Fractured Fairy Tales

1. Fractured Fairy Tales Denise West

2. Goal The goal of this lesson is to utilize fractured fairy tales to enhance students’ skills of drafting and revising for word choice. Objectives Students will: • become more familiar with the writing trait of word • choice • complete a story map based on a known fairy tale • use suitable technology to plan a fractured • fairy tale • practice the trait of word choice during drafting • and revision • write a fractured fairy tale

3. What the Research Says • 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) 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)

4. 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 choice decisions. 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.”

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Listen to The Three Little Tamales Make a three column chart with these headings: strong verbs interesting words specific nouns

9. Write you own fractured fairytale With a partner or in a group of three: Pre-write a fractured fairy tale by changing one or more elements in the story map. Draft your tale focusing on word choice Brainstorm a list of words associated with the changed element to use during revision. Revise by looking for those tired words and replacing them with strong verbs, interesting words and specific nouns. Be prepared to share your fractured fairytale with the whole group.

10. Ideas to consider when thinking about your particular students Students might… 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 write the tale from a different point of view

11. Bibliography Burke, J. (2003). Writing reminders: tools, tips, and techniques. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Culham, R. (2003). 6+1 Traits of writing: the complete guide grades 3 and up. New York: Scholastic Professional Books. Fletcher, R., & Portalupi, J. (1998). Craft lessons: teaching writing K-8. York, ME: Stenhouse Publishers. Kimmel, E.A. (2009). The three little tamales. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Children. Romano, T. (2004).Crafting authentic voice. Portmouth, NH: Heinemann. Thomason, T., & York, C. (2002). Absolutely write: teaching the craft elements of writing. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon Publishers, Inc..