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Horror Folklore: Urban Legends

In this one-time class, students will have fun learning about urban legends in horror folklore and the history behind the stories.
Jennifer Smith, MA
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(133)
Class
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What's included

1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours
Homework
1 hour per week. No mandatory homework will be assigned; however, I will offer suggestions for further reading.
Assessment
Learner progress will be assessed informally through class discussion and participation.

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
- Students will learn about horror folklore in the form of urban legends and discover the history behind some of these scary tales. Topics included are the following: the history and context in which this type of horror folklore was told, why these urban legends initially caught on, why these horror folktales still persist today, how modern movies and books have been influenced by these horrifying tales. Students will also discover and discuss why this old horror folklore can still scare us even now. 
- Horror folklore stories presented in this class will come from the subgenre of urban legends. 
- Specific folklore/stories included in this class: Bloody Mary, The Smiling Man, Black-Eyed Children, The Man in the Backseat, The Girl in the Gap.
- I will open the class by asking students to share any urban legends they're already familiar with. I will also ask them to name a favorite scary book or movie. I will use their answers to make connections to the class material to be presented. 
- I will use slides to enhance the learning experience. I encourage students to offer input, ask questions, and interact with me and with the other learners. I ask open-ended questions in order to facilitate these interactions.
- No prior knowledge or experience is needed for this class.
Learning Goals
Students will improve their understanding of urban legends in horror folklore from both a literary and historical lens.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Urban legends featured in this class contain violence, frightening events, and macabre imagery.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
My sources for this class: - Dark Folklore by Mark Norman & Tracey Norman - The Mammoth Book of Folk Horror edited by Stephen Jones - Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark collected by Alvin Schwartz - Oral tradition
Joined April, 2020
4.9
133reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in English from Southern New Hampshire University
I am a certified teacher and taught in the public school system for seven years. I am a veteran homeschool educator. I have taught folklore and literature classes for various age groups. I have taught middle and high school students gothic literature classes and have also led literature workshops for adults. I am currently enrolled in graduate school earning my MA in English.

Reviews

Live One-Time Class
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$16

per class
Meets once
50 min

Completed by 55 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
1-18 learners per class

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