Objective: To mix the elements of traditional fairy tales to create fractured fairy tale versions following the narrative format.
Materials: Chart paper, large markers, writing paper, pencils, an assortment of traditional fairy tales, Justin McCory Martin’s
12 Fabulously Funny Fairy Tale Plays.
Procedure: 1. Ask the class the tell you what their favorite fairy tale is and list them on chart paper.
2. For each tale, chart its main elements on large chart paper one after another.
3. Offer the students some models by having them read a number of plays found in Martin’s book, such as Spiderella, Little Late Riding Hood, and Rafunzel. The emphasis will be on writing narrative stories so the plays will simply serve to give students ideas of how they can mix up events, character traits, settings, etc. when writing their tales.
3. Provide each student with a graphic organizer that lists the following fairy tale elements: characters (heroes and villains), setting, magic, tasks to perform and rewards. Students are to use this to organize their fractured fairy tale. Tell them that with a partner they are to mix the elements of two tales or change the circumstances of the tale to create a unique tale of their own. Because these are fairy tales they need to employ some of this genre’s distinct features such as the traditional ways to begin and end (i.e., once upon a time, they lived happily ever after), the use of the number three, the use of magic, the necessity of performing certain feats before succeeding, etc.
4. Circulate among the students as they write, offering encouragement and suggestions.
5. Follow the writers workshop format, holding conferences to help students move from their first drafts to their final drafts.
6. Author’s chair will offer students the opportunity to share their fractured fairy tales with the class.
