NCCRESt

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Folk Culture

• African Literature in the Secondary English Language Arts Classroom
  Explains how a teacher's trip to Africa reinforced his commitment to a multicultural literature program. Recommends several books that might be incorporated into thematically-driven multicultural units such as "traditional tales," "rites of passage/search for identity," "cultures colliding," and "colonialism and its aftermath." (TB).
• Beyond Fairy Godmothers and Glass Slippers: A Look at Multicultural Variants of Cinderella
  This annotated bibliography presents a collection of multicultural Cinderella variants, all of which allow children to experience the culture within an easily identifiable framework. Variants include African/African American/American South, Asian, Jewish, Latino/Latin American/Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Native American, and other European American.
• Censoring by Omission: Has the United States Progressed in Promoting Diversity through Children's Books?
  Examines the promotion of cultural diversity in the United States through childrens books. Discusses the scarcity of multicultural literature for children, ethnic folklore, racial bias in older books for children, new stereotypes in children's literature, political correctness, and ways to enhance access to quality multicultural literature.
• Developing Health Education for Hispanic Migrant Preschool Youth
  Children of Hispanic migrant farmworkers are more susceptible to health problems than children in the general population. This paper discusses the common health problems seen in these children, highlighting special health needs of preschoolers pertinent to this multicultural population.
• Developing National Identity within Fifth Grade Multicultural Students
  The goal of democratic understanding and civic values is within the history/social science framework. The strand of national identity falls under the goal of democratic understanding and civic values.
• Folktale Themes and Activities for Children. Volume 1: Pourquoi Tales
  This book helps educators design story times that extend and explore a variety of how-and-why stories with students.The tales are also organized by cultural and geographic groups, providing opportunities for integrating multicultural concepts into science, literature, and social studies. Activities include Venn diagrams, shadow puppetry, and multimedia projects.
• Introducing the Music of East Africa
  Explains and characterizes some of the basic concepts of East African music. Fundamentally an enhanced way of storytelling, East African music techniques are rooted in the play and rhythm of spoken language.
• Many People, Many Places, Other Times: An Annotated Bibliography of Multicultural Books for 3- to 8-Year-Olds
  Cites 99 recently published fiction, folklore, and nonfiction books for 3- to 8-year olds that illustrate a broad interpretation of multiculturalism and include positive and accurate portrayals of various ethnic or religious groups. A brief synopsis is given for each book, along with publication information.
• Mask-making and the Art in Multicultural Art Education
  Profiles the use of mask-making in an art education program at San Pedro Academy in Los Angeles. San Pedro is an all-male private school for elementary, middle and high school students with emotional and behavioral problems.
• Melting Pot to Tossed Salad
  Encourages teachers to interact with students and students to interact with each other to facilitate cultural awareness and respect for differences. Proposes a number of classroom activities, such as "how to" presentations, studies of cultural folklore, and a puppet show.
• Music Training in Germany
  This special-issue volume examines music education in the two Germanies and how music has had a great influence in the culture of the nations. The presentation is a professional and objective portrayal of music training and cultivation in Germany in the last decade of the present century.
• Polynesian Folklore: An Alternative to Plastic Toys
  Argues that folklore goes beyond plastic toys and popular media symbols to share the humanness of a people. Suggest ways to use Polynesian folklore (nature fables, tales, and legends) to deepen children's understanding of Polynesian culture.
• Teaching Tools
  Reviews books and videos for multicultural education and cultural awareness in elementary and secondary classrooms. The 28 works reviewed focus on gender and minority experiences, U.S.
• The Changing Faces of Tradition: A Report on the Folk and Traditional Arts in the United States. Research Division Report 38
  Most folk art activity occurs outside institutional settings, and while some of it intersects with commerce and popular culture, other portions find nurture from public and private funding. This study sketches the breadth and depth of folk and traditional arts activity in the United States.
• Why Not Start a Steel Band?
  Suggests expanding the eclectic nature of a band program by creating a steel band, a Caribbean-based percussion ensemble. The steel band complements multicultural education and attracts students to the music program.