The Families and Folktales Project developed from a desire to share and celebrate the variety of cultures that exist in the English as a Second Language Program in the Cedar Falls Community School District. Our dream was for all of the students in the ESL program and their families to share stories and artwork that teach us all something about who they are. As the idea took shape, the project evolved into Stories from Around the World.Stories from Around the World consists of hero- or animal-related folktales or stories from the students' cultural heritages. The students worked together with their families to write the stories in their native language, then retold the stories in English. This is how the stories appear in the book - first the native language version, followed by the English retelling. For personal reasons, the story from Pakistan appears only in English.
Our thanks goes out to the McElroy Trust, whose grant gave this idea wings with which to fly. We also owe many thanks to Sue Hansen for her help with clay, supplies and the firing of the sculptures, and to the Orchard Hill PTA who came through when we needed a little extra to finish the project. Thanks also to the Hearst Center for the Arts for its enthusiasm and willingness to display the artwork that accompanied the stories.
Most of all, we wish to thank the families of our students for their help, participation and enthusiasm - not just for this project, but for every aspect of their children's education. We are enriched by what you share with us.
Catherine Howland and Sarah Wait
Please remember that this project was completed by students who are studying English as a Second Language, and therefore, will not contain the impeccable grammar, spelling, and structure that one would expect from native speakers.
Added to the WWW on 06/21/99
Stories prepared for the web by:
WebMaster@MIDTESOL.org