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Fairytale Remix: A New Ending

Grade 1English7 days

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5.0 (1 rating)

In this project, first-grade students will explore how character choices and setting influence the plot and resolution of a fairytale. Students will choose a classic fairytale and rewrite its ending by modifying character traits or settings. The project involves analyzing the original story, brainstorming changes, drafting a new ending, and revising for clarity, culminating in a final, illustrated presentation of their fairytale remix. This project enhances creative writing skills and understanding of narrative structure.

Fairytale RemixCharacter ChoicesSetting ImpactCreative WritingStory StructureProblem and Solution

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we rewrite the ending of a fairytale to show how a character's choices and the setting can change the story's problem and solution?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How can the choices of a character change a story?
What makes a character good or bad?
How do different settings affect what happens in a story?
Why is it important to have a problem and solution in a story?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will be able to identify the key elements of a fairytale.
Students will be able to analyze how a character's choices impact the plot.
Students will be able to modify a fairytale ending to reflect changes in character and setting.
Students will demonstrate understanding of story structure by creating a cohesive narrative with a problem and solution.
Students will improve creative writing skills through remixing an existing fairytale.
Students will understand how different settings affect the events in a story.
Students will be able to define the characteristics of good and bad characters.
Students will be able to explain how characters' choices can change a story's outcome.
Students will explore the significance of problem and solution in storytelling.
Students will enhance their comprehension of cause and effect relationships within a narrative

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Fairytale Crime Scene

The teacher stages a 'crime scene' in the classroom where a fairytale character's property is 'missing' or 'damaged'. The students must interview fairytale characters (played by older students or teachers) to gather clues and rewrite the ending of the fairytale to solve the mystery, encouraging creative problem-solving.

The Disappearing Endings

The class receives a mysterious package containing fairytale artifacts with a letter from a 'Fairytale Preservation Society' explaining that the original fairytale endings are disappearing. Students must work together to reimagine and rewrite the endings to preserve the stories for future generations.

Fairytale Talk Show

Students participate in a 'talk show' where fairytale characters are interviewed about their experiences. The host focuses on problems they faced and invites the students to propose and act out new endings that resolve those problems, promoting character development and creative solutions.

Fairytale Today

The teacher presents the students with several images or short video clips depicting modern-day problems that mirror classic fairytale dilemmas. Students discuss how the fairytale characters might face these challenges today and then create a new ending reflecting this modern context, encouraging critical thinking and relatable storytelling.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Fairytale Forensics: Character and Story Mapping

Students will identify the main elements of a chosen fairytale and analyze the main character’s traits and choices. They will complete a character analysis and story mapping exercise to understand the existing narrative structure.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Choose a classic fairytale (e.g., Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood).

2. Read or listen to the chosen fairytale.

3. Complete a character analysis worksheet, noting the main character's traits, motivations, and significant choices.

4. Create a story map outlining the beginning, middle, and end of the original fairytale.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed character analysis worksheet and a story map outlining the original fairytale's plot, character traits, and setting.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with the learning goals of identifying fairytale elements and understanding character choices and their impact on the plot. It supports the standard by focusing on the foundational components of fairytales and how they interact.

Activity 2

Twist It! Brainstorming Character and Setting Changes

Students will brainstorm how changing the character's traits or the setting could alter the story's problem and solution. They will explore different scenarios and note potential changes in the character's actions and the story's outcome.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review the character analysis and story map from the previous activity.

2. Brainstorm different ways to change the main character’s traits (e.g., making Cinderella brave instead of kind).

3. Brainstorm different settings for the fairytale (e.g., Little Red Riding Hood in a city).

4. For each change, discuss how it would affect the story's problem, the character's choices, and the eventual solution.

5. Record these ideas in a brainstorming web or chart.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA brainstorming web or chart that outlines different character/setting changes and their potential effects on the original story.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with the learning goals of modifying a fairytale ending to reflect changes in character and setting and understanding how different settings affect the events in a story. It addresses the standard by encouraging students to think critically about how changes influence the narrative.

Activity 3

New Endings: Drafting the Resolution

Students will begin drafting a new ending for the fairytale, incorporating the changes they brainstormed. They will focus on creating a logical sequence of events that leads to a new resolution of the story’s central conflict.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Choose one character/setting change from the brainstorming web.

2. Plan the new ending by outlining the key events that will lead to the resolution.

3. Write a first draft of the new ending, focusing on clear and simple sentences.

4. Ensure the new ending provides a solution to the story’s original problem, given the changes made.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA first draft of the new fairytale ending, written in simple sentences and organized into a clear narrative structure.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with the learning goals of demonstrating understanding of story structure by creating a cohesive narrative with a problem and solution. It helps meet the standard by requiring students to structure their new ending in a logical and coherent manner.

Activity 4

Polishing the Plot: Revising for Clarity and Detail

Students will revise their draft, focusing on clarity, sequencing, and the cause-and-effect relationships between events. They will add descriptive details to enhance the story and ensure that the ending logically follows from the changes made to the character or setting.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Read the first draft of the new ending aloud.

2. Identify areas where the story is unclear or confusing.

3. Add descriptive details to bring the story to life.

4. Ensure that each event logically leads to the next, creating a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

5. Rewrite any parts of the story that need improvement.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA revised draft of the new fairytale ending, with improved clarity, descriptive details, and a logical sequence of events.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with the learning goal of improving creative writing skills through remixing an existing fairytale and enhancing their comprehension of cause and effect relationships within a narrative. It reinforces the standard by having students refine their rewritten ending.

Activity 5

Happily Ever After (Remix): Finalizing and Presenting

Students will finalize their new fairytale ending, focusing on grammar, punctuation, and presentation. They will create a final, polished version of their story, ready to be shared with the class.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Proofread the revised draft for grammar and punctuation errors.

2. Make any necessary corrections.

3. Write or type the final version of the new ending.

4. Add illustrations to enhance the story.

5. Prepare to share the new fairytale ending with the class.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA final, illustrated version of the new fairytale ending, ready for presentation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with all learning goals, reinforcing the standard by culminating in a final, polished fairytale remix that demonstrates understanding of character, setting, plot, and resolution.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Fairytale Remix Rubric

Category 1

Understanding the Original Fairytale

Assesses the student's ability to understand and analyze the original fairytale.

Criterion 1

Identification of Fairytale Elements

Accurately identifies the main elements of the chosen fairytale (characters, setting, problem, solution).

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of all fairytale elements, identifying and explaining them with precision and insight.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of most fairytale elements, accurately identifying and explaining them.

Developing

2 Points

Shows an emerging understanding of some fairytale elements, with some inaccuracies or omissions.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows a beginning understanding of fairytale elements, struggling to identify and explain them.

Criterion 2

Character Analysis

Provides a detailed and insightful character analysis, accurately describing the main character's traits, motivations, and choices.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides an exceptionally detailed and insightful character analysis, demonstrating a deep understanding of the character's motivations and choices.

Proficient

3 Points

Provides a thorough and accurate character analysis, clearly describing the character's traits, motivations, and choices.

Developing

2 Points

Provides a basic character analysis, with some details missing or inaccuracies present.

Beginning

1 Points

Provides a minimal character analysis, struggling to identify the character's traits, motivations, and choices.

Criterion 3

Story Mapping

Creates a comprehensive and accurate story map that outlines the beginning, middle, and end of the original fairytale.

Exemplary

4 Points

Creates an exceptionally detailed and accurate story map, demonstrating a clear understanding of the fairytale's narrative structure.

Proficient

3 Points

Creates a thorough and accurate story map, clearly outlining the beginning, middle, and end of the fairytale.

Developing

2 Points

Creates a basic story map, with some details missing or inaccuracies present.

Beginning

1 Points

Creates a minimal story map, struggling to outline the fairytale's narrative structure.

Category 2

Brainstorming and Exploration

Focuses on the student's ability to think creatively and explore different possibilities for altering the fairytale.

Criterion 1

Idea Generation

Generates multiple creative and relevant ideas for changing the main character’s traits or the setting of the fairytale.

Exemplary

4 Points

Generates a wide range of highly creative and relevant ideas, demonstrating exceptional imagination and critical thinking.

Proficient

3 Points

Generates several creative and relevant ideas, demonstrating strong imagination and critical thinking.

Developing

2 Points

Generates a few ideas, but some may be unoriginal or irrelevant.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to generate ideas or the ideas are not relevant to the task.

Criterion 2

Articulation of Effects

Clearly articulates how changes to the character or setting would affect the story's problem, the character's choices, and the eventual solution.

Exemplary

4 Points

Articulates the effects of changes with exceptional clarity and insight, demonstrating a deep understanding of narrative structure.

Proficient

3 Points

Clearly articulates the effects of changes, demonstrating a strong understanding of narrative structure.

Developing

2 Points

Articulates the effects of changes with some ambiguity or lack of detail.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to articulate the effects of changes or demonstrates a limited understanding of narrative structure.

Criterion 3

Organization of Ideas

Organizes brainstorming ideas effectively using a web or chart.

Exemplary

4 Points

Organizes ideas with exceptional clarity and coherence, creating a highly effective brainstorming tool.

Proficient

3 Points

Organizes ideas clearly and coherently, creating an effective brainstorming tool.

Developing

2 Points

Organizes ideas in a somewhat disorganized manner, making it difficult to follow the brainstorming process.

Beginning

1 Points

Fails to organize ideas effectively or does not use a brainstorming web or chart.

Category 3

Drafting the New Ending

Evaluates the student's ability to draft a new ending that effectively resolves the story's conflict.

Criterion 1

Narrative Sequence

Creates a logical sequence of events that leads to a resolution of the story’s central conflict.

Exemplary

4 Points

Creates an exceptionally logical and compelling sequence of events, leading to a highly satisfying resolution.

Proficient

3 Points

Creates a logical sequence of events, leading to a satisfying resolution.

Developing

2 Points

Creates a sequence of events that is somewhat illogical or unclear, with a less satisfying resolution.

Beginning

1 Points

Creates a sequence of events that is illogical and confusing, with an unsatisfactory resolution.

Criterion 2

Clarity and Conciseness

Writes a first draft that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Exemplary

4 Points

Writes with exceptional clarity and conciseness, creating a highly engaging and easy-to-understand draft.

Proficient

3 Points

Writes with clarity and conciseness, creating an easy-to-understand draft.

Developing

2 Points

Writes with some ambiguity or wordiness, making the draft somewhat difficult to understand.

Beginning

1 Points

Writes with significant ambiguity and wordiness, making the draft difficult to understand.

Criterion 3

Problem Resolution

Ensures the new ending provides a solution to the story’s original problem, given the changes made to the character or setting.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides a highly effective and innovative solution to the original problem, demonstrating a deep understanding of cause and effect.

Proficient

3 Points

Provides a clear and effective solution to the original problem.

Developing

2 Points

Provides a solution that is somewhat unclear or ineffective.

Beginning

1 Points

Fails to provide a clear or effective solution to the original problem.

Category 4

Revising for Clarity and Detail

Assesses the student's ability to revise and refine their draft for clarity, detail, and logical flow.

Criterion 1

Clarity Revision

Identifies areas where the story is unclear or confusing and makes effective revisions to improve clarity.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates exceptional skill in identifying and resolving areas of confusion, resulting in a remarkably clear and engaging story.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstrates skill in identifying and resolving areas of confusion, resulting in a clear and engaging story.

Developing

2 Points

Identifies some areas of confusion, but revisions are not always effective.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to identify areas of confusion or make effective revisions.

Criterion 2

Descriptive Details

Adds descriptive details that enhance the story and bring it to life.

Exemplary

4 Points

Adds exceptionally vivid and imaginative details, creating a truly immersive and engaging reading experience.

Proficient

3 Points

Adds vivid and imaginative details that enhance the story.

Developing

2 Points

Adds some descriptive details, but they may be generic or uninspired.

Beginning

1 Points

Adds few or no descriptive details, resulting in a flat and uninspired story.

Criterion 3

Cause and Effect

Ensures that each event logically leads to the next, creating a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Exemplary

4 Points

Creates a flawless cause-and-effect relationship between events, resulting in a highly logical and compelling narrative.

Proficient

3 Points

Creates a clear cause-and-effect relationship between events.

Developing

2 Points

Shows some inconsistencies in the cause-and-effect relationship between events.

Beginning

1 Points

Fails to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship between events.

Category 5

Finalizing and Presenting

Evaluates the student's ability to finalize and present their new fairytale ending in a polished and engaging manner.

Criterion 1

Grammar and Punctuation

Proofreads the revised draft carefully and corrects grammar and punctuation errors.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail, identifying and correcting all grammar and punctuation errors flawlessly.

Proficient

3 Points

Identifies and corrects most grammar and punctuation errors.

Developing

2 Points

Misses several grammar and punctuation errors.

Beginning

1 Points

Makes numerous grammar and punctuation errors.

Criterion 2

Presentation

Presents the final version of the new ending in a neat and organized manner.

Exemplary

4 Points

Presents the final version in an exceptionally neat, organized, and visually appealing manner.

Proficient

3 Points

Presents the final version in a neat and organized manner.

Developing

2 Points

Presents the final version in a somewhat disorganized manner.

Beginning

1 Points

Presents the final version in a disorganized and difficult-to-read manner.

Criterion 3

Illustrations

Adds illustrations that enhance the story and engage the audience.

Exemplary

4 Points

Adds exceptionally creative and engaging illustrations that perfectly complement the story.

Proficient

3 Points

Adds creative and engaging illustrations that enhance the story.

Developing

2 Points

Adds some illustrations, but they may be uninspired or poorly executed.

Beginning

1 Points

Adds few or no illustrations.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

What was the most surprising thing you learned about how characters affect a story?

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Question 2

If you could change one thing about your new fairytale ending, what would it be and why?

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Question 3

How did changing the setting change the problem and solution in your fairytale?

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Question 4

How confident do you feel in your ability to change a story's ending to show different character traits?

Scale

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Question 5

What part of the fairytale remix process did you find the most challenging, and how did you overcome it?

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Required