Trickster Tale Assignment
Directions: Based on the trickster tales we have read in class (“Coyote Tales”), you will
write your own trickster tale using the appropriate conventions and elements. You may
work alone or in pairs. The tale will be 2 – 3 pages in length and properly formatted.
Remember a title and a heading! We will peer edit in class. Remember to attach this sheet
to your final paper.
***Make sure you include all three of the elements of a trickster tale! Use your notes!
1. Brainstorm different features of the world that you can explain (Ex: Why Whales live
in the ocean, why elephants are afraid of mice; why dogs and cats don’t get along, etc.):
2. Brainstorm what characters will be included in your tale (you do not need to have a
coyote, but you must have a creature that represents the “characteristics”/”personality” of
the coyotes in the stories we’ve read):
3. Brainstorm elements of magic/magical transformations to include.
Rubric for Trickster Tale
4
Excellent
3
Good
Completion
Trickster Tale
is at least two
full pages long
and in the
correct format.
Trickster Tale
is one to two
pages long and
in the correct
format.
Trickster Tale
is one page
long and/or in
an incorrect
format.
Characters
Fully embody
characteristics
according to the
conventions of
Trickster Tales.
Mostly embody
characteristics
according to the
conventions of
Trickster Tales.
Partially
embody
characteristics
according to
the conventions
of Trickster
Tales.
Theme
Trickster Tale
fully includes
Native
Americans’
view of Nature.
Trickster Tale
mostly includes
Native
Americans’
view of Nature.
Trickster Tale
partially
includes Native
Americans’
view of Nature.
Explanation
Trickster Tale
thoroughly and
clearly explains
a feature of the
world.
Trickster Tale
contains no
grammatical
errors.
Trickster Tale
mostly explains
a feature of the
world.
Trickster Tale
partially
explains a
feature of the
world.
Trickster Tale
contains many
grammatical
errors.
Grammar
Brainstorming Fully outlines
how the
Sheet
Trickster Tale
fits the required
elements.
Peer Editing
Sheet
Included with
final draft.
Trickster Tale
contains few
grammatical
errors.
Mostly outlines
how the
Trickster Tale
fits the required
elements.
2
Needs
Improvement
Partially
outlines how
the Trickster
Tale fits the
required
elements.
1
Redo
Trickster Tale
is less than
one page long
and/or in an
incorrect
format.
Do not
embody
characteristics
according to
the
conventions
of Trickster
Tales.
Trickster Tale
does not
include
Native
Americans’
view of
Nature.
Trickster Tale
does not
explain a
feature of the
world.
Trickster Tale
is riddled
with
grammatical
errors.
Does not
outline how
the Trickster
Tale fits the
required
elements.
Not included
with final
draft.