Ella Enchanted Lesson Plan

By Michele Higgins

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OBJECTIVES

Students will:

• Identify the elements of a fairy tale
• Compare and contrast two fairy tales based on a similar story
• Utilize knowledge of fairy tale elements to write an original fairy tale

MATERIALS

Books:
Cinderella by Barbara McClintock
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Class set of copies for each of the following:
Comparing Fairy Tales Worksheet (PDF)
Vocabulary Worksheet (PDF)
Fairy Tale Pre-Writing Organizer (PDF)
Word Questioning Worksheet (PDF)
Vocabulary Activity (PDF)
Quiz (PDF)
Class Comparing Fairy Tales Worksheet on chart paper

DIRECTIONS

Before Reading:

On a large class chart, review the different elements of fairy tales. (Create a class chart that looks just like the students' Comparing Fairy Tale Worksheet)  Ask students to think about the fairy tale Cinderella.  If students are having difficulty identifying elements of the story, read it aloud to the class.  Have students identify the elements of fairy tales particular to Cinderella and fill in the chart. 

Students should also become familiar with the vocabulary that is important to the book before they read, especially the titles people had during the Medieval time period.  Give students an opportunity to complete the Vocabulary Activity before they read the book.  Students can use their background knowledge, dictionaries, and online dictionaries to complete the task. 

This is a great book to use during an interdisciplinary unit on the Medieval time period.

During Reading:

Vocabulary Activity: There are many challenging words found in this book.  Included is a Vocabulary Worksheet that includes vocabulary words and the page numbers where the word is found.  Students can define the words before reading or work in groups to complete a Word Questioning Worksheet.  Students can also keep a list of challenging words on a bookmark or in a reading log.

As students read Ella Enchanted they can complete the other side of the Comparing Fairy Tales Worksheet.  Students should add information to the chart each day that they read.  At the end of each session, have students share their findings with a partner, in small groups, or a whole group.

After Reading:

Students will utilize their knowledge of fairy tale elements to write their own modern day version of Cinderella.  Before students write their own fairy tale, they may want to read and compare more versions of the Cinderella tale.  Below are some suggestions:

The Rough Face Girl by Rafe Martin
Anklet for a Princess: A Cinderella Story from India by Meredith Babeaux Brucker and Lila Mehta
Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition by Jewell Reinhart Coburn
Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China by Ai-Ling Louie
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe
Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story by Robert D. San Souci

Before writing, use the Comparing Fairy Tales chart to discuss the similarities and differences between the two versions of Cinderella.  Discuss how the main characters were different, how setting affects the differences in the story, and why the author might have made the changes she did.

Then have the students think about how they can modernize the original Cinderella fairy tale.  Discuss possible settings, problems, solutions, and characters.  Make a class chart of student ideas to help those students who might not have a writing idea.  After the class discussion have students complete the Fairy Tale Pre-Writing Organizer.

Once students have the pre-writing done they can begin writing their stories.  They can write in a picture book format.   

ASSESS STUDENTS

1. Assess students' comprehension of book with quiz.
2. Evaluate students' Comparing Fairy Tales Worksheet.
3. Evaluate students original written fairy tale.

HOME CONNECTION

Have a publishing party and invite parents into the classroom to listen to students stories. 

EVALUATE THE LESSON

Can students identify the different elements of fairy tales?
Did students identify similarities and differences between the fairy tales Cinderella and Ella Enchanted?
Were students able to apply their knowledge of the elements of fairy tales to write their own moern day fairy tale?