Cric! Crac!
Andrea Haddad
OMLTAFriday March 31, 2017, session D7
Storytelling has forever been a way of imparting values to society: charity, duty, faith, honour and especially respect towards nature and community. French‐Canadian and Native legends provide rich lessons and powerful messages that remain with students into adulthood.
How to tell:
1.Choose according to age and if possible, season (Halloween)
2.Learn the story well and practice before telling
3.Prepare alternative activities such as a listening centre for students who cannot participate in supernatural activities
4.Create ambiance: lower the lights, have children sit close, get them settled and still
5.Post pertinent vocabulary, maps or small props to aid in comprehension if telling in French
6.Speak in a low, dramatic voice. Start with an incantation. Here is one used by Marylyn Peringerof Mariposa In The Schools:
Cric, crac, les enfants,
Parli, parlo, parlons
Sac à tibi, sac à tabac
À la porte les ceusses (les enfants) qui n’écoute pas!
7.For legends, it is advisable to preface the story by reminding students that it takes place long ago in New France where the society had a deeply religious tradition,mainly Christian Roman Catholic.
Language:
It is your choice to tell in English, French or bilingually. When students ask if the story is true, be sure to answer something like “That is what I heard!”
Follow-up Activities:
-illustrate
-vocabulary quiz
-retell in simple sentences
-put the sentences in order
-make a booklet where students illustrate one sentence each
-create a Cloze exercise
-Create a dialogue for the story – turn it into a play
-Research legendary characters (Jos Montferrand, Évangéline…)
-Research the story behind certain place names (Qu’Appelle, Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré…)
-Students become storytellers – retell French legends or tell family stories in French
-Creative composition of a “legend” – about school, family, anything
-Create a class mascot of a character from the legends
Bibliography
There are many books on folk tales of French Canada, the best known being those of Edith Fowke. Now there are also websites where you can find legends, and sometimes videos as well. But remember that showing a video or using any technical devices will destroy the magic of the oral tradition! If you are looking for books with illustrated legends in simple language for FSL classes, see my website at