Fractured Fairy Tales

• Introduction
• Learners
• Standards
• Process
• Resources


• Student Page

Learners

This WebQuest was created for students in grades 4-6 and includes tasks that can be modified for students of differing abilities.    

Although this is a project that can be completed individually, I am asking students to complete the tasks with a partner.  By collaborating together, students have the opportunity to help each other, allowing struggling readers or English Language Learners to work with student peers that can provide necessary support in the reading and writing tasks.  

The fairy tale genre is a very good fit for struggling readers and writers because many are stories that students are already familiar with.  This puts less pressure on those students that typically struggle with vocabulary and comprehension because they will already familiar with the plot and characters.  In terms of the writing component, in asking students to write a "fractured" fairy tale, teachers are actually providing a template for students to use.  This is a writing assignment that may not prove to be as anxiety-inducing as other writing in which students have to create a story from "scratch."  By asking them to put a twist on a story they have read and are familiar with, they do not feel as much pressure to come up with the characters and plot; instead, they can simply have fun by changing the story to include details that they find humorous and creative.   

Some of the vocabulary found in fairy tale stories is very specific to this genre and not found in many other readings; this could potentially present a challenge to English Language Learners that are not familiar with this vocabulary.  Before asking students to begin this WebQuest, it is critical that the fairy tale genre be explored: common vocabulary, themes, plots, characters, etc.  This will prepare all students for the reading they will do.

Talented and Gifted (TAG) students might also need further tasks to maintain interest; this might include using the internet to research less well-known fairy tales and/or fairy tales from other regions of the world and then writing a "fractured" version of those stories.