Lon Po Po: A Chinese Fairytale Lesson Plan

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Now that students have a basic understanding of the day-to-day life in China, I like to engage them in the literature of the Chinese culture. We read many fictional stories, but I always create one lesson around Ed Young's Lon Po Po. This is a Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood. There are many differences and the students love to notice the changes to this version.

OBJECTIVE
Students will:

1. Discuss the story of Little Red Riding Hood
2. Read and listen to a Chinese version of this tale
3. Discuss the similarities and differences
4. Compare and contrast the two stories with a T-Chart

MATERIALS

1. One copy of Red Riding Hood retold by James Marshall (Any Little Red Riding Hood story would do, but this can be found in the Teacher's Store.)
2. Multiple copies of Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young
3. A class set of Fairytale Comparison T-Chart (PDF)
4. Chart paper and markers

SET UP AND PREPARE

1. Photocopy the Fairytale Comparison T-Chart (PDF) reproducible for the class.
2. Make a class version of the T-chart on chart paper with markers.
3. Find from the library multiple copies of Lon Po Po, and one copy of Red Riding Hood.

REPRODUCIBLES

1. Fairy Tale Comparison T-Chart (PDF)
   

DIRECTIONS
Step 1:  Gather the students on the carpet or in a group area. Review what they learned yesterday about Chinese culture.  Instruct that yesterday they looked at a lot of informational books about China, but there are also a lot of fictional stories from China. Today they will be reading a Chinese story similar to one that they already know.

Step 2:  Display Red Riding Hood by James Marshall. Ask how many students know the story of Little Red Riding Hood. If you have time to read the story, read it, but if not, take a quick picture walk through the story. Flip the pages and have the students tell you the story in their own words.

Step 3:  Display Lon Po Po by Ed Young. Tell the students that this is the Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood. Instruct them to pay careful attention to the story and note the similarities and differences.

Step 4:  Distribute multiple copies of Lon Po Po. Try to get enough so that only two people are sharing a book, but if not, make groups of three. It is important that students look at their own book to see the illustrations and read along with the text. This helps them really grasp the differences between the two stories.

Step 5:  As you read the story, stop to ask if they are noticing any differences. Model your thinking, by thinking out loud some of the connections you make to the American version.

Step 6:  When you finish the story, distribute the T-chart reproducible and display your chart version.  Work as a class to fill in the comparisons between the two stories. Ask for any additional comparisons that the students noticed.

ASSESS STUDENTS
Ask and monitor for understanding during group discussions.

ASSIGNMENTS
Fairytale Comparison: T-Chart (PDF)

HOME CONNECTION
Ask students to bring in fairy tales from home that are from another culture. There are so many out there, you'll be surprised what you find.

EVALUATE THE LESSON
Ask questions of yourself and the lesson:

• What went well? 
• What didn't? 
• Did the students have the prior knowledge of Little Red Riding Hood to help them?
• Were all learners able to comprehend Lon Po Po and the comparisons?
• How could you change the lesson to better suit the needs of your class?

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