Campfire Cryptids: Holiday Horrors and Legends
In this one-time class, learners will discover the origins of some of the holiday- and winter-season's most fearsome and legendary beasts and why humans develop such stories and folklore.
Danny Beckwith
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(36)
What's included
1 live meeting
1 in-class hoursClass Experience
The coldest time of year is known for staying indoors and telling stories. In this class, learners will discover some of the legendary beasts, holiday horrors, and storytelling traditions of the season. The class will include: - a story/oral tradition for each European monster/creature - discussion about the meaning of each story (why was it developed? why has it persisted?) - speculation on whether these creatures could actually exist using biological principles Learners are encouraged to ask questions, speculate, and share their knowledge in open discussion. This program has elements of storytelling and learners should curl up by the fireside to hear some strange tales about the holiday season that they can share with others. We'll share stories of European origin to gain a better perspective on how people survive the winter months by exploring their holiday oral traditions. Stories/Oral Traditions will include: The Yule-Tide Lads - Original verse by Jóhannes úr Kötlum, translated by Hallberg Hallmundsson The Christmas Cat - Original verse by Jóhannes úr Kötlum, translated by Hallberg Hallmundsson The Christmas Spider - European Folklore Mari Lwyd - Welsh Folk Tradition Krampus - Alpine Traditional Folklore
Learning Goals
Learners will be able to:
- recognize how people around the world celebrate the holidays by learning about new traditions
- repeat the stories and oral traditions to others
- identify each stories' country of origin and it's purpose
- assess why these stories are important
- hypothesize about the feasibility of each creature's existence
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Some of the oral traditions and holiday tales can feature mildly frightening or spooky creatures along the lines of an original Grimm's Fairy Tale or a Goosebumps book. Some of the creatures in the stories are mischievous in nature. Care is taken to balance a cheerful fright while being accurate to the oral traditions.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We will use the translated version of the original 1932 Christmas is Coming: The Original Verse for Children by Jóhannes úr Kötlum, translated by Hallberg Hallmundsson.
Joined October, 2020
4.9
36reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
For ten years I have been teaching and telling stories about our natural world to audiences of all ages. To tell these stories, meticulous research must be done to accurately portray and convey the information of these traditions. I look for and use primary sources of information when available. All of the stories and oral traditions shared in this class are of European origin.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$12
per classMeets once
60 min
Completed by 19 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
1-6 learners per class
