Lesson Plan
Connecting Families through Folk Stories and Fairy Tales
| Subject: | Literacy |
| Grade span: | K to 5 |
| Duration: | Varies |
Description:
This lesson is one example of a family literacy project aimed at engaging culturally and linguistically diverse families. Requests and blank booklets are sent home asking parents to write down a folk story or fairy tale from their childhood in their primary language. Students rewrite the story in English in their own booklet and add illustrations. Parent and child are then invited to present their story to the rest of the class in both languages. A culminating event celebrates the contributions of all families.Note:
Adapted from: Stuczynski, A., Linik, J., Novick, R., Spraker, J., Tucci, P., & Ellis, D. (2005). Tapestry of tales: Stories of self, family, and community provide rich fabric for learning. Portland, OR: Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
Learning Goals:
- Promote cross-cultural awareness and appreciation among students, families, and staff
- Strengthen connections between home and the afterschool program
- Increase student/family engagement
- Familiarize students with the elements of the fairy tale/folktale genre
Materials:
- Fairy tales and folk stories from various cultures, including students' countries of origin
- Blank "books" made of stapled sheets of paper
- Invitations translated into students' home languages
- Crayons, markers, and construction paper
- Student worksheet divided into six panels
Preparation:
- Familiarize students with the fairy tale/folktale genre by reading and comparing stories from around the world
- Identify key elements of fairy tales, including structure, plot, theme, and literary conventions such as rhythm and repetition
- Identify translators and parents within the community who can serve as contacts for connecting with families of English language learners
What to Do:
- Send letters home to parents in their first language, asking them to share their favorite fairy tale or folktale and write it down in the "book" provided
- Follow up with letters and calls to families to encourage everyone's participation
- If needed, use translators and other parents to make some of these contacts
- Have students write down the parent's story in English and illustrate it in their own book
- Arrange for parents to come to the classroom and read their story aloud in their home language, while their child presents the story in English. Presentations may be scheduled over several weeks.
- Have students take notes during presentations by creating "storyboards" on their worksheets with words and illustrations
- As a culminating event, stage a "reader's theater" student performance of one of the shared stories, and invite parents and siblings to attend.
Evaluate (Outcomes to look for):
- Diverse cultures are represented in student-parent presentations
- Improved communication and relationships between families and program staff
- Majority of parents and students participate in the project
- Students demonstrate understanding of key elements of fairy tales through worksheets, presentations, and comments
