Already have a TD account?

If you are already a Teachers' Domain user, sign in now to connect your Teachers' Domain and accounts.

Teachers' Domain sign-in name:

Organization:

Password:

Signing in now will connect your and Teachers' Domain accounts, so that in the future you will automatically be signed into Teachers' Domain when you come from .

Not yet registered?

First time here?

As a user, you may browse Teachers' Domain and view as many resources as you wish without registering.

However, for access to all fo the features of Teachers' Domain, we'll need a little more information. Learn More

You are now "Test Driving" Teachers' Domain

You may view up to 7 resources in this limited trial period.

You have 6 views remaining. Register now for unlimited free access and to download, share, and save resources. Learn More

You are now "Test Driving" Teachers' Domain

As a user, you may view as many resources as you like without registering.

About Registration:

Registering with Teachers' Domain is free and allows you to:

• View as many resources as you like
• Save, sort, and share resources using My Folders and My Groups
• Download resources to your desktop
• See standards correlations for your state

Thank you for "Test Driving" Teachers' Domain

You have viewed all seven resources permitted in this limited trial period. You may continue to browse the site, but to view, download, share, and save resources, you must register now. Registration is simple, safe, and free.

For more information:

Learn about our online Professional Development Courses, or review our Privacy Policy.

If you still have questions, please contact us.

Recommended for: Grades 1-4

Resource: Pourquoi Stories

Save to a folder

Media Type:
QuickTime Video

Length: 2m 51s
Size: 7.4 MB

This video segment from Jakers features a storyteller who tells a Pourquoi story about a spider. Pourquoi is the French word for "why". Pourquoi stories try to explain in an entertaining way why something happens or why things are the way they are, especially in nature. This lively story is about Anansi the Spider, a popular character in African folklore. We hear an imaginary tale that tries to explain why the lowest part of a spider's body is so big. Could it really be because of the plan the greedy spider Anansi came up with to eat two feasts in one day?

Alternate Media Available:

Transcript (Rich Text Format Document)

View Citation

Teachers' Domain, Pourquoi Stories, published August 26, 2008, retrieved on ,
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/vtl07.la.rv.genre.pourquoist/

Frame and Focus
Follow Up
Connections
Standards

Printer Friendly Version of Frame and Focus

Print Frame and Focus

The following Frame, Focus and Follow-up suggestions are best suited for elementary school students using this video in an English language arts, social studies or science lesson. Be sure to modify the questions to meet your students' instructional needs.

What is Frame, Focus and Follow-up?

Frame (ELA) What stories do you already know that explain why things are the way they are in nature? (Example: Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears: A West African Tale by Verna Aardema)

Focus (ELA) As you watch the video and listen to the story, think about how this story fits the characteristics of a Pourquoi story.

Frame (SS) What do you already know about different cultures? For example, how can stories be part of a country’s culture?

Focus (SS) Anansi is a character in African folklore. As you listen to the storyteller, listen for clues about the African culture that created this story.

Frame (SCI) What do you know about spiders, especially how they look?

Focus (SCI) Listen to how the storyteller explains in words and actions the reason why spiders have big “butts.”