Unit Title:
Fairytales…good, bad or just plain frightful!
Subject Area: ELA
Dates:
Duration:
Overview:
Students will work in small groups (2-4) and read a fairytale. The purpose for reading the fairytale is to
contribute to a class data retrieval chart that compares and contrasts the various elements of the fairytale
genre across 5-8 different fairytales.
Teacher should be careful to pick fairytales that will have easily recognizable similarities such as animals that
talk, good and bad characters, the “magic three”, stories with wishes that come true, etc (fairytale common
traits).
Students will read the story, complete a story map, create an illustration with caption for each section of the
class data retrieval chart, and write an expository paragraph that tells the reader how their main character
DOES NOT display the good characteristics such as honesty, responsibility, being a good friend, etc. Students
will need three traits that their character does not display.
Paragraph can range from the five sentence paragraph to the more developed 8 sentence paragraph that
would use the “red” and elaborate on the three traits.
Standards:
RL.3.2
Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or
moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text
RL.3.3
Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings)
RL.3.6
Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.
RL.3.9
Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories
SL.3.1.a Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that
preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.
W.3.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic & convey ideas & information clearly.
W.3.2.a Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding
comprehension.
W.3.2.b Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details.
W.3.2.c Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and)
Students will be able to:
1) RL 3.2
Recount, in discussions with classmates (SL 3.1a), a fairytale and tell the moral or lesson learned and
explain how it is explained by referring to details from the text such as
o Was the character good or bad?
o How did the setting influence, change, or maintain the character’s traits?
o Was there magic in the story? Or talking animals?
o What was the task for the character to do?
o Was the “magic three” used in the story?
o Did the wish come true in the story?
2) RL 3.3
Describe the character (traits, motivation, feelings, actions) in the expository paragraph, and as part of
the class data retrieval chart that compares and contrasts the multiple elements of the fairy tale across
5-8 different fairytales (RL 3.9)
3) RL 3.3 and W 3.2
Write an expository text that conveys the character’s character traits (bad) and explain how the
character does not exhibit the character traits of….provide their point of view on the characters lack of
good traits (RL 3.6)
4) W 3.2
Write a fantastic well developed paragraph that (W.3.2.a) introduces a topic and group related
information together, and (W.3.2.b) develops the topic with facts, definitions, and details, and
(W.3.2.c) uses linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and)
Assessment:
1) Data retrieval chart illustrations and captions that capture key elements of the fairytale, and, contribute
to the whole class understanding of the differences between stories.
2) Create and insert rubric for writing
#___________ Name:__________________________________________ Date:______________
Fairytale Expository Paragraph Assignment
You have learned all your character, and other characters by reading a fairytale, and comparing your fairytale
to other fairytales that your classmates read. Think about what we have learned about all the elements of the
fairytale genre, such as type of character, magic, talking animals, the magic three, wishes that come true,
setting and supporting characters. Write a detailed paragraph explaining how your character does not exhibit
3 common character traits by their actions and thoughts in your fairytale. Make sure you begin your paragraph
with a clear topic sentence. Use transitions, specific vocabulary, correct sentence structure, correct
grammar, and correct punctuation. End your paragraph with a conclusion sentence using a conclusion
transition. Check over your paper when you finish. Remember to proof-read.
Fill in your TAPPP for this project and plan your writing before you begin writing. Skip lines on your rough and
final drafts.
Topic:_______________________________________Audience:____________________________________Plan:____________
Purpose:_____________________________________Product:_____________________________________
Fairytale Paragraph Rubric
Topic sentence is clear
1
2
3
4
Transitions
1
2
3
4
3 character trait details
1
2
3
4
3 explains about the character trait
1
2
3
4
Complete sentences
1
2
3
4
Punctuation
1
2
3
4
Conclusion sentence with transition
1
2
3
4
TAPPP
1
2
3
4
Neatness
1
2
3
4
Effort
1
2
Did you show what you know about your
Character?
1
2
3
3
4
4
Teacher
comments:_________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Resources:
Sid and Dan’s unit work and fairytale characteristics paragraphs
Fairytales
Direct instruction in paragraph and data retrieval chart work
TAPPP chart (prior to writing, organize genre by stating topic, audience, plan (how will you), product
(paragraph), and purpose (why are you writing this…
Final draft fairytale border writing paper