Fairy Tale Image
Introduction
Tasks
Process
Product Choices
Evaluation
Conclusion
 
Introduction

"You can understand and relate to most people better if you look at them -- no matter how old or impressive they may be -- as if they are children. For most of us never really grow up or mature all that much -- we simply grow taller. O, to be sure, we laugh less and play less and wear uncomfortable disguises like adults, but beneath the costume is the child we always are, whose needs are simple, whose daily life is still best described by fairy tales."
Leo Rosten

Tasks

Students will be able to describe the characteristics of fairy tales, as well as discuss the similarities and differences between several versions of the same tales. Ultimately, students will create a product that demonstrates their knowledge of the subject matter.

  • by writing their own version of a tale, or....
  • creating a way to take the perspective of 1 character and tell "their side of the story," or....
  • capture the essence of the fairy tale using an Non-linear PowerPoint Acrostic (including a slide detailing their conclusion as to the lesson "taught" by the story.
Process

Step 1:

Using 2 of the sample fairy tales below, read as a class or by the teacher, teacher and students will brainstorm and discuss the similarities and differences between the two using a venn diagram. What attributes did the two have in common that set the "fairy tale" apart from other types of stories.? (Teacher Resource #1)

You may want to use 1 or more of the following graphic organizers to help you do this:

 

Step 2:

Have students read another fairy tale. At this site students can set parameters for what type of fairy tale they would like to read or skip to the list of tales. (To differentiate the activity for readers having difficulty, there are audio versions for several of the tales.) After reading, students will justify why this story is a fairy tale.... or isn't using the following PowerPoint Template.
(Verbal linguistic)

Step 3:

Read the "original version" of the fairy tale assigned to your class (#7-22 below.) Discuss the elements that make it a fairy tale. You may choose any of the following activities to follow.

 

Now read 1 or more of the other versions of the tale as a large group. Use a Double Venn diagram (visual/ spatial, verbal/ linguistic) to compare the versions. After reading the 3rd version, use a Triple Venn Diagram ( visual/spatial, verbal/linguistic) to find common traits. Discuss the traits that are common to all three. Discuss what was changed for each version. "Fractured fairy tales are traditional fairy tales, rearranged to create new plots with fundamentally different meanings or messages. ( From "The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales") Many of your extra versions were fractured fairy tales. Can you name them?

Step 4:
Choose a final product of your tale from the product choices below.

Resources For Comparing Fairy Tales

Source Number Title of Book
 
Sample Fairy Tales U
(Use either Anthology or 2 Trade books)
1*
Eric Carle's Treasury of Classic Stories for Children."New York: Scholastic Paperbacks, 1995.
2
Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. "Hansel and Gretel." New York, NY: Dutton Children's Books
3
Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. "Rumpelstilskin." New York, NY:Clarion Books, 1985.
4
Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Singapore, China: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1972.
5*
Grimm, Jacob and Grimm Wilhelm. "The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales." New York, NY: Pantheon Books, 1944.
6
Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. "The Musicians of Bremen." Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2005.
*
anthology
Cinderella
9
 Brown, Marcia. " Cinderella." New York, NY: Antheneum Books, 1954.
10
 Martin, Rafe. "The Rough-Face Girl." New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons. s1992.
11
 Climo, Shirley. "The Egyptian Cinderella." New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 1989.
12
 Climo, Shirley. "The Irish Cinderlad." New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 1996.
13
 Louie, Ai-LIng. "Yeh-Shen- A Cinderella Story from China. " New York, NY: Philomel Books, 1982.
Jack and the Beanstalk
14
 Benaduce, Ann Keay. "Jack and the Beanstalk." New York, NY: Philomel Books, 1999.
15
 Oaborne, Mary Pope. "Kate and the Beanstalk." New York, NY: Atheneum Books, 2000.
16
 Briggs, Raymond. "Jim and the Beanstalk," New York, NY: The Putnum Berkley Group, Inc., 1970,
The Three Little Pigs
17
 Zemach, Margot. "The Three Little Pigs." Hong Kong, HK: Sunburst Books, 1990.
18
 Lowell, Susan. "The Three Javelinas." Hong Kong, HK: Rising Moon, 1992.
19
 Scieszka, Jon. "TheTrue Story of the Three Little Pigs." New York, NY: Penguin Books USA, Inc., 1989.
Little Red Riding Hood
20
 Hyman, Trina Schart, "Little Red Riding Hood." New York, NY: Holiday House, 1983.
21
 Forward, T. "The Wolf's Story." Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press, 2005.
22
 Young, Ed. "Lon PoPo." New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Books, 1989.

Final Product Choices

Choose one of the following products to present your tale or "fractured tale."

  • Make up your own "fractured tale" by visiting this site : http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/fairytales/ To get ideas click on the link "Write your own fractured fairy tale." Draw at least 3 pictures to show the beginning, middle and end of your story. Insert into PhotoStory and then narrate your story. (*Verbal/Linguistic, Visual/Spatial, Bodily Kinesthetic.)
  • Write your fractured tale from the perspective of one of the "other" characters. When done, make up 10 questions to "interview" your character, being careful to include all the parts of your story. Get a friend to ask you the questions as you "take on " the person of that character for an "on camera" interview on the set of the Raptor 4 News." Here is a sample of interview questions. (Do Not use for your interview questions.)(*Verbal/Linguistic, Bodily/Kinesthetic)
  • Do an acrostic non-linear PowerPoint. describing either the original story or one of the other versions. Use a character name, the title or a memorable place in your story. The viewer will click on the letter of the word which will be linked to another slide explaining what that letter stands for. Illustrate your first slide with a scene from your story. Even better, would be to make it rhyme. (*Verbal/Linguistic, Visual Spatial, Musical/Rhythmic)
  • Conduct a survey of at least 50 people choosing their favorite from among 6 different fairy tales including the one you wrote. Design you survey to include demographic info like gender, age group, etc. so that deductions can be made about the data. Design and construct a tally sheet and a chart from that data. Present your findings in a PowerPoint presentation. Include inferences you drew about why certain demographics chose particular favorites, etc. (*Logical /Mathematical, Visual /Spatial, Interpersonal)
  • After writing your fractured tale, make it into a rap song. It should have 3 verses with a refrain between them. Draw 4 pictures to illustrate the 3 verses and refrain. Use Audacity to record your song. Put that song with the pictures in Photostory. (*Musical/Rhythmic, Verbal/Linguistic, Visual/Spatial)

* Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences

Evaluation

Use the following rubrics to evaluate you products.Be sure to check them BEFORE you turn your product in to make sure you have included all the designated pieces of the product.You may also use a peer evaluation and an end of research evaluation.

  • Fairy Tale Rubric (Teacher will use this one. You may use it to self evaluate or as peer evaluation.)

Other Evaluation tools:
Conclusion
Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.
Hans Christian Andersen, Fairy Tale Author