Forest Activity: The Forest as Inspiration for Literature
Objective: After reading several stories, novels, or plays at their grade level, students will analyze what
role the forest played as a setting, a character, or a symbol in the work and in the culture of the time in
which it was written. (In lower grades all students can read one story or book together; in upper grades,
students could choose a work to read analyze and present to the class, or complete on of the suggested
activities below).
Time Required: varies with age level from one 15-20 minute period to a 50-minute period within the
reading of a chapter book or novel containing reference to a forest to a unit on themes in literature with
reports on separate books or stories. This lesson is meant to be an addition to those done when reading a
selection from your curriculum, which may be one of the titles below, or one related in theme or con-
tent.
Discussion points: Older students could discuss
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Why the fairy tales, with the forest so often portrayed as a symbol of chaos and danger, are so
potent in our memories.
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What language is used to describe the wilderness? What does that say about the beliefs of the
describers or listeners of the time?
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Of what things or ideas has the wilderness been a symbol?
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Can you trace this line of stories back through European history (legends, myths, fables)?
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What lingering attitudes or feelings do we have about the `wilderness"?
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What other tales, myths, legends, and stories do you know in which the forest is a symbol of
something evil or dangerous?
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What stories do you know in which the forest is something benign or positive?
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What stories from non-european cultures feature the forest as a setting or character? What is the
feeling toward the forest in the stories and in the cultures?
Suggested Works:
Early Elementary:
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Berenstain, Stan. Berenstain's Bears and the Ghost of the Forest. Random House, Inc., 1988.
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Frost, Robert. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Dutton children's Books, 1978.
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Grimm, Jacob Ludwig Wilhelm K. Grimm. Little Red Riding Hood. Holiday House, 1987.
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Lesser, Rita and Zelinsky, Paul O. (Illustrator), Hansel and Gretel. Penguin, USA, 1999
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James Marshall (Illustrator). Goldilocks & the Three Bears. The Penguin Group, 1997.
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Milne, A.A. The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh. Penguin, USA.,1996.
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Salter, Felix. Bambi: A Life in the Woods. Pocket Books, 1982.
Late Elementary :
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Irving, Washington. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories (Rip van Winkle). Viking
Penguin, 1999.
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Lesser, Rita and Zelinsky, Paul O. (Illustrator), Hansel and Gretel. Penguin, USA, 1999. Two
children are lost in the woods and encounter a witch.
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McGovern, Ann. Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest. Scholastic, inc., 1987. Outlaws in medieval
England live in the forest.