Fairy Tales and Tall Tales: Supplemental Guide CA | Culminating Activities 195phrase about an exaggeration from that tall tale and raise his/her hand
once s/he is finished.
Song: The Ballads of John Henry and Casey Jones
Find a version of the ballad of John Henry, and share it with students. (Refer
to the Recommended Resource list at the beginning of this Anthology for
suggestions.) Tell students that the stories of John Henry and Casey Jones
were not just told as tall tales, but that people also sang ballads about John
Henry and Casey Jones. Share with students that a ballad is a song that
tells a story. Explain that the ballad of John Henry tells of John Henry’s life,
and just like the tall tale, the ballad tells of how John Henry and his hammers
are more powerful than the steam drill, an invention created to do the jobs
of railroad workers like John Henry. The ballad of Casey Jones tells the story
about how Casey Jones saved his railroad partner, Sim Webb.
Class Book: Our Own Tall Tale
Have students create their own tall tale as a class. The tall tale may feature
the entire class as characters, or for ease of creation, may feature you,
the teacher, as the main character. Make sure that the tall tale features the
elements of humor and exaggeration, and that the main character is larger
than life. Also be sure to create an amazing childhood, amazing adventures
or feats, and a creation or invention. It is highly recommended that you set
your tall tale in the American frontier to reinforce what students have learned
in this domain about the American frontier and to prepare them for what
they will learn in the Westward Expansion domain.
On Stage
Have a group of students plan and then act out any one of the tall tales
covered in the tall tales portion of this domain. They may choose “Paul
Bunyan,” “Pecos Bill,” “John Henry,” or “Casey Jones.” Encourage students
to use domain-related vocabulary in their dialogue.
Paul Bunyan’s Colossal Flapjacks
Plan a tall tale-themed pancake breakfast for the class, complete with
“colossal” flapjacks, maple syrup, bacon, and blueberries. Tell students
that maple syrup and blueberries are both products from Maine, where
Paul Bunyan was originally from.