Folklife Resources for Educators

Sponsoring Organization Information

Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
c/o City Lore
72 East First Street, New York NY 10003

Dakotah Storyteller: Mary Louise Defender Wilson
by Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
http://locallearningnetwork.org/guest-artist/mary-louise-defender-wilson/

K-12 curriculum ideas for studying the life and artistry of 1999 NEA National Heritage Fellow Mary Louise Defender Wilson, storyteller and performer of songs, dances, and legends of the Dakotah (Sioux) and Hidatsa people. These materials can be used in the curriculum areas of language arts, geography, social studies, history, visual arts, and science. Includes audio recording of Wilson telling the Dakotah story “The Woman Who Turned Herself to Stone,” a transcript of an interview with her, background on Native American storytelling and language, and additional resources.

Sponsoring Organization:
Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
c/o City Lore
72 East First Street
New York NY 10003
http://locallearningnetwork.org/

Master Cajun Fiddler: Michael Doucet
by Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
http://locallearningnetwork.org/guest-artist/michael-doucet/

K-12 curriculum ideas for studying the life and artistry of Michael Doucet, a Cajun fiddler, singer, and bandleader and a 2005 NEA National Heritage Fellow. Includes lesson and activity suggestions, an audio recording of an interview with Michael Doucet (with transcript), audio samples of his fiddling, and additional resources for the study of Cajun culture and music. These materials can be used in lessons in the curriculum areas of Language Arts, Social Studies, Folklife Studies, Visual Arts, Music, and History to examine Cajun culture in Louisiana.

Sponsoring Organization:
Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
c/o City Lore
72 East First Street
New York NY 10003
http://locallearningnetwork.org/

Mexican-American Corona Maker: Eva Castellanoz
by Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
http://locallearningnetwork.org/guest-artist/eva-castellanoz/

K-12 curriculum ideas for studying the life and artistry of 1987 NEA National Heritage Fellow Eva Castellanoz, master corona maker and healer, who has been making paper and wax flower bouquets and coronas, or crowns, in the Mexican-American community for over fifty years. These resources can be used in the curriculum areas of language arts, geography, social studies, and the visual arts. Includes an activity for making paper and wax flowers, background on her Mexican-American culture, her life in Oregon,including her role as a community curandera, or healer, and additional resources for background research.

Sponsoring Organization:
Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
c/o City Lore
72 East First Street
New York NY 10003
http://locallearningnetwork.org/

Piedmont Blues Guitarist: John Cephas
by Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
http://locallearningnetwork.org/guest-artist/john-cephas/

K-12 curriculum ideas for studying the life and artistry of John Cephas, a 1989 NEA National Heritage Fellow and Piedmont Blues guitarist. Includes lesson suggestions, a transcript of an interview with John Cephas, an audio sample of his music, and additional resources. These materials can be used in lessons in the curriculum areas of Language Arts, Social Studies, Geography, Folklife Studies, Visual Arts, Music, and History to examine blues music, race relations, and traditional culture in the Piedmont region of Appalachia.

Sponsoring Organization:
Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
c/o City Lore
72 East First Street
New York NY 10003
http://locallearningnetwork.org/

Puerto Rican Mundillo (bobbin-lace) Maker: Rosa Elena Egipciaco
by Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
http://locallearningnetwork.org/guest-artist/rosa-elena-egipciaco/

K-12 curriculum ideas for studying the life and artistry of Rosa Elena Egipciaco, a 2003 NEA National Heritage Fellow. Egipciaco is a master bobbin lacemaker of Puerto Rican heritage who lives in New York City. These resources and activities can be used in the curriculum areas of language arts, math, and the visual arts.

Sponsoring Organization:
Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
c/o City Lore
72 East First Street
New York NY 10003
http://locallearningnetwork.org/

The Seasonal Round
by Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
http://locallearningnetwork.org/the-seasonal-round/

Curriculum unit that provides a point of inquiry for K-12 students to explore how seasonal changes reflect and influence daily life and culture, holidays, festivals, and personal, family and community celebrations. Includes ideas and activities for examining and documenting how traditions vary from season to season, affected by weather, agricultural patterns, ecology, religious practice, and the recurrent yearly cycles of human life.

Sponsoring Organization:
Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education
c/o City Lore
72 East First Street
New York NY 10003
http://locallearningnetwork.org/