Materials

• Collection of folk and fairy tales (including Sleeping Beauty)
• Lined story paper or drawing paper
• Chart paper
• Crayons, markers, and pencils

Comparing Fairy Tales

1. Show the children a copy of the traditional fairy tale Sleeping Beauty and the updated version Sleepless Beauty. Tell the children that they will listen to both stories and compare the differences and similarities. Begin the activity by asking the children to tell you what they already know about fairy tales. How do fairy tales usually begin? How do they usually end? Do you think that these books will be similar or different? Why?
2. Read the traditional fairy tale Sleeping Beauty to the children. Engage the children in a discussion about the story. What did they like about the story? Were there parts of the story that they did not like? Did it remind them of any other fairy tales they have read or been told?
3. Follow the traditional tale with a reading of Sleepless Beauty. Encourage the children to discuss the story. How was this story similar to or different from the original fairy tale? Which story did they like better? Why? You can record the children's comments and comparisons in a variety of ways including graphs, Venn diagrams, and language experience charts, or individual writing and drawing responses.

1. Tell the children that you would like them to make up new fairy tales and folktales. If the children are not very familiar with folk or fairy tales, collect and read several traditional tales to encourage the development of spin-off stories.
2. Ask the children to think of all the folk and fairy tales they know. Create a list on chart paper. Provide the children with a variety folktale and fairy tale books to stimulate their ideas. Reread the list of titles with the children. Ask the children to think of new titles for the listed stories. The children can also think of new ways to retell the story, i.e., from another character's point of view, as in The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka. You can also use the following ideas to stimulate silly storytelling activities:
   Cinderella — Cinderfella
   Prince Charming — Prince Harming
   Rapunzel — Rapping-Punzel
   The Princess and the Pea — The Princess and the Corn
   Johnny Appleseed — Johnny Applesauce
   Little Red Riding Hood — Little Red Writing Fox
   The Frog Prince — The Frog Princess
   
3. Provide the children with paper and writing and drawing tools to create individual stories. Work with children to assist in the development of their stories, including dictation of text. Children can also work in pairs or create a class story during group time. Record group storytelling activities on chart paper or use a cassette recorder to tape the children as they create their stories, and then play it back for them. Children can create individual illustrations or a group mural to accompany the story.

Materials

• Paper bags (lunch size)
• Crayons and markers
• Collage materials: yarn, felt, or fabric scraps; construction paper; sequins and buttons; etc.
• Child safety scissors
• Glue