Unit Plan (Backward Design Model)

Title of Unit: Comparing & Contrasting with Folk & Fairy Tales
Grade Level (PreK-3): 2nd Grade

Subject Area (Must be in the area of literacy): English Language Arts & Literacy

Overview of Unit:

This is approximately an 11-day unit on comparing and contrasting the many versions of folk and fairy tales. Instruction emphasizes story structure
and character development in order to determine how the narrative arch can offer both similarities and differences amongst a multitude of similar
texts. Students will understand that similarities in texts offer universal meanings about humanity as well as understand that differences offer
different, but valuable human perspectives. The first lesson will consist of introducing compare and contrast using Red Riding Hood as the model
fairy tale. The next three lessons will mainly consist of whole-class instruction, where the teacher will model compare and contrast skills by reading
various folktales. For the last three lessons, students will use their knowledge of folklore versions and compare and contrast methodology to
develop their own version of a folktale, using storytelling elements from the fairy tale versions read throughout the unit. Students will explain why
they included certain elements in their folktale to demonstrate understanding of compare and contrast as well as discuss key differences in their
peer’s stories in order to cultivate an appreciation for peer and cultural diversity.

Stage 1: Desired Results

Established Goals (Standards):

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a
text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2
Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5
Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes
the action.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7
Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its
characters, setting, or plot

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.9
Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or from different
cultures.

Understandings: Essential Questions:

Students will understand that:
U1. Folktales are a part of the larger tradition of oral story
traditions and human interaction, which represent differences
and similarities between humans across cultures and places.
1. Should we retell and change stories?
2. Why do we like similar stories?
3. How do similarities and differences in stories help us
better understand our world?

U2. The Compare and Contrast method can act as a tool to

articulate meaning about text and images.

U3. Through Compare and Contrast methods, we can better

comprehend key details in stories and traditions.
Students will know:
K1. Compare and Contrast is a valuable method to use when
describing a text, image, or event.
K2. Differences and similarities in folktales offer invaluable
cultural perspectives and means of human empathy.
K3. Understanding similarities and differences help us to make
informed decisions about key elements and designs.
Stage 2: Assessment Evidence
Performance Tasks:
The performance assessment for this unit will span across
lessons five through seven in the Folk & Fairy Tales: Comparing
& Contrasting Unit. Students will choose from a topic and one of
three mediums to create, share, compare, and reflect on their
own version of a fairy tale:
a) Film and/or Dramatic Play
b) Storybird Online Platform
c) Create Puppets & Perform Puppet Show
Regardless of the medium selected, students will be required to
share their fairy tale with the class as well as peers who match
Students will be able to (Skills):
S1. Analyze story structures, character differences, and story
meanings.
S2. Interpret and adopt story telling skills in order to develop
critical thinking skills.
S3. Identify similarities and differences across a literary genre.
Other Evidence:
 Students offer relevant and thought-provoking responses
to essential questions
 Student reasoning for fairy tale selection is clear and
indicates that they have understanding of specific
structure elements inherent to their fairy tale topic
 Students demonstrate engagement in class by frequently
asking dynamic and insightful questions related to key
details in the text
 Student worksheet answers throughout unit
demonstrate comprehension of story structures through
compare and contrast methodology
their fairy tale topic and demonstrate through verbal means how  Students work effectively in both paired and group
their fairy tale enlists the plot structures and dynamics typical of instruction by responding critically to their peers in a
the genre. Another goal of peer interaction will be to identify supportive and effective manner as well as recognize the
how they learned new cultural/elements/connections from importance of peer and cultural differences and its
listening to their peer(s) and to explain why their peer’s version influence on storytelling practices
is valuable apart from their own. For example, what was similar
to their story? Why do they think there are similarities? Is there
an underlining message that we all, as humans, can relate to?
After sharing, students will submit a reflection (Wizer
Worksheet) of their assessment, which will solidify what they
learned through the creation process, peer discussions, and,
ultimately, demonstrate how it helped them address the
essential questions of the unit.

Stage 3: Learning Plan

Summary of Key Learning Events and Instruction

Family Encouragement
 Ask parents to assist students find a tangible object related to their favorite story.
 Encourage families to watch and discuss how the Disney version of Cinderella is different from the versions we read in class.
Talk about how the similarities and differences of the movie and stories change the lesson of Cinderella. Homework
assignments during unit will include reading abridged versions of fairy tales and comparing them to the corresponding
Disney movie for similarities and differences.
 Ask for guest speakers to read fairy tale/folklore to class and discuss why they found the stories valuable and how they use
lessons taught from fairy tales in everyday life

Learning Events
Lessons 1-5/Compare & Contrast Essentials
 Lesson 1: Introduction of the Unit & Essential Questions. Class will watch two different versions of the Red Riding Hood fairy
tale. Students will discuss the different and similar elements of two versions using Venn Diagram. Will discuss how the slight
changes in the story offer different but valuable perspectives. Begin conversation about Cinderella and the many versions of
her tale. Brainstorm about why different versions of a text may exist and its value.
 Lesson 2: Read different cultural versions of Cinderella. Discuss similarities of characters in the two versions read. Discuss
how we can define the Cinderella character for each story through group discussion. After characteristics and cultural
perspectives are determined, the class will split into groups to play a compare/contrast card game, where they must explain
the similarities and differences of the topic before placing down their card.
 Lesson 3: Students will be given a select number of fairy tales. They will then select one and work in groups to read and
discuss the comparisons. Students will utilize compare/contrast modeled in Lessons 1 and 2 to practice methodology
together, with scaffolding from instructor. Give examples how the tale’s moral and/or lesson relates to their own
life/personal life event.
 Lesson 4: Lesson four will emphasize the cultural backgrounds of the tales. Students will review the similarities and
differences discovered in Lesson 3 to determine cultural reasons/perspectives for the differences and similarities found.
Student groups will be given geographical and cultural information in a variety of forms to discover and explore, before
applying their own reasoning.

Lessons 5-7/Adopting Storytelling Techniques through Comparison & Contrast

 Lesson 5: Creating - Introduce project/cumulative assessment of unit. Students will be given a variety of options to interact
with the unit and demonstrate their understanding of the material taught by producing their own fairy tale while
demonstrating how their story is uniquely participating in the folktale tradition. Instructor will review the rubric of what
students should understand from fairy tale and key aspects of compare/contrast. Instructor will model different projects to
demonstrate why project demonstrate a key understanding of the material. Students will select their mode of creation, their
topic, and identify who their partners are through the selection process. The creation process will begin in the appropriate
groups. Lesson 5 may be a two-to-three-day instruction period.
 Lesson 6: Sharing – Discuss and model expectations of performing in front of class before students read/act out their
completed fairy tales. Teacher will guide class discussion during the sharing of fairy tales to the class.
Readings/Performances will be followed with peer interviews, where partnered students will both conduct and be on the
receiving end of the interview. While the interview process is underway, students will be completing their guided worksheet
 on questions to ask/notes to record. Teacher will be circulating to guide interviews and ensure genuine and meaningful
conversations are taking place during the peer exchange. Lesson 6 may be a two-to-three-day instruction period.
 Lesson 7: Reflecting - Students will write and discuss how their classmates’ stories offered different perspectives of the story
and why their story is valuable because of the similarities and differences through completion of Wizer worksheet.
Afterwards, will conclude as a class to discuss the importance of comparison and contrast and talk about how fairy tales help
us understand that stories may be similar, but offer different perspectives of important human ideas.