Fractured Fairy Tales

Denise West

The goal of this lesson is to utilize fractured fairy tales to enhance students’ skills of drafting and revising for word choice.

Goal

Objectives

• become more familiar with the writing trait of word choice

• use suitable technology to plan a fractured fairy tale

Students will:

• complete a story map based on a known fairy tale

• practice the trait of word choice during drafting and revision

• write a fractured fairy tale

The Advantages of Teaching the Traits of Writing Are:

Captures the qualities of what good writing looks like.

Provides a common vocabulary for talking about writing.

Allows students to become self evaluators.

Culham (2003)

What the Research Says

Using Models to Support Writing Instruction

Models are essential when we are trying to teach some- thing new; they guide us in our teaching and allow us to support our students by showing them examples of what to do as well as how to do it.

Burke (2003)

Teaching Word Choice

Fletcher states:

“If there is a secret to better descriptive writing, it’s this: stronger verbs.”

Romano’s view:

“Talking about language is worth the class time it takes … Language choices are crucial to shaping authentic voice.”

Thomason and York write:

the teacher “makes sure that she thinks aloud about her verb choicedecisions. She has taught her fourth graders to listen for strong verbs, to look for them as they read, and to use them when they write.”

Elements of Fairy Tales

Set in the past – long ago Include fantasy, supernatural or make-believe aspects Usually have clearly defined good characters and evil characters Involve magic elements: could be magical people, animals, or objects Magic can be positive or negative Plot is centered on a conflict or problem that needs to be solved Often have happy endings, based on the resolution of the conflict or problem May include objects people or events in threes Usually teach a lesson or demonstrate values important to the culture Do not need to include fairies Sometimes have repetition of words, phrases or events

Create a story map of The Three Little Pigs

http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/story-30008.html

http://readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/story-3000.html

What is a fractured fairy tale?It is a story that uses a fairy tale you know and changes the characters, setting, plot, or points of view.

Listen to The Three Little Tamales

Make a three column chart with these headings:

interesting words

specific nouns

strongverbs

Write you own fractured fairytale

With a partner or in a group of three:

Pre-write a fractured fairy tale by changing oneor more elements in the story map.

Draft your tale focusing on word choice

Revise by looking for those tired words and replacingthem with strong verbs, interesting words and specific nouns.

Brainstorm a list of words associated with thechanged element to use during revision.

Be prepared to share your fractured fairytalewith the whole group.

Ideas to consider when thinking about your particular students

use a fairy tale of their own choosing write the tale as a play and perform it

publish in book form and place in the library for checkout

guest read their tale in other classrooms

Students might…

write the tale from a different point of view

Thomason, T., & York, C. (2002). Absolutely write: teaching the craft elements of writing. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon Publishers, Inc..

Culham, R. (2003). 6+1 Traits of writing: the complete guide grades 3 and up. New York: Scholastic Professional Books.

Burke, J. (2003). Writing reminders: tools, tips, and techniques. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Fletcher, R., & Portalupi, J. (1998). Craft lessons: teaching writing K-8. York, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.

Romano, T. (2004). Crafting authentic voice. Portmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Bibliography

Kimmel, E.A. (2009). The three little tamales. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Children.