The Truth About Princesses

Princesses have danced through popular fairy tales for many years. Have you ever wondered where princesses live, what they do for fun, or how they behave? Twirl through the pages of this book to find out the truth about princesses.

Read and discuss The Truth About Princesses.

In the fairy tale world, anything can happen. Fairy tales take us back in time and to places we could never visit if we didn’t open a book. Using a wand is a good way to keep the attention of the students. Tap each child or hold the wand over the child you call on to answer. Ask the following open-ended questions: 

1.     What is a fairy tale? –Make a chart listing fairy tale story elements, such as happened long ago, magic, number 3, prince, princess, castle, evil person, good person, happy endings, stark contrast between good and evil, forest, etc.
2.     Which character was your favorite?  Why?
3.     What passage in the story did you like the most?  Why?
4.     What is your favorite fairy tale? Why is that story your favorite?
5.     Ask “What if” questions: What if you were a princess or a prince—how would you use your fame and fortune? What if you had the magical power to change one thing—what change would you make?
6.     Discuss the characteristics that make a hero.
7.     Discuss what is real and what is make-believe.
8.     Why is it important to be nice to others?
9.     What are some of the feelings and emotions of fairy tale characters that are the same as ours?
10.   What fairy tale character would you like to be? Explain why?

Using the story elements of a fairy tale, students will write and illustrate original stories. Imagine what would have happened to Cinderella if her step-mother and step-sisters had been good to her? Would her fairy god-mother have helped her? Would she have met the prince? Write a new version of Cinderella based on these changes. Draw illustrations to help tell the story.

Imagine Cindi Ella as a modern girl. Her family has lots of problems and they discuss those problems on a television talk show. Write five questions to ask different members of the family. Write answers to the questions. Students will act out the scene. 

Write a newspaper article based on a favorite fairy tale.

Write riddles based on fairy tales and ask classmate the riddles. Examples:
I’m spinning gold, who am I? 

I ate a poison apple, who am I? 

I wear my hair in a long braid, who am I? 

Create an imaginary character that possesses a magical power. Write a story about the character. 

Read different versions of Cinderella and make a chart listing the story elements that are alike and different.

Write an acrostic poem using a character from a fairy tale. Begin each line with a letter from the character’s name. Illustrate the poem. Example: SNOW WHITE

Write a diary from the point of view of a fairy tale character. Write an entry for five days or more.

Drama:
Students will dress up as their favorite fairy tale character as they present their writing. 

Students will dramatize their favorite fairy tale by retelling story with a beginning, middle, and end.

Map: Locate places in the world where castles are located.
Discuss where students think the setting of a fairy tale may have happened, such as Germany, France, and China. Locate the different countries on the map.