Lessons & Units :: Genre Studies: Fairy Tales Kindergarten Unit

Lesson 1: Beginning and End

Lesson Plan

The Frog Prince | 380L

The Frog Prince
Learning Goal
Explain the beginnings and endings that are characteristics of Fairy Tales.
Identify “Once Upon a Time” and “Happy Endings” in a Fairy Tale.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials
Provided: Unit Example Chart, Independent Practice Worksheet
Not Provided: The Frog Prince retold by Edith H. Tarcov, chart paper, markers, books from several genres, including fairy tales from classroom library

  • Before the Lesson

    In preparation for the lesson, gather several examples of fairy tales for the Independent Practice.

  • Teacher Modeling

    will explain to students that one characteristic of fairy tales is that they begin and end the same way. They begin with the phrase, “Once upon a time” which introduces the reader to the main character or the setting of the story. They also have happy endings, which is when the story ends in a happy way for the main character. Sometimes, a fairy tale will have the words, “And they lived happily ever after,” at the end of the story. I will add “Once Upon a Time” and “Happy Endings’ to my Characteristics of Fairy Tales Chart (example provided). I will give a popular example of a fairy tale beginning and ending (e.g. from Cinderella). I will model how to identify the beginning and ending in a fairy tale by reading the first and last lines of The Frog Prince. I will look for the words, “Once Upon a Time” and “Happily Ever After.” After I find the words, I will add the title of The Frog Prince to my chart to show that the fairy tale has a characteristic beginning and ending.

  • Think Check

    Ask: "How can I identify the beginning and ending of a fairy tale?" Students should answer that you look for the words “Once Upon a Time” at the beginning of the story, and at the end of the story find textual information that shows that the main character is happy, or find the phrase, “And they lived happily ever after.”

  • Guided Practice

    will read and listen to the full text of The Frog Prince retold by Edith H. Tarcov. We will discuss how the beginning introduces us to the main character of the story—the little princess. When we finish reading the story, we will discuss why the ending is happy—the prince and the princess were married. We will explain that this happy ending helps us identify this book as a fairy tale.

  • Independent Practice

    will identify one fairy tale from a group of books preselected by your teacher. You will illustrate the cover of your fairy tale and check off a box showing that there was a “Once Upon a Time” beginning or a happy ending (Independent Practice Worksheet provided). You will explain how you knew the story was a fairy tale. The teacher may examples to the chart.

Build Student Vocabulary promise

Tier 2 Word: promise
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story “‘ . . . If you promise to let me do these things, I will get your ball for you.’” “‘I promise,’ the princess said.”
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) To promise means to give your word that you will do something. If the princess promises that she will let the frog be her friend, it means she tells him that he can be her friend and he believes her. If she decides not to follow through and not to become the frog’s friend, she will have broken her promise.
Students repeat the word Say the word promise with me: promise.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts I try never to make a promise that I can’t keep. The children promised to be home before dark. My friend keeps promising to hang out with me and then breaking her promises; I haven’t seen her in over a month.
Students provide examples Can you give an example of a promise you have made? Start by saying, “I made a promise that __________________________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? promise
Additional Vocabulary Words well (n.), supper

Build Student Background Knowledge

Pause after reading page 1 of The Frog Prince and explain that a princess is the daughter of a king and queen, or someone who has married a prince (a son of a king and queen). Many years ago in Europe (point to Europe on a map), kings and queens ruled most countries. That means they were responsible for making all the important decisions and laws in that country. Even today, some countries still have kings, queens, princes, and princesses. England is an example country (point to England). In the United States today, we have a president, instead of a king and queen.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

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