In these stories, Irving created characters with whom many Americans are familiar such as the sad Ichabod Crane or the good-natured Rip Van Winkle whose wife wouldn't stop pestering him. Furthermore, they both take place in specific areas in New York State and include actual historical events and experiences. Ask your students to describe various legends and other stories that they have heard or seen. In them, he created characters who many Americans are familiar with such as the sad Ichabod Crane or the good-natured Rip Van Winkle whose wife wouldn't stop pestering him. Depending on your students reading ability, choose to either have your students read aloud a version of one of Irving's legends or ask your students to sit in a circle and read the legend to them.
Most cultures have legends that are passed on from generation to generation.
You can find in your local library books of legends created by other cultures such as American Indian, Irish, Jewish, Hungarian, and Italian. Select three or four to read with your students. Discuss similarities and differences. Ask your students to talk about what they can learn about the specific cultures through their legends. Through their involvement in several discussions, students will demonstrate their understanding of the significance of legends.