The Media Library of Genesee Valley BOCES

The Sharp Wits learn the difference between fantasy and real stories. They break fantasy stories into four categories: fables, myths, legends, and fairy tales

Four tales from four different Native-American groups make up this intriguing program, replete with music and colorful animation. Includes "The Turkey Girl" from the Pueblo culture of the Southwest; "The Boy Who Loved Bears" from the Pawnee; "Pelican Girl" from the Pacific coast Miwok; "Story Telling Stone" from the Seneca. (Please Note: This title is also available in the Fall Timely Topics video collection housed at your elementary school library.)

Hiawatha's boyhood is gracefully brought to life against a background of authentic Native American music in this excerpt from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's classic poem. Animated

A charming Indian legend of how the loon, a water bird, received his distinguishing neckband

Story about a frontiersman who planted apple trees throughout the midwestern United States. Animated

A young Hopi Indian boy suffers grave consequences after he frees the sacred eagle of his tribe

Draws as heavily on storytelling as it does on atmosphere, special effects and strong performance in this tall tale of an adventurous boy and a Loch Ness-like creature

An old Texas legend about the Comanche people is retold in this engaging, live-action adaptation of the book by Tomie De Paola

Swords fly as Beowulf battles the evil Grendel in this exciting animated adaptation of the epic poem. Incorporating fascinating sketch art and featuring the voice of Joseph Fiennes as Beowulf. The combination of strong images and the translation into modern English makes the program accessible and enjoyable for students

This program presents the incredible myths and legends that surround King Arthur, a figure whose image has been cloaked in mystery for over fourteen centuries where he has been transformed by time from a fighting warlord into the image of heroic medieval chivalry