Learning about folklore will give the students insight into the late 1800 s and the early 1900 s. The learner will be able to distinguish if John Henry and Casey Jones were either folk tales or legends by doing a quick write with supporting information. The learner will also write their own folk tale of the railroad. This is because the folklore has been written down. Workers made up the stories and songs to help them understand and explain their lives.
Students sit in a circle around the room.
The teacher will give a message to one student and that student will pass on the message to the students next to them. This continues until the message gets back to the start. The last student then states the message. Explain to the students how easily messages can get mixed up when passed from person to person. Then divide the class up into four centers.