STORIES OF JUAN BOBO: AUTHENTIC PUERTO RICAN FOLKTALES

J O A N N E O ’ T O O L E , P H . D .

S U N Y O S W E G O

N I C H O L A S S P A N S W I C K

S U N Y O S W E G O

WHY USE AUTHENTIC FOLKLORE IN THE CLASSROOM?

Natural LanguageStudent AffectCultural Content

WHO IS JUAN BOBO?

Foolish JohnProduct of Puerto Rican Oral Folklore

Impoverished, Rural Setting

CAN AUTHENTIC TEXTS HAVE DRAWBACKS?What information are students

taking from these texts?Can inferences lead to

generalizations and stereotyping?

How can we deal with this?

FROM STORY TO PUPPET SHOW

Step 1: Students read and engage with the story deeply and meaningfully.Step 2: Students map the story and make decisions.Step 3: Write and edit the script.Step 4: Create or distribute puppets, props, and background.Step 5: Determine roles and rehearse.Step 6: Perform, record, and celebrate!

BENEFITS OF USING PUPPETS

TO BRING LITERATURE TO LIFE

Promote All Levels of Thinking!Promote Cooperation,

Confidence and Low Anxiety!Promote Standards-Based

Language Learning!