Today the goal was to introduce some poetry and get the kids started on their individual fairy tales! They need to get writing them so we can start rehearsing them!
First we started by comparing the story of Sleeping Beauty (I used the Disney version)
to a poetry version by Ken Nesbitt:
We did a dramatic reading of the poem where I had kids choose words to make them sound more interesting in the poem and then I recorded them doing it (a curriculum requirement).
[I'll upload it once I have permission slips back]
Then, to introduce the fact that they are going to be writing their own fairy tales, I had a few students roll these dice and we made up a story about the characters, place, and problem that came up.
Then we played a game I wish I could take credit for (my friend, Alicia came up with it) called FairyTale Telephone. Each student writes down one thing for each category, folds down the paper, and then passes it to the next student. He/she then writes something down for the next category and then passes it to the next person, etc. By the end, they should have a variety of things written down that make for a very interesting story! Here's a few that they came up with:
From here, the kids then kept the one they ended on and they will be able to use it in their story writing. They are free to change whatever they want about the paper they ended up with, but this gives them a starting point in case they don't have anything to start with.
Overall, I think this activity turned out pretty well. I am always amazed at what kids come up with in dramatic readings. They always choose the hardest words like "prophesied," but then the come up with a way of saying it or an action to go with it that makes it pretty darn creative!
The Fairytale Telephone activity didn't go quite as smoothly as I had planned, but it did work. I think I needed to instruct them better and maybe it would've been a bit smoother. The last part (the "Problem") was definitely the hardest, but I knew that was coming. So Mrs. Larsen read a few of the problems I already came up with and most of the kids picked a problem from there.
If nothing else, it helped the kids understand the elements of a fairytale more so they will be more successful in writing one. I'm really excited to see what they come up with. I really think they are going to surprise me with their creativity!
First we started by comparing the story of Sleeping Beauty (I used the Disney version)
to a poetry version by Ken Nesbitt:
Sleeping Beauty pricked her thumb,
started feeling overcome.
Probably she would have died
as the witch had prophesied,
but the fairies had her blessed
so she just got beauty rest.
For a hundred fifty years
she missed balls and film premieres,
till Prince Charming came along
singing out a cheerful song.
Kneeling down he kissed her cheek
hoping that she'd wake and speak.
Sleeping Beauty raised an arm
reaching for the snooze alarm
and her waking words were these:
"Just need five more minutes please."
We did a dramatic reading of the poem where I had kids choose words to make them sound more interesting in the poem and then I recorded them doing it (a curriculum requirement).
[I'll upload it once I have permission slips back]
Then, to introduce the fact that they are going to be writing their own fairy tales, I had a few students roll these dice and we made up a story about the characters, place, and problem that came up.
Then we played a game I wish I could take credit for (my friend, Alicia came up with it) called FairyTale Telephone. Each student writes down one thing for each category, folds down the paper, and then passes it to the next student. He/she then writes something down for the next category and then passes it to the next person, etc. By the end, they should have a variety of things written down that make for a very interesting story! Here's a few that they came up with:
 |
| And by "snack," the 2nd Grader meant "Snake" |
From here, the kids then kept the one they ended on and they will be able to use it in their story writing. They are free to change whatever they want about the paper they ended up with, but this gives them a starting point in case they don't have anything to start with.
Overall, I think this activity turned out pretty well. I am always amazed at what kids come up with in dramatic readings. They always choose the hardest words like "prophesied," but then the come up with a way of saying it or an action to go with it that makes it pretty darn creative!
The Fairytale Telephone activity didn't go quite as smoothly as I had planned, but it did work. I think I needed to instruct them better and maybe it would've been a bit smoother. The last part (the "Problem") was definitely the hardest, but I knew that was coming. So Mrs. Larsen read a few of the problems I already came up with and most of the kids picked a problem from there.
If nothing else, it helped the kids understand the elements of a fairytale more so they will be more successful in writing one. I'm really excited to see what they come up with. I really think they are going to surprise me with their creativity!
Great job teaching the elements of fairy tales in a variety of fun ways. The dice activity is a fun introduction to elements of a story and I'm sure the kids had a blast with those dramatic readings. Wish I could have seen them! At this point in your career it might help to write out directions beforehand when you are going to explain an activity in the classroom. You won't need to read off that paper in the classroom but writing it out will help you to notice any holes in the explanation. The Fairytale Telephone activity is a great jumping off place for their stories.
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