The tall tale is a unique kind of folk story--an exaggerated account of a real or fictional person. When the pioneers began moving westward, they faced a huge and unknown wilderness. The task of taming such a land probably seemed overwhelming, so these early settlers originated humorous stories that boasted about far-fetched ways of overcoming real hardships. Tall tales were a way for people to brag about the personal qualities necessary to meet--and beat--the challenges of frontier life. Part I Becoming a Tall Tale Expert Step 1: In class, watch a tall tale video of your teacher's choice. Step 2: As a whole class we will complete a story map on the chalkboard about the tall tale we just watched. The story map will include the setting, the characters - noting their realistic and exaggerated qualities, and the events - both realistic and exaggerated. Step 3: On your own, read - Paul Bunyan Step 4: With your group, complete a story map like the one we did together in class for Paul Bunyan and turn it into your teacher. Step 5: Tall tales get much of their humor from exaggeration and hyperbole. An exaggeration is possible (i.e. I am so hungry I could eat the whole pizza. While hyperbole is an exaggeration that is impossible (i.e. I am so hungry I could eat a horse). On your own, write five sentences using exaggeration or hyperbole. Turn in this completed assignment. Step 6: As a group, compare and contrast the two tall tale characters we've studied. Turn in this completed activity. Step 7: On your own, look over the following list of heroes' characteristics. Choose the five that you feel are the most important and write a paragraph explaining why you chose the characteristics you did. Turn in this completed assignment. Heroes Characteristics: larger than life tough self-sacrificing courageous strong persevering clever problem-solving creative powerful compassionate thrifty star performer eccentric inventive independent energetic highly skilled resourceful virtuous hard-working storyteller self-sufficient unselfconscious Part II: Becoming An Expert On The Florida Everglades This part is broken down into three roles. You must choose a role and complete the activities listed for that role by clicking on your expert's link above or on the home page. Florida Everglades Locale Expert Florida Everglades Weather Expert Florida Everglades Animal Expert Proceed to Part III only after each of you have completed the activities for your role. Part III: Writng An Original Tall Tale A. Come together to share what you've learned about the Florida Everglades. B. As you complete the following steps, fill in a detailed story web like the ones we completed in Part I. 1. Using the Locale Expert's poster, work together to decide on the setting for your tall tale (i.e. A Mangrove Forest). 2. Using the Weather Expert's graph, work together to determine the month in which your story will take place. (Hint: Think about how a lot of rain, or very little rain and the temperature could play a role in your tall tale.) 3. Using the Animal Expert's list, work together to agree upon an animal to use in your tall tale. 4. As a group, brainstorm some things that this animal could realistically do and also think of some exaggerations that you could use. (Hint: You may want to refer back to the animal expert's links to learn more about the animal you chose.) 5. Now it's time to think about your tall tale character. To help you organize your thoughts, on a separate sheet of paper, work through the tall tale character outline found on the home page. Remember to use exaggeration and hyperbole when developing your character. 6. Now you need to brainstorm together some of the events that will take place in your story. What types of adventures will your hero encounter? Again, I'm looking for humor through the use of exaggeration and hyperbole. 7. Your group should now turn in their complete detailed story map for a final review before proceeding. 8. After your story map has been approved, it's now time to write your tall tale! Combine your knowledge about the Florida Everglades with what you learned in Part I about exaggeration and hyperbole to be as outrageous, funny, and far-fetched as you can be. Think about the tall tales we read and the elements of a tall tale and tall tale hero. 9. Refer to the tall tale rubric found on the home page to proofread your tall tale together and make any necessary changes. 10. Now it's time to write your final draft and "mail" it to Whoppers-Are-Us magazine for consideration in their contest. Good Luck!!