grew worried and feared for their livelihoods, but the king reassured them that everything would be alright. He ordered his men to search the forest for a solution to the drought, and they soon discovered a magical spring deep in the heart of the forest.
The king knew that the spring was the answer to their prayers, and he ordered his men to build a dam to channel the water from the spring to the village. The villagers were overjoyed and began to plant their crops again, and soon the land was green and bountiful once more.
However, the king also knew that the spring was a precious resource that needed to be protected, so he set a guard to watch over it at all times. He also decreed that anyone who wasted or polluted the water would be punished severely.
The villagers understood the importance of the spring and took great care to use the water wisely. They were rewarded with bountiful harvests, and the village prospered.
One day, a young villager named Jack, who was known for his laziness and carelessness, was caught wasting water from the spring. The king, true to his word, punished him severely. Jack was forced to work in the fields, toiling under the hot sun to make up for his mistake. But even this punishment did not change his ways, and he continued to waste water and neglect his duties.
Finally, the king had had enough and banished Jack from the village. The other villagers were saddened by his fate, but they knew that the king’s punishment was just, and they continued to live in peace and prosperity under his wise and just rule.
From that day on, the villagers remembered the importance of taking care of their resources and the consequences of wasting them. They lived in harmony with nature and the land prospered. The king’s rule was long and just, and his kingdom was known throughout the land as a place of abundance and prosperity.
The end.
Evaluation
- In the folktale, what kind of king ruled over the village? a) A cruel and selfish king b) A wise and benevolent king c) A lazy and uninvolved king
- What was the problem faced by the village in the story? a) A plague of locusts b) A terrible drought c) A devastating flood
- How did the king’s men solve the problem of the drought? a) By building a well b) By building a dam to channel water from a magical spring c) By praying for rain
- How did the villagers react to the king’s solution for the drought? a) They were ungrateful and resentful b) They were overjoyed and grateful c) They were skeptical and doubtful
- What rule did the king make to protect the magical spring? a) Anyone who wasted or polluted the water would be punished b) The spring was off limits to the villagers c) Only the king and his men were allowed to use the water from the spring
- Who was the young villager in the story who was punished for wasting water? a) Jack b) Peter c) John
- How was Jack punished for his carelessness? a) He was forced to work in the fields under the hot sun b) He was banished from the village c) He was imprisoned
- How did the other villagers react to Jack’s punishment? a) They were angry and resentful towards the king b) They were saddened by his fate, but understood the justice of the punishment c) They were happy and relieved
- What did the villagers learn from the story about the importance of taking care of their resources? a) The importance of not wasting resources and the consequences of not doing so. b) The importance of not sharing resources c) The importance of being selfish with resources
- How did the village prosper in the end? a) by living in harmony with nature b) by exploiting nature c) by fighting with nature
Features of a folktales
- Folktales are traditional stories passed down through generations, often with a moral or lesson.
- They typically take place in a rural or pre-industrial setting and involve everyday people as characters.
- Folktales often feature supernatural elements such as magic and mythical creatures.
- The stories often have a clear and simple plot, with a well-defined beginning, middle, and end.
- The characters in folktales are often archetypes, such as the clever hero, the evil witch, and the wise old man.
- The themes in folktales often revolve around good versus evil, with a clear line between the two.
- Folktales often have a clear moral or lesson, teaching about virtues such as honesty, kindness, and hard work.
- Folktales can serve as a way for communities to transmit their values, customs and beliefs from one generation to another.
- Folktales can vary greatly in style and tone, from dark and eerie to light and humorous.
- Folktales can be found in many cultures and around the world, each with their own unique variations and interpretations.
Purposes of Folktales
- To entertain: Folktales are a form of storytelling that have been used to entertain people of all ages for generations. They are often passed down through generations by word of mouth and are enjoyed by both children and adults alike.
- To teach moral values: Folktales often have a clear moral or lesson, teaching about virtues such as honesty, kindness, and hard work. These stories can serve as a way for communities to transmit their values, customs, and beliefs from one generation to another.
- To preserve cultural heritage: Folktales can be found in many cultures and around the world, each with their own unique variations and interpretations. They often reflect the cultural beliefs and traditions of a particular community, and serve as a way to preserve that heritage.
- To explain natural phenomena: Folktales often include supernatural elements such as magic and mythical creatures. They were often used as a way to explain natural phenomena that people couldn’t understand.
- To provide a sense of community: Folktales can serve as a way for people to come together and share stories, creating a sense of community and belonging.
- To provide escapism: Folktales can take the listener or reader to different worlds, time periods or situations that they may not experience in their everyday life. It allows them to experience different emotions and perspectives.
- To provide insight into human nature: Folktales often feature archetypal characters, such as the clever hero, the evil witch, and the wise old man. They can offer insight into human nature and the way people think and behave.
- To provoke critical thinking: Folktales often present a problem that needs solving and the characters have to find ways to overcome them. This can encourage the listener or reader to think critically about the story and its message.
- To provoke emotional response: Folktales can evoke a wide range of emotions in the listener or reader, from fear and sadness to joy and triumph. They can be used to provoke an emotional response in the audience.
- To provide a sense of continuity: Folktales often span multiple generations and are passed down through the ages. They can provide a sense of continuity and connection to the past, present, and future
Evaluation
- What is a common characteristic of folktales? a) They are set in modern urban settings b) They are passed down through generations c) They are written in verse
- What is the typical setting of folktales? a) Urban b) Rural or pre-industrial c) Space
- What kind of characters are often featured in folktales? a) Everyday people b) Superheroes c) Historical figures
- What is the tone of folktales? a) Dark and eerie b) Light and humorous c) Scientific
- What is the structure of folktales? a) Complex and non-linear b) Clear and simple c) Ambiguous
- What themes are often found in folktales? a) Love and relationships b) Good versus evil c) Social commentary
- What do folktales often include as part of their stories? a) Supernatural elements b) Futuristic technology c) Realistic events
- What is the primary purpose of folktales? a) To entertain b) To educate c) To persuade
- What is the role of folktales in preserving cultural heritage? a) They reflect the cultural beliefs and traditions of a particular community b) They reject cultural heritage c) They create cultural heritage
- How do folktales often evoke emotions in the listener or reader? a) By providing a sense of continuity b) By evoking a wide range of emotions c) By using humor.
Lesson Presentation
Introduction (10 minutes):
- Begin by asking students if they have ever heard a folktale before.
- Ask students to share any folktales they know.
- Introduce the folktale on reward and punishment and explain that students will be analyzing it in class today.
Direct Instruction (20 minutes):
- Provide students with a copy of the folktale on reward and punishment.
- Have students read the folktale independently or aloud as a class.
- Discuss the folktale as a class, focusing on the theme of reward and punishment.
- Ask students to identify examples of rewards and punishments in the story, and discuss the impact of these rewards and punishments on the characters and the outcome of the story.
Guided Practice (20 minutes):
- Divide students into small groups and provide each group with chart paper and markers.
- Ask students to create a class chart of the features of folktales.
- As a class, discuss the features of folktales and add them to the chart.
- Repeat the same for the purposes of folktales
Independent Practice (20 minutes):
- Ask students to choose a different folktale and analyze it, identifying the theme of reward and punishment, the features of folktales, and the purposes of folktales.
- Students can present their findings to the class or in small groups.
Closure (10 minutes):
- Review the theme of reward and punishment, the features of folktales, and the purposes of folktales with the class.
- Ask students to share what they learned about folktales from the lesson.
- Encourage students to share any new folktales they have learned with the class.
Assessment:
- Students will be assessed on their ability to identify and analyze the theme of reward and punishment, the features of folktales, and the purposes of folktales in the folktale on reward and punishment as well as in the folktale they have chosen.
- Students will be assessed on their participation in class discussions and their ability to work effectively in small groups.
Note: Depending on the class time you have, you can adapt the time of each activity, add or reduce activities as per your class needs.
