Media Curriculum Unit: Literature Grade 3
Lesson:
Fairy Tales around the World (Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China)
VSC Standard 1:
Demonstrate an appreciation of literature as a reflection of human
experience and reading as a pleasurable activity.
Time Frame:
3-4 ,30 minute whole group lessons using computer, map, data projector
and whiteboard or large paper.
Students will
know that fairy tales have characteristics that are specific to this
genre.
·
Students will be able to identify whether
the characteristics are present in the story.
·
Students will read and discover
Cinderella stories from around the world.
·
Students will be able to identify the
continent and country of origin of the Cinderella tale, Yeh-Shen (China). This lesson has a tie in with the Grade 3
social studies unit on China.
At this point in our study of fairy tales, we have
learned about the characteristics of this genre (magic, good vs. evil, human
hero, enchanted setting, etc.). We have
read the version of Cinderella that is most familiar (Brothers’ Grimm). We have learned that the fairy tales we know
today were told long ago by storytellers.
The stories were told in many parts of the world, which resulted in many
different versions of the same tale. In
fact over 500 Cinderella stories have been found just in Europe. There are even some Cinderella stories that
have a male Cinderella (Bubba the Cowboy Prince)
Today we will read and learn about the Cinderella
tale from China, Yeh-Shen. Yeh Shen is
thought to be the first written tale of Cinderella. It was written in 850 A.D.—over 800 years
ago. Let’s find out where this tale
originated. From the culture grams
website discuss the 7 continents and direct the students to the continent of
Asia.
We will start by visiting culturegrams.com.
and looking at the map of the world on the home page. As a
whole group, the class will learn that Yeh-Shen is set in China which can be
found on the continent of Asia. The following
links will be shown and discussed from the culture grams website: History,
Timeline, Family Rule and China today. Pictures
from the photo gallery may also be shown and briefly discussed.
The geographic location of the story Yeh-Shen will
be reinforced using the full size map and the globe. Students will then be asked for record the
title on the blank maps of the world provided.
Additional continents and book titles will be added as the study of
Cinderella stories from around the world continues.