Exploring the World of Fairy Tales

Title: Exploring the World of Fairy Tales

Compliance: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts - Grade 2

Subject: English Language Arts

Summary: This lesson introduces second-grade students to the world of fairy tales, helping them develop reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.

Topic: Exploring Fairy Tales

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the characteristics of a fairy tale
• Retell a fairy tale using key story elements
• Compare and contrast different fairy tales
• Write a creative ending to a fairy tale

Methodology:

This lesson will be delivered through a combination of whole-class discussions, small group activities, and individual writing tasks. Students will engage in hands-on activities, such as creating story maps and participating in dramatic retellings of fairy tales.

Resources/Materials:

• A collection of fairy tale books
• Chart paper and markers
• Story maps (printable templates)
• Costumes and props for dramatic retellings

Instructions:

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever heard or read a fairy tale. Discuss their favorite fairy tales and what they know about them.

2. Introduce the concept of a fairy tale, explaining that it is a fictional story that often includes magical elements, talking animals, and a problem that needs to be solved.

Exploring Fairy Tale Elements (20 minutes)

1. Display a chart paper with the following headings: Characters, Setting, Problem, Solution, and Moral/Lesson.

2. Read a well-known fairy tale aloud, pausing at key points to discuss and record the elements on the chart paper. Encourage students to contribute their ideas.

3. Repeat this process with one or two more fairy tales, highlighting similarities and differences in the story elements.

Retelling Fairy Tales (30 minutes)

1. Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a different fairy tale book.

2. In their groups, students will read the fairy tale and create a story map, including the characters, setting, problem, solution, and moral/lesson.

3. After completing their story maps, each group will present their fairy tale to the class, using costumes and props to enhance their retelling.

Comparing and Contrasting Fairy Tales (20 minutes)

1. Provide each student with a Venn diagram worksheet.

2. Instruct students to choose two fairy tales and compare and contrast them using the Venn diagram.

3. After completing the Venn diagram, students will share their findings with a partner or in small groups.

Writing a Creative Ending (30 minutes)

1. Explain to students that they will be writing a creative ending to a fairy tale of their choice.

2. Provide each student with a blank sheet of paper or a fairy tale template.

3. Encourage students to think creatively and come up with an original ending that resolves the problem in the fairy tale.

4. Allow students time to write and illustrate their creative endings.

Activities:

• Whole-class discussions
• Small group story mapping
• Dramatic retellings of fairy tales
• Comparing and contrasting fairy tales using Venn diagrams
• Individual creative writing

Assessment:

Assessment will be ongoing throughout the lesson and will include:

• Participation in whole-class discussions
• Completion of story maps
• Quality of group presentations
• Accuracy and depth of Venn diagram comparisons
• Creativity and coherence of individual creative endings

By the end of the lesson, students should:

• Know: The characteristics of a fairy tale and how to identify them
• Understand: The key story elements of a fairy tale and how they contribute to the overall plot
• Can do: Retell a fairy tale using story maps, compare and contrast different fairy tales, and write a creative ending to a fairy tale