Fairy Tales

Students were treated today to fairy tale storytelling.  First, we caught the student's attention by having a black cauldron sitting on a "fire" on the front table along with a basket holding magic potions as they entered the classroom after their time with the music specialist. 

Then we had student volunteers come to the front to put magic potions into the cauldron. These magic potion bottles had colorful scarves inside them that were then put into the pot.  The scarves represented elements of a fairy tale.  As the potions were emptied into the cauldron, we discussed what each element meant and questioned the students for examples....setting, characters, problem, solution, special features such as the numbers 3 and 7.  


After that, we hung up the posters that I created ahead of time to reinforce the elements we just discussed. Each poster background matched the color of potion(scarf) we put into the cauldron.
We left them up to use as a point of reference when the students listened to us read the two fairy tales we chose for today.
Next, we turned off the lights and had the students join us around the campfire (used in a previous lesson) to listen to Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Three Billy Goats Gruff.  Before we read them to the students, I took some time to introduce my story telling blanket.  Melissa had encouraged us (the teachers) to set up our own personal storytelling character that we can use after she is gone.  I brought in a blanket that my great grandma had made for me and I explained to my students that I remember sitting by her and listening to her talk(tell me stories) so that is why I picked this blanket to use.  I also had a picture clue attached to it that I asked the students to look at and try to figure out which story I was going to tell.  I chose a bridge (troll bridge) as my clue.  They had fun trying to figure out which fairy tale I was going to do.  I read The Three Billy Goats Gruff and then we discussed with the students the essential elements of a fairy tale using this story.  Then Melissa read hers and we discussed it.  

That was the end of our time with Melissa for this day.  As an extension the next day, the students and I became writers by rewriting the familiar fairy tales.  I got out berets for each student so the students could get into character!  They loved wearing the berets and using their clipboards to begin their writing!  They spread out around the room....some sitting by friends and being inspired by each other, some choosing to snuggle up on their own and others wanting to write with me.  I am looking forward to having the students share their writing and illustrations after spring break!