Engaging with 'Hansel and Gretel'

English

Exploring the genre of 'Hansel and Gretel'

Developing comprehension of 'Hansel and Gretel'through rich discussions

Exploring characterisation in 'Hansel and Gretel'

Exploring the themes of 'Hansel and Gretel'

In 'Hansel and Gretel’, children discussed the key features of a fairy tale and had rich discussions about the plot and characters within. In ’Blackberry Blue’, pupils will read a modern fairy tale, which draws upon traditional fairy tales and cultural influences.

In 'Anansi and the Antelope Baby’, pupils discussed the features of a traditional tale. In ’Hansel and Gretel’, pupils will read or listen to a fairy tale. They will discuss the features of a fairy tale and have rich discussions about the plot and characters within.

In this unit, pupils read and explore the classic fairy tale 'Hansel and Gretel'. They use inference to develop their comprehension of the text and characters. Finally, pupils will explore the key themes and engage in rich discussions.

'Hansel and Gretel': reading

Depiction of scary, confusing or unsettling events or characters placed in danger, including creation of a scary atmosphere through the use of music and sound.

Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

The parents picked up the "breadcrumbs". 

In the story 'Hansel and Gretel', why did Hansel's plan to leave a trail of "breadcrumbs" not work?

She gave them poisonous food so that they would become ill.

She showed was kind them and gave them treats to eat.

She told them she would take them home safely.

In the story 'Hansel and Gretel', how did the witch trick Hansel and Gretel to make them come inside her house?

innocent Hansel and Gretel vs the evil stepmother and witch

Hansel and Gretel find their way home to their father

Match the fairytale feature to the example from 'Hansel and Gretel'.

Match the keyword to the correct definition.

Which two words best describe the stepmother in the story?

be resourceful, stand up for what's right and be cautious of strangers

Which of these best describes the moral of the story 'Hansel and Gretel'?

In the fairytale 'Hansel and Gretel', what job did Hansel and Gretel's father do?

At the start of the fairytale 'Hansel and Gretel', who do Hansel and Gretel live with?

In the fairytale 'Hansel and Gretel', whose idea was it to leave Hansel and Gretel alone in the forest?

Hansel and Gretel live with their father and stepmother and they have no food.

The stepmother hatches a plan to leave the children in the forest.

Hansel collects small stones in the middle of the night to leave a trail.

The parents leave the children in the middle of the forest alone.

Hansel and Gretel follow the small stones and make it back home.

Starting with the first, order these events from the first half of the story 'Hansel and Gretel'. 

They were both so relieved that the children made it home safely.

Their father felt relieved and their stepmother pretended to be happy.

They were both so disappointed that their plan hadn’t worked.

How did Hansel and Gretel’s parents feel when they found their way back home?

a children’s story about magical and imaginary things

distinctive characteristics that belong to something

Match the keywords to the correct definition.

Engaging with 'Hansel and Gretel'

Lesson outcome

Content guidance