🌟 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.

1. Tell them why they are your favorite.

2. Explain what must be hard about being them.

3. 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!

1. List the charges (What did they do wrong?).

2. Gather evidence from the story.

3. Present your case as prosecution OR defense.

4. 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:

  3. 
     
  4. 
     
  5. 
     

• 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:

  3. 
     
  4. 
     
  5. 
     

• 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:

  3. 
     
  4. 
     
  5. 
     

• 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.