Education Technology


NCTE: Unveiling New Urban Legends

Activity Overview

In this activity, the class will sit in a circle and share their urban legends in a campfire setting.

Before the Activity

See the attached Activity PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity.

Print the appropriate pages from the Activity for your class.

Install the LearningCheck(tm) App on the students' graphing calculators following the attached instructions.

Construct a faux campfire. A rotating lamp and a few pieces of firewood can produce a safe facsimile.

During the Activity

  • Distribute the appropriate pages from the Activity to your class
  • Distribute the LearningCheck(tm) file(s) to your class using TI Connect(tm) and the appropriate TI Connectivity cable
  • Follow the procedures outlined in the Activity


  • Students will:
  • Discuss and analyze urban legends.
  • Rewrite urban legends in a local setting.
  • Share their newly-localized urban legends in a "campfire setting".
  • Identify philosophical assumptions and basic beliefs underlying selected texts.
  • Evaluate the reliability and authenticity of information conveyed in a text, using criteria based on knowledge of the author, topic, and context and analysis of logic, evidence, propaganda, and language.
  • Write creative fiction that includes an authentic setting, discernible tone, coherent plot, distinct characters, effective detail, believable dialogue, and reasonable resolution of conflict.
  • Develop a composition through a series of drafts, using a revision strategy based on purpose and audience, personal style, self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses as a writer, and feedback from peers and teachers.
  • Demonstrate confidence and poise during presentations.
  • Speak fluently with varied inflection and effective eye contact, enunciating clearly at an appropriate rate and volume.
  • After the Activity

    Have students complete the "Reflecting on What You've Done" sheet for homework. Remind students to be skeptical in our age of information overload.