Cinderella: Variations on a Theme

created by Carolyn & Svein

Grade Levels: Fifth and Eighth (cross-age project)

Abstract:

This lesson provides students in language arts classes with an opportunity to compare and contrast different versions of the Cinderella fairy tale. Students will use traditional library resources, teacher-prepared materials, and the resources of their schools' computer labs. They will begin this unit by accessing the World Wide Web to find both the original fairy tale and alternative versions of the tale to compare with the original. After students have read at least three versions of the story, fifth grade teachers will use Venn diagrams to illustrate the similarities and differences among the various versions. Meanwhile, the eighth grade teachers will ask their students to create charts that illustrate these differences and similarities. Eighth graders will devise vocabulary study activities, such as word searches, crossword puzzles, and spelling lists for fifth grade students to use. Both grade levels will recognize and analyze the literary elements of the original version of Cinderella, completing teacher-prepared task sheets. Students will enter kids' chat groups on the Internet to discuss how the various versions of the fairy tale are both similar and different. Fifth grade students will act out versions of Cinderella after working in cooperative groups to create scripts, to collect props, and to devise sets. Eighth graders will attend the fifth graders' performances and write reviews of them. As a culminating activity, both age groups will write original, individual versions of Cinderella, perhaps using settings drawn from their personal ethnic backgrounds. Students will also publish their stories on the Internet.

Measurable Objectives:

	Students will gain valuable Internet experience by accessing various sites that contain the fairy tales and information about them.
	Students will communicate electronically with other students involved in the project.
	Students will practice their research skills by going to the library to find other versions of the tale.
	Students will improve their vocabularies.
	Students will compare and contrast different versions of the same tale.
	Students will analyze the various elements of fiction (plot, theme, characterization, setting, etc.)
	Fifth grade students will plan and present a dramatic performance.
	Eighth grade students will critique a performance.
	Students will publish their own versions of Cinderella on the World Wide Web.

Materials Needed:

	Word processors and Internet Access through Internet Explorer 5.0
	E-mail addresses for each student
	Teacher-prepared handout of Venn Diagram (fifth graders)
	Vocabulary handout (eighth graders)
	Handout describing the elements of fiction
	Tempera paints and art supplies for making sets
	Library books

Activities Online:

	Students from both grade levels will begin by using the World Wide Web to locate and read the original Cinderella.
	All students will search for variations of the tale by visiting Tales of Wonder. When they arrive at this site they will discover an array of buttons leading to different countries. Their first step will be to hit the England button and then access Tattercoats. The teacher will then provide the class with hints (Russia, Scotland, etc.) that will help the students find other variations of the tale.
	Each eighth grader will be assigned a key pal in the fifth grade class. After reading the stories, the eighth graders will compose vocabulary study pages, which they will e-mail to their pals. The fifth graders will complete the activities and e-mail their results back to the authors.
	Students from both classes will now hook up through a school webboard, which will provide students with chat groups that allow them to share ideas on any subject. Students will set up a "fairy tales" session and, over the course of a few weeks, exchange ideas with students across the entire network.
	The fifth grade students will compose their own new versions of the story, and the eighth graders will write brief essays that compare and contrast the original story with one or more of the other tales. Both classes will post their finished work on a combined website developed by the groups. They will format their writing by following the instructions provided by the teacher.
	Both grades can finish the project by creating illustrations to accompany the collaborative story which they will scan and post.

Activities Offline:

1. All students will read additional fairy tales using books from the library.

2. Eighth grade students will complete a chart comparing and contrasting the various versions of the story.

3. Fifth grade students will complete the Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the various stories.

4. Fifth grade students will work in groups to create scripts, gather props, and produce sets for their performance.

5. Fifth grade students will perform various versions of the tale for their eighth-grade audience. The eighth graders will respond by writing reviews.

Timeline:

Most of the project will take place during a four-week period, but the activity on the webboard groups will continue throughout the term. The preparation phase (including reading the various stories, working on vocabulary, doing charts, and exchanging e-mails) will take two weeks. In the final two weeks the students will complete the writing and publishing phases of the project. The fifth graders will prepare and present their dramatic versions of the story.

Evaluation:

1. Students will have a check-off sheet containing all assignments.

2. Students will be graded on each of these elements of the unit: the compare-contrast diagrams, the vocabulary exercises, printouts of their key-pal chats, group participation, and published written projects.

3. Fifth graders will be required to participate in the dramatic presentations and eighth graders will be required to attend the performances. Failure to participate without an excused absence will result in a lowering of a student's grade.