Cajun Folktales
Unit 2 Lessons 1 - 44
In Unit 2, Cajun Folktales, students read literary and informational texts to learn how storytelling can be entertaining as well as educational. Students develop an understanding of Louisiana history and culture as well as character and theme development. Students express their understanding by writing stories modeled after the anchor and related texts using information gained about Louisiana.
Books in this Unit: Lapin Plays Possum, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Dear Peter Rabbit, Tops and Bottoms, and The Classic Tale of Brer Rabbit
Lesson 1: Reading Logs
Students create Reading Logs to document their learning.
Lesson 2: Cajun experience
Students begin to develop understanding of the Cajun culture in order to make better connections to the Cajun elements in the anchor text.
Lesson 3: Elements of a folktale
Students are introduced to the folktale characters, Compere Lapin and Brer Rabbit, through a read aloud of the texts’ author notes and introduction. Student also identify the elements of a folktale, including a trickster tale.
Lesson 4: Using a glossary and “Bouki Over a Barrel” (From Lapin Plays Possum)
Students are introduced to the anchor text by listening to the read aloud of “Bouki Over a Barrel.” Students use the text glossary to make meaning of unfamiliar words in the text, and identify the Louisiana geography and cultural elements in the story.
Lesson 5: Signal words to describe events
Students identify the sequence of events in the story “Bouki Over a Barrel” by using signal words to describe the relationship between the events and the order of events. Students also identify tricky vocabulary words in the story.
Lesson 6: Vivid details and literal/nonliteral meaning
Students continue examining the story “Bouki Over a Barrel” by looking at how vivid details help the reader understand what is happening in the story. Students also learn to distinguish between literal and nonliteral meaning of words and phrases.
Lesson 7: Central lesson and story elements
Students determine the central lesson of “Bouki Over a Barrel” and explain how key details convey the lesson. Students also complete the story elements chart, identifying the character, setting, main events, conflict and central lesson.
Lesson 8: Lapin character traits
Students begin to understand the character traits of the trickster rabbit, Lapin, by recording his character traits and evidence to support those character traits on the Class Lapin character traits chart.
Lesson 9: Short research project on cotton, part 1
Students research the natural resource, cotton, and begin to understand its importance to Louisiana.
Lesson 10: Writing an informative paragraph
Students research the natural resource, cotton, and begin to understand its importance to Louisiana.
Lesson 11: Using context clues to determine meaning and Lapin Plays PossumStudents are introduced to the anchor text by listening to the read aloud of Lapin Plays Possum. Students identify the Louisiana geography and cultural elements in the story and determine the meaning of the phrase “plays possum" by using context clues.
Lesson 12: How character actions contribute to the sequence of events
Students understand how a character’s actions contribute to the sequence of events in the story by looking at how Lapin actions caused something to happen in the story.
Lesson 13: Tricky vocabulary, Cajun expressions, and recounting
Students identify any tricky vocabulary and cajun expressions from the story “Lapin Plays Possum.” Students also recount the story, using the Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then chart.
Lesson 14: Clues that reveal characters’ actions, thoughts, and feelings
Students identify clues in the story that reveal the character’s actions, thoughts and feelings then add to the Lapin character traits chart.
Lesson 15: Central lesson and story elements
Students discuss the central lesson of the story “Lapin Plays Possum” then identify key details that convey the lesson. Students also complete the Story Elements graphic organizer to further understand the characteristics of a folktale.
Lesson 16: Opinion essay brainstorming
Students begin to write an opinion essay by brainstorming reasons that support their opinion.
Lesson 17: Opinion essay first draft
Students develop an opinion statement and write the first draft of their opinion essay.
Lesson 18: Opinion essay revise, edit, and publish
Students continue to write an opinion essay by collaborating with a peer on revisions and edits.
Lesson 19: Practice cold-read task
Students read a new folktale independently than answer questions to demonstrate their ability to read, understand, and express understanding of the text.
Lesson 20: Peter Rabbit’s behaviors and suffixes
Students listen to the story "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," then identify the mischievous behaviors of Peter. Students also learned about base words and the suffix -ed.
Lesson 21: How images contribute to meaning
Students use specific images from "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" to explain how the images contribute to the meaning of the story. Students add to their tricky vocabulary chart.
Lesson 22: Using images to determine the meaning of words and phrases
Students use images from the text to determine the meaning of words and phrases. The students also complete the story elements comparison chart for “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.”
Lesson 23: "Dear Peter Rabbit" and point of view
Students listen to a series a letters from the story "Dear Peter Rabbit" then compare Goldilocks’, Mr. McGregor’s and Peter Rabbit’s point of view on visiting Mr. McGregor’s garden.
Lesson 24: How parts build on earlier sections and the parts of a friendly letter
Students identify how the series of letters in the story "Dear Peter Rabbit" build off of one another. Students use the letters to identify the different parts of a friendly letter.
Lesson 25: Writing a friendly letter from a different point of view
Students write a letter to Lapin about the tricks he has played, from Bouki’s point of view.
Lesson 26: "Tops & Bottoms" and text-dependent questions
Students listen to a teacher read aloud of "Tops & Bottoms" while following along in their text, then answer questions by looking back into the text. Students add to their rabbit character comparison chart.
Lesson 27: Comparing and contrasting similar stories
Students compare and contrast the stories “Lapin Plays Possum” and "Tops & Bottoms" by looking at the setting and character motivations in each story.
Lesson 28: “The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit” and dialogue
Students continue to understand the elements of a folktale by listening to and reading two tales of Brer Rabbit. Students also identify the dialogue in the story and practice reading dialogue.
Lesson 29: “The Great Race” and text dependent questions
Students read the story “The Great Race” then complete the story elements comparison chart as a class. Students also work with a partner, answering questions about the text to deepen their understanding of the text.
Lesson 30: Rabbit research, part 1
Students begin to gather information about the behaviors and traits of real rabbits.
31: Rabbit research, part 2
Students explain how rabbit behavior and traits are represented and changed in rabbit stories by looking at the information gathered during research and information gathered from the stories previously read.
Lesson 32: Forming an opinion for a fishbowl discussion
Students begin to prepare for a fishbowl discussion by deciding if Lapin makes a good trickster. Students answer a series of questions to form their opinion then use linking words to connect their opinion with reason and evidence.
Lesson 33: Fishbowl discussion
Students engage in a fishbowl discussion, sharing their opinions of whether or not Lapin makes a good trickster.
Lesson 34: Forming an opinion for the culminating writing task
Students begin the writing process to answer the prompt: Is a rabbit a good animal to play the role of a trickster?
Lesson 35: Writing the first draft of an opinion essay
Students continue the writing process to answer the prompt: Is a rabbit a good animal to play the role of a trickster?
Lesson 36: Opinion essay revising our first draft
Students continue the writing process to answer the prompt: Is a rabbit a good animal to play the role of a trickster?
Lesson 37: Opinion essay editing and publishing
Students complete the writing process to answer the prompt: Is a rabbit a good animal to play the role of a trickster?
Lesson 38: Cold-read task, part 1
Students read a trickster tale independently and answer multiple-choice questions to demonstrate understanding of the text.
Lesson 39: Cold-read task, part 2
Students read a trickster tale independently and answer multiple-choice questions to demonstrate understanding of the text.
Lesson 40: Brainstorming the story elements of a trickster tale
Students begin the writing process to write a trickster tale that includes different aspects of the Louisiana culture and geography.
Lesson 41: Brainstorming the sequence of events for a trickster tale
Students begin the writing process to write a trickster tale that includes different aspects of the Louisiana culture and geography.
Lesson 42: Drafting a trickster folktale
Students continue the writing process to write a trickster tale that includes different aspects of the Louisiana culture and geography.
Lesson 43: Revising a first draft
Students continue the writing process to write a trickster tale that includes different aspects of the Louisiana culture and geography.
Lesson 44: Editing and publishing a trickster tale
Students continue the writing process to write a trickster tale that includes different aspects of the Louisiana culture and geography.
Books in this Unit: Lapin Plays Possum, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Dear Peter Rabbit, Tops and Bottoms, and The Classic Tale of Brer Rabbit
Lesson 1: Reading Logs
Students create Reading Logs to document their learning.
Lesson 2: Cajun experience
Students begin to develop understanding of the Cajun culture in order to make better connections to the Cajun elements in the anchor text.
Lesson 3: Elements of a folktale
Students are introduced to the folktale characters, Compere Lapin and Brer Rabbit, through a read aloud of the texts’ author notes and introduction. Student also identify the elements of a folktale, including a trickster tale.
Lesson 4: Using a glossary and “Bouki Over a Barrel” (From Lapin Plays Possum)
Students are introduced to the anchor text by listening to the read aloud of “Bouki Over a Barrel.” Students use the text glossary to make meaning of unfamiliar words in the text, and identify the Louisiana geography and cultural elements in the story.
Lesson 5: Signal words to describe events
Students identify the sequence of events in the story “Bouki Over a Barrel” by using signal words to describe the relationship between the events and the order of events. Students also identify tricky vocabulary words in the story.
Lesson 6: Vivid details and literal/nonliteral meaning
Students continue examining the story “Bouki Over a Barrel” by looking at how vivid details help the reader understand what is happening in the story. Students also learn to distinguish between literal and nonliteral meaning of words and phrases.
Lesson 7: Central lesson and story elements
Students determine the central lesson of “Bouki Over a Barrel” and explain how key details convey the lesson. Students also complete the story elements chart, identifying the character, setting, main events, conflict and central lesson.
Lesson 8: Lapin character traits
Students begin to understand the character traits of the trickster rabbit, Lapin, by recording his character traits and evidence to support those character traits on the Class Lapin character traits chart.
Lesson 9: Short research project on cotton, part 1
Students research the natural resource, cotton, and begin to understand its importance to Louisiana.
Lesson 10: Writing an informative paragraph
Students research the natural resource, cotton, and begin to understand its importance to Louisiana.
Lesson 11: Using context clues to determine meaning and Lapin Plays PossumStudents are introduced to the anchor text by listening to the read aloud of Lapin Plays Possum. Students identify the Louisiana geography and cultural elements in the story and determine the meaning of the phrase “plays possum" by using context clues.
Lesson 12: How character actions contribute to the sequence of events
Students understand how a character’s actions contribute to the sequence of events in the story by looking at how Lapin actions caused something to happen in the story.
Lesson 13: Tricky vocabulary, Cajun expressions, and recounting
Students identify any tricky vocabulary and cajun expressions from the story “Lapin Plays Possum.” Students also recount the story, using the Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then chart.
Lesson 14: Clues that reveal characters’ actions, thoughts, and feelings
Students identify clues in the story that reveal the character’s actions, thoughts and feelings then add to the Lapin character traits chart.
Lesson 15: Central lesson and story elements
Students discuss the central lesson of the story “Lapin Plays Possum” then identify key details that convey the lesson. Students also complete the Story Elements graphic organizer to further understand the characteristics of a folktale.
Lesson 16: Opinion essay brainstorming
Students begin to write an opinion essay by brainstorming reasons that support their opinion.
Lesson 17: Opinion essay first draft
Students develop an opinion statement and write the first draft of their opinion essay.
Lesson 18: Opinion essay revise, edit, and publish
Students continue to write an opinion essay by collaborating with a peer on revisions and edits.
Lesson 19: Practice cold-read task
Students read a new folktale independently than answer questions to demonstrate their ability to read, understand, and express understanding of the text.
Lesson 20: Peter Rabbit’s behaviors and suffixes
Students listen to the story "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," then identify the mischievous behaviors of Peter. Students also learned about base words and the suffix -ed.
Lesson 21: How images contribute to meaning
Students use specific images from "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" to explain how the images contribute to the meaning of the story. Students add to their tricky vocabulary chart.
Lesson 22: Using images to determine the meaning of words and phrases
Students use images from the text to determine the meaning of words and phrases. The students also complete the story elements comparison chart for “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.”
Lesson 23: "Dear Peter Rabbit" and point of view
Students listen to a series a letters from the story "Dear Peter Rabbit" then compare Goldilocks’, Mr. McGregor’s and Peter Rabbit’s point of view on visiting Mr. McGregor’s garden.
Lesson 24: How parts build on earlier sections and the parts of a friendly letter
Students identify how the series of letters in the story "Dear Peter Rabbit" build off of one another. Students use the letters to identify the different parts of a friendly letter.
Lesson 25: Writing a friendly letter from a different point of view
Students write a letter to Lapin about the tricks he has played, from Bouki’s point of view.
Lesson 26: "Tops & Bottoms" and text-dependent questions
Students listen to a teacher read aloud of "Tops & Bottoms" while following along in their text, then answer questions by looking back into the text. Students add to their rabbit character comparison chart.
Lesson 27: Comparing and contrasting similar stories
Students compare and contrast the stories “Lapin Plays Possum” and "Tops & Bottoms" by looking at the setting and character motivations in each story.
Lesson 28: “The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit” and dialogue
Students continue to understand the elements of a folktale by listening to and reading two tales of Brer Rabbit. Students also identify the dialogue in the story and practice reading dialogue.
Lesson 29: “The Great Race” and text dependent questions
Students read the story “The Great Race” then complete the story elements comparison chart as a class. Students also work with a partner, answering questions about the text to deepen their understanding of the text.
Lesson 30: Rabbit research, part 1
Students begin to gather information about the behaviors and traits of real rabbits.
31: Rabbit research, part 2
Students explain how rabbit behavior and traits are represented and changed in rabbit stories by looking at the information gathered during research and information gathered from the stories previously read.
Lesson 32: Forming an opinion for a fishbowl discussion
Students begin to prepare for a fishbowl discussion by deciding if Lapin makes a good trickster. Students answer a series of questions to form their opinion then use linking words to connect their opinion with reason and evidence.
Lesson 33: Fishbowl discussion
Students engage in a fishbowl discussion, sharing their opinions of whether or not Lapin makes a good trickster.
Lesson 34: Forming an opinion for the culminating writing task
Students begin the writing process to answer the prompt: Is a rabbit a good animal to play the role of a trickster?
Lesson 35: Writing the first draft of an opinion essay
Students continue the writing process to answer the prompt: Is a rabbit a good animal to play the role of a trickster?
Lesson 36: Opinion essay revising our first draft
Students continue the writing process to answer the prompt: Is a rabbit a good animal to play the role of a trickster?
Lesson 37: Opinion essay editing and publishing
Students complete the writing process to answer the prompt: Is a rabbit a good animal to play the role of a trickster?
Lesson 38: Cold-read task, part 1
Students read a trickster tale independently and answer multiple-choice questions to demonstrate understanding of the text.
Lesson 39: Cold-read task, part 2
Students read a trickster tale independently and answer multiple-choice questions to demonstrate understanding of the text.
Lesson 40: Brainstorming the story elements of a trickster tale
Students begin the writing process to write a trickster tale that includes different aspects of the Louisiana culture and geography.
Lesson 41: Brainstorming the sequence of events for a trickster tale
Students begin the writing process to write a trickster tale that includes different aspects of the Louisiana culture and geography.
Lesson 42: Drafting a trickster folktale
Students continue the writing process to write a trickster tale that includes different aspects of the Louisiana culture and geography.
Lesson 43: Revising a first draft
Students continue the writing process to write a trickster tale that includes different aspects of the Louisiana culture and geography.
Lesson 44: Editing and publishing a trickster tale
Students continue the writing process to write a trickster tale that includes different aspects of the Louisiana culture and geography.