Rural Exceptional Student Talent Opportunities, Resources, & Experiences
FAIRY TALE MINI-UNIT
(Gr. 1-2)
Rural Exceptional Student Talent Opportunities, Resources, & Experiences
(Gr. 1-2)
🌟 Fairy Tale Mini-Unit Teacher Packet
Grades: 1–3 (High Ability)
Length: 1–2 Weeks
Focus: Creative + Critical Thinking through Fairy Tales
📖 Activity 1: Dear Disney Journal
Teacher Intro Page
Objective: Students will write an explanatory letter from their perspective to a Disney or fairy tale character.
GT Focus: Creativity, Perspective-Taking, Empathy
Materials: Lined paper, colored pencils, sample letters
Teacher Tip: Model how to go beyond “you’re my favorite” by asking: What challenges would this character face daily?
Student Page
✍️ Task: Write a letter to your favorite fairy tale or Disney character.
Tell them why they are your favorite.
Explain what must be hard about being them.
Add a picture if you want!
🎭 Activity 2: Alphabet Improv
Teacher Intro Page
Objective: Students will collaboratively create a fairy tale story using improvisational alphabet rules.
GT Focus: Creativity, Affective Development, Teamwork, Presentation
Materials: Alphabet chart, whiteboard
Teacher Tip: Use a timer to keep momentum. Great as an oral game OR a group writing exercise.
Student Page
🎤 Task: Work with your class to tell a fairy tale story where each new sentence starts with the next letter of the alphabet!
A = “A long time ago, there was…”
B = “But then…”
Continue until Z!
🪄 Activity 3: Razzle Dazzle Words
Teacher Intro Page
Objective: Students will create a visual dictionary of fairy tale terms.
GT Focus: Vocabulary Development, Creative Thinking
Materials: Vocabulary list, dictionary, art supplies
Teacher Tip: Differentiate by letting advanced students invent riddles or metaphors for their words.
Student Page
✨ Task: Pick 5 fairy tale words. For each word, show:
The word itself
Definition
A picture
A sentence
Synonyms
⚖️ Activity 4: Fairy Tale Court
Teacher Intro Page
Objective: Students will analyze fairy tales and argue whether a villain is guilty or innocent.
GT Focus: Critical Thinking, Argumentation, Collaboration
Materials: Fairy tale text, trial form template
Teacher Tip: Provide structure: prosecution vs. defense, jury deliberation. Require evidence!
Student Page
⚖️ Task: Put a fairy tale villain on trial!
List the charges (What did they do wrong?).
Gather evidence from the story.
Present your case as prosecution OR defense.
Jury decides the verdict.
🌀 Activity 5: Fairy Tale Mix-Ups
Teacher Intro Page
Objective: Students will remix fairy tales using character, setting, and problem cards.
GT Focus: Creative Writing, Flexible Thinking
Materials: Mix-up cards (characters, settings, problems)
Teacher Tip: Push students to develop full plotlines, not just silly mashups.
Student Page
🔀 Task: Draw one character, one setting, and one problem card.
Create a NEW fairy tale!
Write or act it out with your group.
🔧 Activity 6: STEM Stories
Teacher Intro Page
Objective: Students will use engineering design to solve fairy tale problems.
GT Focus: Problem-Solving, Collaboration, Critical Thinking
Materials: Building supplies (LEGOs, recyclables, tape, etc.)
Teacher Tip: Require written plans before building. Debrief afterward with “What worked? What didn’t?”
Student Page
🛠️ Task: Solve a fairy tale problem with STEM!
Choose one:
Build a bridge for the Gingerbread Man
Create unbreakable chairs for Goldilocks
Design a fair test for Cinderella’s slipper
Make a navigation system for Hansel & Gretel
Draw your plan → Build → Share!
📚 Activity 7: Once Upon a Research Project
Teacher Intro Page
Objective: Students will conduct research on fairy tale history and culture.
GT Focus: Independent Inquiry, Presentation Skills
Materials: Choice board, books, internet access, presentation tools
Teacher Tip: Scaffold by tiering—fact-based projects for some, analysis for others.
Student Page
📖 Task: Pick ONE research project from the Fairy Tale Choice Board.
Examples:
Research the original version of your favorite fairy tale.
Compare Disney’s version to the original.
Study castles, medieval clothing, or food.
Explore real animals that inspired “monsters.”
Present your findings as a poster, slide deck, skit, or video.
✨ Culminating Event: Fairy Tale Festival
Showcase Mix-Up stories, STEM inventions, and Research Projects.
Students act as “guides” to their work. Parents/other classes can be invited.
🌟 Fairy Tale Mini-Unit Student Packet Templates
✍️ Activity 1: Dear Disney Journal Page
Directions: Write a letter to your favorite Disney or fairy tale character.
Tell them why they are your favorite.
Explain what must be hard about being them.
Add a picture if you want!
My Letter
Dear ___________________________,
From,
🎭 Activity 2: Alphabet Improv Sheet
Directions: Work with your class to write a fairy tale where each sentence starts with the next letter of the alphabet.
Letter Sentence
A __________________________________
B __________________________________
C __________________________________
… __________________________________
Z __________________________________
🪄 Activity 3: Razzle Dazzle Words Template
Directions: Pick 5 fairy tale words. Complete the chart.
Word Definition Picture Sentence Synonyms
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
⚖️ Activity 4: Fairy Tale Court Trial Form
Directions: Work with your team to put a villain on trial.
Defendant (Villain): ____________________________
Charges (What they did wrong): ____________________________
Evidence from the story:
Prosecution Argument: ____________________________
Defense Argument: ____________________________
Verdict: Guilty ☐ Not Guilty ☐
🌀 Activity 5: Fairy Tale Mix-Up Cards
Character Cards (examples):
Rapunzel
Big Bad Wolf
Goldilocks
Fairy Godmother
Gingerbread Man
Setting Cards (examples):
In space
At the zoo
Under the sea
In a haunted castle
On a pirate ship
Problem Cards (examples):
Lost their voice
Dragon stole the treasure
Can’t find their way home
Accidentally broke a magic spell
Running out of time before midnight
Directions: Pick one character, one setting, and one problem card. Write or act out your new fairy tale!
🔧 Activity 6: STEM Stories Planning Sheet
Directions: Pick a fairy tale problem and design a solution.
Fairy Tale Problem: ____________________________
My Idea / Invention: ____________________________
Materials I will use: ____________________________
Sketch my plan: (box for drawing)
Steps to Build:
Test Results: ___________________________________
What I would change next time: __________________
📚 Activity 7: Once Upon a Research Project – Choice Board
Directions: Pick one project to research. Present your work as a poster, slideshow, skit, or video.
Choice Project Idea
1 Research the original version of your favorite fairy tale
2 Compare Disney’s version to the original
3 Research castles and medieval life
4 Study clothing, food, or traditions from fairy tale times
5 Investigate the Brothers Grimm
6 Research animals that inspired fairy tale “monsters”
7 Explore how fairy tales are told in another country
8 Write a report on the history of magic in folklore
9 Research why fairy tales were written (purpose/lessons)
10 Investigate symbols in fairy tales (keys, mirrors, shoes)
11 Explore how fairy tales changed over time
12 Interview an adult about their favorite fairy tale
Planning Sheet
My project choice: _______________________
3 facts I found:
How I will share my project: ☐ Poster ☐ Slides ☐ Skit ☐ Video ☐ Other
🌟 Culminating Project: Fairy Tale Festival
🎉 Present your projects, STEM solutions, and Mix-Ups! Invite families or other classes.