Deconstructing Fairy Tales: A Critical Lens
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we reimagine classic fairy tales to reflect a more equitable world, challenging traditional gender roles and social norms while staying true to the art of storytelling?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do fairy tales reflect the values and beliefs of the cultures they come from?
- In what ways can fairy tales perpetuate stereotypes, particularly about gender?
- How can we challenge traditional gender roles and social norms through creative writing?
- What makes a story engaging and meaningful for a modern audience?
- How can we use language and character development to promote more equitable and inclusive narratives?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to identify and critique gender stereotypes and social norms present in classic fairy tales.
- Students will be able to rewrite fairy tales to promote equitable gender roles and inclusive narratives.
- Students will be able to apply critical literacy skills to analyze and deconstruct texts.
- Students will be able to create engaging and meaningful stories for a modern audience.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsFairy Tale Trial
Hold a mock trial where a classic fairy tale character is on trial for upholding harmful stereotypes. Students take on roles as lawyers, witnesses, and jurors, presenting arguments and evidence based on the original story and their critical analysis.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Stereotype Spotting
Students identify and analyze gender stereotypes and social norms in classic fairy tales.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written analysis of the stereotypes and social norms found in the chosen fairy tale, including specific examples and their potential impact.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to identify and critique gender stereotypes and social norms present in classic fairy tales.Character Role Reversal
Students select a character from a classic fairy tale and reimagine their role, challenging traditional gender expectations.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA character profile outlining the reimagined role, including a description of the character's new traits, motivations, and actions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to rewrite fairy tales to promote equitable gender roles and inclusive narratives.Modern Moral Compass
Students update the moral of a classic fairy tale to reflect modern values and promote inclusivity.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA statement of the original moral and a revised moral, along with a rationale explaining why the change was made and how it promotes more equitable values.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to rewrite fairy tales to promote equitable gender roles and inclusive narratives.Fairy Tale Remix
Students rewrite a classic fairy tale, incorporating their analyses and reimagined roles to create a new, equitable version of the story.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA complete rewritten fairy tale that challenges traditional stereotypes and promotes equitable values.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goals: Students will be able to rewrite fairy tales to promote equitable gender roles and inclusive narratives; Students will be able to create engaging and meaningful stories for a modern audience.Critical Reflection Essay
Students reflect on their rewriting process, discussing the challenges and insights gained while deconstructing and reimagining the fairy tale.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA reflective essay discussing the process of deconstructing and rewriting the fairy tale, highlighting the challenges, insights, and the importance of critical literacy.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to apply critical literacy skills to analyze and deconstruct texts.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioDeconstructing Fairy Tales: A Critical Lens Rubric
Stereotype Analysis
Demonstrates the ability to identify, analyze, and explain gender stereotypes and social norms in classic fairy tales.Identification of Stereotypes
Accurately identifies and provides specific examples of gender stereotypes and social norms within the chosen fairy tale.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies numerous stereotypes and social norms with insightful and nuanced examples from the text. Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of their potential impact.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies several key stereotypes and social norms with clear examples from the text. Explains the potential impact of these stereotypes effectively.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some stereotypes and social norms, but the examples may be general or lack specific textual support. Explains the impact of these stereotypes in a limited way.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify clear stereotypes and social norms. Examples are vague or missing. Explanation of impact is minimal or absent.
Analysis of Impact
Analyzes the impact of identified stereotypes on characters, plot, and the overall message of the fairy tale.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the stereotypes' impact, demonstrating a deep understanding of their influence on the story and its message.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers a clear and thorough analysis of the stereotypes' impact on the story, characters, and message.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a basic analysis of the stereotypes' impact, but may lack depth or specific examples.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a minimal or unclear analysis of the stereotypes' impact, with little connection to the story's elements.
Character Reimagination
Demonstrates the ability to reimagine a fairy tale character, challenging traditional gender roles and creating a new, equitable role.Role Subversion
Effectively reverses or subverts the traditional gender role of the chosen character, creating a new role that challenges expectations.
Exemplary
4 PointsCreates a highly original and compelling reimagined role that convincingly subverts traditional expectations and presents a nuanced, equitable alternative.
Proficient
3 PointsDevelops a clear and well-reasoned reimagined role that effectively challenges traditional expectations.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a reimagined role with some elements that challenge traditional expectations, but may lack originality or depth.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to create a convincing reimagined role that significantly departs from traditional expectations.
Character Profile Development
Develops a detailed character profile that outlines the reimagined role, including new traits, motivations, and actions.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe character profile is exceptionally detailed and vividly brings the reimagined role to life. The new traits, motivations, and actions are thoroughly developed and highly believable.
Proficient
3 PointsThe character profile is detailed and clearly outlines the reimagined role. The new traits, motivations, and actions are well-developed and logical.
Developing
2 PointsThe character profile provides some details about the reimagined role, but may lack depth or clarity in describing the new traits, motivations, and actions.
Beginning
1 PointsThe character profile is incomplete or lacks essential details about the reimagined role. The new traits, motivations, and actions are vague or missing.
Moral Revision
Demonstrates the ability to identify the original moral of a fairy tale and revise it to reflect modern values of inclusivity, empathy, and social justice.Identification of Original Moral
Accurately identifies the original moral of the chosen fairy tale.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies the original moral with exceptional accuracy and provides a nuanced understanding of its cultural and historical context.
Proficient
3 PointsClearly and accurately identifies the original moral of the fairy tale.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies the original moral, but the explanation may be somewhat general or lack specific details.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify the original moral of the fairy tale or provides an inaccurate interpretation.
Moral Revision and Rationale
Crafts a new moral that promotes inclusivity, empathy, and social justice, and provides a clear rationale explaining the change.
Exemplary
4 PointsCrafts a highly original and impactful new moral that powerfully promotes inclusivity, empathy, and social justice. The rationale is exceptionally clear, insightful, and persuasive.
Proficient
3 PointsCreates a clear and well-reasoned new moral that effectively promotes inclusivity, empathy, and social justice. The rationale provides a strong justification for the change.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a new moral with some elements of inclusivity, empathy, or social justice, but the rationale may be somewhat vague or incomplete.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to create a new moral that effectively promotes inclusivity, empathy, or social justice. The rationale is minimal or unclear.
Rewritten Fairy Tale
Demonstrates the ability to rewrite a classic fairy tale, incorporating character role reversals and updated morals to create a new, equitable version of the story.Incorporation of Reimagined Elements
Successfully incorporates the character role reversals and updated morals developed in previous activities into the rewritten fairy tale.
Exemplary
4 PointsSeamlessly integrates the reimagined character roles and updated morals into the rewritten fairy tale, creating a cohesive and impactful narrative.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively incorporates the reimagined character roles and updated morals into the rewritten fairy tale.
Developing
2 PointsIncorporates some of the reimagined character roles and updated morals into the rewritten fairy tale, but the integration may be inconsistent or incomplete.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to incorporate the reimagined character roles and updated morals into the rewritten fairy tale.
Narrative Effectiveness
Rewrites the story with attention to language, character development, and plot to promote equitable gender roles and inclusive narratives.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe rewritten story is exceptionally well-crafted and engaging, effectively promoting equitable gender roles and inclusive narratives through skillful use of language, character development, and plot.
Proficient
3 PointsThe rewritten story is well-written and engaging, effectively promoting equitable gender roles and inclusive narratives.
Developing
2 PointsThe rewritten story shows some effort to promote equitable gender roles and inclusive narratives, but may lack polish or consistency.
Beginning
1 PointsThe rewritten story struggles to promote equitable gender roles and inclusive narratives and may be poorly written or difficult to follow.
Critical Reflection
Demonstrates the ability to reflect on the rewriting process, discussing the challenges and insights gained while deconstructing and reimagining the fairy tale.Reflection on Process
Reflects on the challenges faced during the rewriting process and discusses the insights gained about gender stereotypes, social norms, and the power of storytelling.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a deeply insightful and nuanced reflection on the rewriting process, demonstrating a profound understanding of the challenges, insights, and the transformative power of storytelling.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers a clear and thoughtful reflection on the rewriting process, discussing the challenges and insights gained.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a basic reflection on the rewriting process, but may lack depth or specific examples.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a minimal or superficial reflection on the rewriting process, with little discussion of challenges or insights.
Analysis of Changes and Impact
Analyzes the changes made to the fairy tale and their impact on the story's message.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the changes made to the fairy tale and their profound impact on the story's message, demonstrating a deep understanding of critical literacy.
Proficient
3 PointsOffers a clear and thorough analysis of the changes made to the fairy tale and their impact on the story's message.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a basic analysis of the changes made to the fairy tale and their impact, but may lack depth or specific examples.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a minimal or unclear analysis of the changes made to the fairy tale and their impact, with little connection to critical literacy.