Exploring Cultures
through
Fairytales
Discovering Others through
Reading & Writing
Jill Haltom
North Star of Texas Writing Project
Lewisville ISD
June 17, 2004
Objectives
1.
Integrate reading and writing with
social studies (World Geography)
2. Use reading and writing as tools for
learning/discovery of different
cultures
3. Reinforce story structure through
exploration of children’s books
4. Promote learning in a social
context
Research Theory
Learning through Writing :
“What is striking about writing as a process is that,
by its very nature, all three ways [enactive,
iconic & representational modes of
learning]…are simultaneously employed.”
(Emig, 1983, pg. 126)
Integrating Subjects:
“Writing is how we think our way into a subject
and make it our own.” (Zinsser, 1988, pg. 16)
Research Theory
Social Context:
“Cooperative learning promotes higher
achievement than competitive and individualistic learning structures across all age levels,
subject area, and almost all task.” (Kagan, 1994,
pg. 3:1)
“What the child can do in cooperation today he
can do alone tomorrow.” (Vygotsky, 1962, pg.
26)
Learning Layout
Materials
Chart paper, (Traditional
story of Cinderella—
optional)
Chart paper, overhead or dry
erase board
Bubba, the Cowboy Prince by
Helen Ketteman
Chart paper, overhead or dry
erase board
(Same as above)
Approach
Whole class: review story
structure of Cinderella—
record story on chart paper
Whole class: brainstorm
cultural details
Read aloud to class
Shared writing: map story
structure
Shared writing: record
cultural details/differences
Learning Layout
Various cultural versions of
Cinderella, group cards, chart paper
or construction paper for each group,
markers
Manila or white construction paper,
map pencils or markers
Small Groups: students read and
write about a different version of
Cinderella.
Reader: read story to group
Recorder 1: records story structure
Recorder 2: records cultural
details/differences
Reporter: Reports to class
Individual: each student creates a
visual representation of cultural
differences in his/her “Cinderella”
Group cards
Small Groups: students rotate to
share & compare
Students’ journals or notecards*
Closure: students record what they
have learned, including any further
questions. Invite to SHARE! 
(*Use notecards if collecting for
evaluation.)
Writing Extension
Students create their own Cinderella story:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Current culture of student’s family
Regional culture of United States
Different time era (Civil War era, 1920’s, 60’s, etc.)
Time era of parents or grandparents
Literature connection: write from time era in a
novel
Student chooses research area & genre
NOTE: Use story structure chart & cultural differences chart for
prewriting, research and/or revising. 
Publishing Ideas
1. Arrange for students to
read stories to elementary
school classes
2. Display books in school
library
3. Allow for story to be
adapted into a play &
perform (PTA?)
4. Wherever there is a REAL
audience…PUBLISH!
TEKS Connections
Language Arts TEKS, Grade 6:
Reading: 1 A; 3A; 4A,B,C; 8
A,B,C,D; 10A, C, D, E, G, I, L; 11
A, B, C, D; 12 B, C, E, F, G; 13 A,
E; 14 A, B, C
Writing: 15A, C; 18A, 20A
References
Emig, Janet (1983). The Web of Meaning.
Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Kagan, Spencer (1994). Cooperative Learning. San
Clemente, CA: Kagan.
Vygotsky, Lev (1962). Edited and translated by
Eugenia Hanfmann and Gertrude Vakar. Thought
and Language. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Zinsser, William (1988). Writing to Learn. New
York, NY: Harper & Row Publishers.
Fairytale Bibliography
Climo, Shirley. 1989. The Egyptian Cinderella. Ill. Ruth Heller. New
York: HarperCollins Publishers. 069004822X
Climo, Shirley. 1999. The Persian Cinderella. Ill. Robert Florczak. New
York: HarperCollins Publishers. 0060267631
DePaola, Tomie. 2002. Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story. New York:
G. P. Putnam’s Sons. 0399238662.
Han, Oki S. 1996. Kongi and Poti: a Cinderella Story from Korea. New
York: Dial Books for Young Readers. 0803715714.
Hickox, Rebbeca. 1998. The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern
Cinderella. Ill. Will Hillenbrand. New York: Holiday House Book.
0823413314
Ketteman, Helen. 1997. Bubba the Cowboy Prince. Ill. James
Warhola.New York: Scholastic Press. 0590255061.
Fairytale Bibliography
Ai-Ling, Louie. 1982. Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China. Ill. Ed
Young. New York: Philomel Books. 039920900X
Martin, Rafe. 1992. The Rough-Face Girl. Ill. David Shannon. New York:
G. P. Putnam’s Sons. 0399218599
Sanderson, Ruth. 2002. Cinderella. Boston: Little, Brown and Company.
0316779652.
San Souci, Robert D. 1998. Cendrillon. Ill. Brian Pinkney. New York:
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 068980668X
San Souci, Robert D. 1994. Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story. Ill.
Dan San Souci. New York: Delacorte Press. 0385312024.