Library Connections
Grade 4, Unit 1/Week 3
“Ali Baba and the Missing Glass Slipper” Compare/Contrast
TEKS 110.15.B3 Reading/Comprehension of Literary Text/Theme and Genre. Students analyze, make inferences
and draw conclusions about theme and genre in different cultural, historical, and contemporary contexts and
provide evidence from the text to support their understanding. Students are expected to: (B) compare and
contrast the adventures or exploits of characters (e.g., the trickster) in traditional and classical literature.
EQ: What experiences can cause a person to change?
ELA Week Theme: Growing Up
Learning Target: I will compare/contrast Slipper and Ali Baba’s ideal dog.
Genre: Fiction/Folklore
Materials / Resources
Books:
Adventures of Ali Baba Bernstein FIC HUR by Joanna Hurwitz
Ali Baba Bernstein Lost and Found FIC HUR by Joanna Hurwitz
Hooray for Ali Baba Bernstein FIC HUR by Joanna Hurwitz
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves 398.2 MCV
any other stories of the Arabian Nights
Procedure
Prior Knowledge
Collaborate with grade level teachers about the LA stories in Treasures, “How Ali Baba Got His
Name” and “The David Bernsteins”. Share an Arabian Night tale to explain the connection to
that Persian folktale. You may also refer to the World Book Student explanation through our
library research tools: http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar027480&st=arabian+nights
Tell students that Joanna Hurwitz wrote many interesting stories about Ali Baba, too. Use
examples from your library and share where they are located.
Modeling and/or Skills Development
From Adventures of Ali Baba Bernstein, read “Ali Baba and Missing Glass Slipper”. Ask students
to predict what the story will be about and to listen for examples in the text that let the reader
know how Ali Baba feels about Slipper at the beginning of the story and then at the end. Ask
them why his feelings changed. Then using a Venn Diagram, ask students to compare/contrast
Slipper to Ali Baba’s ideal dog. Refer to teacher-produced Word document of the dogs’
qualities.
Reflection
Ask, “What conclusions did Ali Baba draw about Slipper’s ability to assist a detective?” and
“Based on his experience with Slipper, do you think Ali Baba’s parents will allow him to have a
dog?”
Library Speak
genre, fiction, folklore