Once Upon Today

Curriculum Information

• Grade Level: Year 3 (typically 8-9 years old)
• Subject: English Language Arts (ELA)
• Time Duration: 25 minutes
• Number of Students: 11
• Curriculum Alignment:
  • Common Core State Standards (CCSS):
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.2 – Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3 – Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1 – Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify the key elements of a fairy tale (character, setting, problem, magic, moral/lesson).
2. Orally recount and slightly "twist" a known fairy tale in a creative way.
3. Collaborate with peers to act out their version of a short fairy tale with expression.

---

Materials Needed

• "Fairy Tale Grab Bag" (small bag with printed cards containing various fairy tale characters, settings, and magical items)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Large story dice or fairy tale story spinner (can be crafted in class ahead of time or printed)
• A printed or posted fairy tale "map" visual organizer
• Sticky notes
• Optional: costume box or props (hats, wands, crowns)

---

Lesson Breakdown (25 Minutes)

⏱️ Minute 0–5: "Fairy Tale Snap"

Purpose: Activate prior knowledge and set the tone playfully.

Activity:

• Quick-fire round: Show students images or say keywords (e.g., “glass slipper,” “seven dwarfs”) and ask them to shout out the matching fairy tale.
• Follow up by asking: What makes these stories fairy tales? Guide them to mention elements like magic, clear good vs. evil, talking animals, moral lessons, and "once upon a time.”

Assessment: Observe verbal responses and engagement.

---

⏱️ Minute 5–10: "Tales with a Twist"

Purpose: Introduce narrative elements with a creative variation.

Activity:

• Introduce the “Fairy Tale Grab Bag”.
• Each group of 2–3 students pulls 1 setting card, 1 character card, and 1 magical item card.
  • Example cards:
    • Character: “Tiny Giant”
    • Setting: “Underwater Castle”
    • Magic Item: “Singing Blanket”
• Students briefly brainstorm how to twist a known fairy tale (e.g., Red Riding Hood lives in a skyscraper, and the wolf uses a jetpack).

Assessment: Circulate and eavesdrop on brainstorming, guiding as necessary.

---

⏱️ Minute 10–20: "Pop-Up Performance"

Purpose: Apply comprehension and oral storytelling.

Activity:

• Each group creates a 30-second “stand-up” performance or dramatic re-enactment of their twisted tale using expressive voices and possibly quick props.
• Use the story map as a reminder:
  1. Once upon a time...
  2. The character lived in...
  3. Their magical item helped them...
  4. The problem was...
  5. At the end...

Example:
"Once upon a time, a Tiny Giant lived in an Underwater Castle. One day, she found a Singing Blanket that could put sharks to sleep..."

Assessment: See if they include all the narrative elements, listen for moral or problem-solving, and note expressive language use.

---

⏱️ Minute 20–25: "Moral of the Tale"

Purpose: Reflect and reinforce comprehension.

Activity:

• After all performances, use a Think-Pair-Share:
  • “What is the lesson in your group’s story?”
  • “What made your version of the fairy tale fun or unusual?”
• Write each group’s moral onto a sticky note and place on a “Moral Wall” poster for future reference.

Assessment: Check students' ability to derive themes and summarize messages.

---

Optional Extension Ideas

• Illustrate their twisted fairy tale the next class.
• Begin crafting a class fairy tale book with each group contributing a page.
• Record performances as an audio-book style podcast with sound effects.

---

Differentiation Strategies

• For EL students: Provide picture support for vocabulary and fairy tale elements.
• For Struggling readers/writers: Let them act and speak rather than write.
• For Advanced Learners: Allow deeper twists (e.g., blending two fairy tales or telling from antagonist’s point of view).

---

Teacher Tips

• Keep the pace brisk but fun; the small class size allows each child to participate individually and in groups.
• Use exaggerated or silly expressions yourself to model the tone.
• Incorporate student feedback on favorite tales for future reading/language lessons.

---

Reflection & Exit Ticket (Optional)

As students line up to leave, ask each one:

“What would be the title of your new fairy tale?”

Write a few responses on the board to celebrate creativity.

---

Standards Recap

This fun and interactive lesson targets critical ELA Year 3 skills in story comprehension, narrative structure, and oral presentation, while fostering collaborative learning and creative thinking rooted in traditional fairy tale frameworks.