Fairy Tales: The Beginning...

Melissa kicked off our Fairy Tale unit as a very special visitor. As our visiting storyteller, she wore a green hooded cape and brought a small basket that held many surprises. Melissa had packed small jars and tiny bottles that held the potions or essential elements for the story. She also packed a few other surprises like a bat or an antique shoe to keep the students guessing. 

Potions in bottles, Oh my!

Pouring in the purple potion.

Students watched and helped with the pouring of each magic potion (colored scarf) into the black cauldron. Each potion was represented by a different colored scarf that matched up with a teaching poster. As Melissa carefully stirred inside the pot, she withdrew a specific poster that matched up with the potion. The scarves and posters represented characters, setting, problem/solution, and other special features. The posters were hung up to provide students a visual reminder while listening to and writing about fairy tales.

Reading Goldilocks

Then, we traveled to the storytelling area. A special fire was set up as a "campfire" area during our storytelling session. Melissa read aloud Goldilocks and the Three Bears first and reviewed the important elements of her story with the students. Next, I read aloud Three Billy Goats Gruff and again reviewed the elements with students. 

Helpful posters on display

We chose two familiar tales to share with the class because we wanted students to have success recalling and summarizing one of the stories during writing. After choosing their story, students set off to write their summaries during our writing time. They spread out across the classroom and their writing time eventually spilled into the afternoon "Flashlight Friday" reading time too.  

Flashlight writing on a Friday afternoon:)

Students enjoyed illustrating and rewriting these stories. I was was surprised by the student's production. They were paying close attention to details in their writing and their drawings. Two students even asked to finish up over Spring Break!