Curriculum:  World Literature, typically 12th grade course

Curriculum Overview:  Students are presented with a variety of writings from non-English speaking authors.  These writings, spanning from ancient times to the 20th century, were chosen to provide students with knowledge as to the culture and historical context of the works.    Assessment such as written critical analysis, oral presentations, multiple choice tests are provided throughout the curriculum.  The culminating project is a literary research paper by the student on a writing of his choice and analyzing the work as it relates to the culture and historical context presented by the author.

Unit of Study:  Fairy tales

Overview :  This unit has been designed to provide students with the understanding that fairy tales reflect the culture, social mores, and environment of the group or country that claims the tale.  The Cinderella fairy tale anchors this unit on analyzing and comparing elements of the tale. Ultimately students will find unique elements of their selected tale and be able to relate these elements to information found on the culture. Instructional strategies within this unit include lecture/discussion, brainstorming by team members, and cooperative learning in researching and creating the oral presentation and power point slide show.

Prior instruction of this unit included a lecture/discussion/research culminating in an oral presentation.  The present unit maximizes enduring understanding as the combination of oral and visual presentation of material appeals to diverse learning styles.
 
CLGs:
1.1.5  The student will identify specific structural elements of particular literary form.

1.2.    The student will construct, examine, and extend meaning of traditional and contemporary works recognized as having significant literary merit.

1.3.2  The student will interpret a work by using a critical approach.

2.2.5  The student will use suitable traditional and electronic resources to refine presentations and edit text.

2.3  The student will locate, retrieve, and use information from various sources to accomplish purpose.

Prior Instruction:  Folklore as an oral product of a particular culture is read and analyzed.  Definition is provided and students are required to make analysis based on the genre definition as well as the cultural context.  Selected readings include  King Arthur, Aesop’s Fables, creation myths and Cinderella tales.
Students are familiar with Inspiration and Microsoft Office, which includes Power Point.
 
 

Objectives:

1. Students will recognize fairy tales as a folklore product that reflects the cultural/social environment of the ethnic group claiming the tales.
2. Students will develop a creative product that reflects critical analysis of the chosen version of Cinderella and the relationship of elements in the story to the environment/culture of the group associated with the version of the tale.
 
 

Activities:

1. The teacher will discuss the elements of the fairy tale as a cultural/social literary product within the broad category of folklore.
2. Students will complete a motivational activity matching elements of a fairy tale to the name of the tale.  Students will correct their own tests and prizes will be awarded to those with 80% or more correct.  Review of the plot of each tale will take place during the correction process.
3. The media specialist will discuss the lives of three major collectors/authors of fairy tales:  Charles Perault, the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson.  Comparison of the cultures of the three countries and how it is reflected in the authors' re-tellings will be discussed.
4. Discussion of the Cinderella tale will include:
a. The historical perspective;
b. A compare and contrast activity:  After reading the Brothers Grimm's version, "Aschenputtel," students will create a chart comparing this version to the Charles Perault's version, "Cinderella and the glass slipper;"
c. Discussion of the commonalties all versions have:
1. Methods of identification of Cinderella;
2. The protagonist is initially loved--circumstances lead to the "Cinderella position."
5.  WebQuest activities and assessment.