Book Report Project Ideas: Discovering Fairytales with a Twist

Begin class by reviewing what’s been learned about fairytales and folktales.

• Divide the class into previously formed groups or create groups that will work. The groups will need to work well together so it’s best to select students that get along relatively well.
• Instruct students to read at least 5 different stories. This includes any stories they may have read in previous lessons.
• Ask each group to choose 3 stories to examine more closely and list them.
• Before students read each version ask them to write their predictions of what will be different, the same and how the outcome will be changed. Instruct them to write the book title with predictions underneath.
• Ask groups to select their first listed story and come to you for other versions of this story. You should have a large number of versions of the stories available in your display area (see lesson 1 for preparation). You may need to request students bring books, make copies from the Internet, or borrow from the local and school library. Local bookstores and other teachers are also an excellent resource.

• Instruct groups to read other versions of the first selected story. Rotate with selected stories and the various versions.
• Your role is to rotate amongst groups making sure they stay on topic. Encourage students to discuss common elements in each story and record. When all versions of a story have been read, ask them to compare the elements. Did the basic elements change? What did? How?
• Upon completion refer to their predictions. Were they right? What was correct? Incorrect? How did the story outcome change? How?
• At the completion of the lesson discuss as a class surprises the students found in other versions of the same story. Encourage discussion of predictions and how they were right and wrong.
• Finish class by reading a different version of the story you read last time. Tell the class they should think about what one story they read today they would like to further explore. They should have suggestions for their groups and reasons why they want to further explore that story for the next class.