Complementing the primary-level language arts curriculum, this series shows how folk and fairy tales promote active listening, sharpen comprehension skills, and extend vocabulary. Their simple, direct plots provide superb examples of structure, organization, and chronological sequencing and can be used to help students develop logic skills. The stories can be a springboard for teaching critical thinking, interpretation, and prediction. Teletales also can enhance the various social studies, as distant lands and distant times are brought near.
Grade Levels: Primary
Resource Types: Videos
The Charmed Ring
(India) Kind-hearted Sindhu is repaid in the end for the friendship he bestows on a cat, a dog, and a snake.
The Willow Tree
(England/China) Li-Ho defies her greedy father and elopes with the gardener’s son rather than submit to a prearranged marriage with the wealthy prince.
Stan Bolován
(Romania) To make enough money to feed his hundred children, Stan takes a job as a dragonslayer—but finds it more profitable to outsmart the dragon instead.
Hansel and Gretel
(Germany) Two hungry, helpless children use their wits to defeat a near-sighted witch.
Soongoora and Simba
(Africa) A clever rabbit’s craving for honey repeatedly gets him into trouble with a lion.
The Bargain
(Ireland) When a crafty old farmer tricks Myles into working for nothing, a “little green man” helps Myles’ brother Donal turn the tables.
The Chenoo
(Native American) Team warns his wife Mimku never to touch a leather pouch in their wigwam. When their little son Wasis shoots an arrow into the pouch, a terrible creature is released—a Chenoo.
Molly O'Mally
(Wales/England) Spunky, daring Molly takes on the task of retrieving several precious items a cruel giant has stolen from her king.
Long Nose
(Germany) Jem endures laughter and derision until he discovers how to undo the witch’s spell that made his nose grow and his neck disappear.
Bianchinetta
(Italy) Bianchinetta is pushed into the sea by the evil Shamina, who then masquerades as Bianchinetta to gain entrance to the prince’s palace.
The Sorcerer's Boy
(Russia) A sorcerer who misrepresents himself as a teacher turns Peter into a toad, a dove, and then a horse.
Half Chick/The Squire's Bride
(Spain/Norway) In one tale, selfishness and impatience bring a strange chicken to an ignominious end atop the tallest tower in Madrid. In the other, a proud and stubborn Norwegian squire gets a surprise on his wedding day when his bride-to-be turns out to be a horse.
Caliph Stork
(Iraq) The caliph of Baghdad finds himself trapped in the body of a stork, and only the evil magician with designs on his throne knows the magic word that will restore him to his human form.
Fiddy Wow Wow
(Denmark) Ordinary people, including a schoolteacher, are reduced to speaking nonsense after touching a magic stone.
Paka'a
(Hawaii) Paka’a invents the sailing canoe and wins power over the winds of the ocean. How he uses his power affects everyone, especially the king.