Planning a fairy tale about a social issue
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use the conventions of fairytales to plan a story about a social issue.
Key learning points
- Fairy tales have specific conventions including noble heroes/heroines, magical transformations and happy endings.
- Charles Kingsley was a Victorian clergyman who took a stand against the use of children as chimney sweeps.
- Kingsley’s novel ‘The Water Babies’ adapted the fairy tale genre to protest the use of children as chimney sweeps.
- His novel was influential in raising awareness of the cruelty of child labour.
- Freytag’s narrative structure can be adapted by any writer.
Keywords
Adapt - to change, or to alter something, to suit different conditions.
Clergyman - a man ordained into the church of England.
Noble - socially superior but also honest, brave, and kind.
Transform - change completely the appearance or character of something.
Common misconception
Fairy tales are written solely for children.
Fairy tales are primarily stories about transformation and therefore this form appeals to many writers, especially those who are interested in social issues.
Teacher tip
You could make a link to a text like 'Animal Farm' which is also subtitled 'A Fairy Story' and 'A Christmas Carol' which also has fairy tale qualities.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What do we call a story that often begins with the words: "Once upon a time"?
Q2.In the Victorian period, what were chimney sweeps?
Q3.Which of the following best characterises the Industrial Revolution?
Q4.When we talk about the conventions of literature, what do we mean?
Q5.Which of the following is the best definition of the phrase "rags to riches"?
Q6.What word, beginning with G, refers to a type of literature?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words on the left with their synonyms on the right.
rework
virtuous
change
Q2.Freytag's narrative structure is which shape?
Q3.Starting with the first, put the sections of Freytag's narrative in chronological order.
Q4.Match the sections of Freytag's pyramid with the correct definition.
introduces the characters and settings
events and complications begin
the turning point where conflict reaches its peak
tension begins to decrease
the conflict is finally resolved
Q5.What was Charles Kingsley's profession?
Q6.What of the following best explains the popularity of stories about transformation?
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Planning a fairy tale about a social issue, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Planning a fairy tale about a social issue, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the Taking a stand unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.