Boatright, Mody C. Tall tales from Texas. Dallas: The Southwest Press, ca. 1934. https://www.loc.gov/item/34024636/.
Using critical inquiry, learners will examine five tales to determine genre characteristics and structures. After examining the fables and drawing conclusions, learners examine the preface and introduction to the source to determine the author’s purpose and message. Learners research values and priorities revealed in the introduction and his “Preface on Authentic Liars” to propose a statement that captures the author’s probable purpose in 1934. Learners may also conduct additional research of Texas in the 1930s for historical context and societal priorities.
In 1934, citizens of the United States experienced the impact of the Great Depression, and Mody Boatright published Tall Tales from Texas. The text is lighthearted and openly honest about how Texans told stories—or lies, depending on your viewpoint.
Source: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/great-depression
- What do the tales reveal about attitudes, values, politics, religion, etc.?
- When you compare the tales to the preface and the introduction, what insights from the tales are confirmed? What ideas did you adjust with the additional information?
ELA Standard
7.5I. Comprehension. monitor comprehension, and make adjustments such as rereading, using background knowledge, asking questions, and annotating when comprehension breaks down.
Social Studies Standard
7.20B. Social studies skills. Analyze information by applying absolute and relative chronology through sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions.
Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.
- Observe: Introduce the text, Tales from Texas. Allow learners to select up to five tales and images.
- Reflect: Learners create a chart of characteristics—characteristics, text structures, etc. Learners compare and contrast their findings with others.
- Observe: Examine the bibliographic information and citation.
- Question: What does the time period reveal about the author’s purpose and possible use for this text? What influenced writers at the time of publication? At the time of the original tales? How would the text and images change if set in today’s time period and geographical locations?
- Reflect: Test ideas by researching more about the 20th century, 1934 in particular, on the following site: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/great-depression
- Question and Reflect: Learners meet for a Socratic seminar after dipping in and out of the materials. Questions include: How do cultural ideas impact what we read and write? Why is it important to examine the time period of a publication to contextualize the author’s approach, methods, and points of view? How does cultural understanding influence deeper comprehension and understanding of authorial intent?
- Additional Questions: How did the introduction and preface add to the reader’s knowledge and experience with the tales?
Cullison, Irene Margaret. Mother Goose finger plays. Illustrated by C. M. Burd. Philadelphia: George W. Jacobs & Co., 1915. https://www.loc.gov/item/19015140/.