Poetry and the House on Mango Street

FABLES, FAIRY TALES & NURSERY RHYMES

Essential Question: How do fables and fairy tales reflect both the universal human psyche as well as specific culture, and how has this reflection changed over time?

Unit Description: Albert Einstein once commented on the importance of fairy tales saying, "If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales. When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking."

In this unit we will investigate the history of children’s literature as well as its foundation: fables and fairy tales. Fables and fairy tales represent the two approaches of children’s literature; fables are didactic or devised to teach, while fairy tales are imaginative and created to entertain and fuel the imagination. Children’s literature, from the beginning, has fluctuated between these two purposes – to teach or to entertain; at its best, it does both. Besides a discussion of didactic versus imaginative, we will investigate universal themes, symbols and situations found throughout the imaginative world of the fairy tale, and discuss how these archetypes can represent both the collective human psyche as well as individual culture.

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS:

Dat Assignments Dat Assignments e e

2/28  Introduce unit 3/10  Presentation on Hans Christian  Group study of history of children’s Anderson lit from fables modern times  Discuss ‘princess archetypes’ and - Briar Rose, The Frog-Prince, The HW: Read Aesop’s Fables Goose-Girl  Other common fairy tale archetypes  Work on analysis HW: The Emperor’s New Clothes, Jack and the Beanstalk; Complete Fairy Tale Analysis 3/2  Complete Group study 3/14  Time-Line Group Present  Aesop Group Present  Fairy Tale Analysis DUE  Discuss Aesop’s Fables  Discuss Values, Culture Emperor,  Discuss Aesop’s Life Skills Jack Handbook  Read and discuss tales from other HW: Complete Fable Assignment. cultures Read Grimm’s’ Hansel and Gretel  Archetype or Stereo type: the PC fairy tale  Read examples of ‘modernized’ fairy tales HW: Work on Fairy Tale Project 3/5  Fable Assignment due 3/16  Nursery Rhymes & Childhood  Grimm Brothers group present Poetry  Discuss Hansel and Gretel  Nursery Rhyme Class Time HW: Read Little Red Riding Hood, Puss In Boots HW: Complete Fairy Tale Project 3/8  Presentation on Perrault & 3/18  Fable, Fairy Tale & Nursery

OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL Archetypes Rhyme Exam  Discuss Little Red and Puss in Boots Fairy Tale Project Due - Present  Discuss Fairy Tale project & choose Fairy Tale HW: Read ‘Princess’ Fairy Tales - Briar Rose, The Frog-Prince, The Goose-Girl; Work on project

THINGS TO KNOW: • Basic understanding of History of Children’s Lit. • Fable • Archetypes in Fairy Tales • Aesop • Fairy Tale • Detailed knowledge of each • The Grimm Brothers • Archetype assigned fairy tale/fable • Charles Perrault • Jung • Arthur Rackham • Hans Christian Anderson • Jungian Archetypes • Nursery Rhyme histories

OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS:

Group Study: Learn one; Do one; Teach one

50 points - Check calendar for your group’s due date. My Group’s Due Date is: ______For the Fairy Tale portion of the class, students will be responsible for teaching ‘mini-lessons’ on the following content: A Time Line & Brief History of Children’s Literature, Aesop and His Fables, The Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, Hans Christian Anderson, Archetypes – Their Meaning and Origin.

Each group will be responsible for researching pertinent information, tying information to the essential question where appropriate, creating a memorable and entertaining way to present the information, and teaching a 15-minute mini-lesson covering the content. Students must cite sources and will be held accountable for the quality of their information as well as the quality and effectiveness of their lesson. Each group will also be responsible for assessment of their content by submitting 3 multiple choice questions to the teacher, at the end of their lesson, to be used on the exam.

Aesop’s Life Skills Handbook

25 points - Due: ______While fables were told to entertain, their primary purpose was to teach. Philosophers of ancient times would use fables as an exercise for their scholars. They would invite their scholars to read a fable and discuss the moral, but also to practice writing and philosophy, by creating new versions, or fables, of their own.

Using your imagination, life experience and everything you have learned from the ‘Aesop and His Fables’ mini-lesson, write and illustrate your own fable.

Your fable must include:  All of the elements of a fable (get this information from the class mini-lesson)  A stated moral which teaches a valuable life lesson  A neat and interesting illustration – you may use any appropriate media  It must be similar in tone and style to the fables we read in class  It must be virtually perfect in grammar, usage and spelling – Must Be TYPED, Double- Spaced

Fairy Tale Project: Archetype and Cultural Relevance

50 points for analysis, 50 points for re-write: 100 Total Due: ______As you will notice by the end of the unit, values reflected in fairy tales do not necessarily reflect those found in modern society . . . or do they?

1) On your own, or with a partner, choose a fairy tale by either the Grimm brothers, Perrault, or Hans Christian Anderson. This may NOT be one that we discussed in class. 2) Read and analyze the fairy tale for values, archetypes and cultural information. 3) Write a formal, three-paragraph explanation of what you found. Paragraph 1 should be a summary of your fairy tale; paragraph 2 should discuss major archetypes found within it;

OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL paragraph 3 should explain any values stated or implied and their relevance to the culture of that time period. 4) Here is the fun part, re-imagine and re-write the fairy tale so that it more closely reflects modern morals and values. This part should be entertaining, creative, original, and even humorous. Don’t be afraid to have fun with your re-write and even to poke fun at our modern need to be ‘politically correct’ and to only reflect positive values. Satire is welcome and encouraged. It might be difficult, but BE APPROPRIATE!

OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL Fairy Tales and Fables Presentation Rubric

Topic: ______/50 points possible

Presenters Names: 1. ______2. ______

3. ______4. ______

5. ______6. ______

_____/15 PRESENTATION: 15 minutes; Presenters clearly prepared/rehearsed; Presenters make eye contact, project voice and exude confidence  _____/ 15 INFORMATION: Valid and cited when necessary; Addresses ALL questions specified on instructions; Presenters are able to answer audience questions. _____/ 15 LESSON QUALITY: Presenters revealed information in an interesting & memorable way; Visual aids included & are informative and helpful. _____/5 QUESTIONS: 3 quality, reasonable questions turned in to teacher.

_____/ 50 Total

Fable Rubric

_____/10 Includes elements of a fable (uses personification, 1–3 paragraphs, teaches lesson, proper tone). _____/5 Includes stated moral, which teaches a valuable life lesson, at bottom of fable. _____/5 Includes interesting & relevant illustration _____/5 Virtually perfect in grammar, usage and spelling; TYPED, Double-Spaced _____/ 25

Fairy Tale Modernization Analysis: ___/ 10 3 paragraphs, typed, double-spaced ___/ 15 Summary concise and correct, informative discussion of archetypes Explanation of values and cultural elements ___/ 10 Essay formal, and virtually flawless in grammar, usage and spelling ___/ 15 Essay organized, informative and high quality in style and flow. ___/ 50

Modernization ___/ 10 3 paragraphs, typed, double-spaced – submitted to Turnitin.com and includes receipt

OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL ___/ 10 Clearly reflects some aspect of modern culture and values ___/ 10 Entertaining, original and appropriate. ___/ 10 Modernization well written in grammar, usage and spelling ___/ 10 Modernization maintains enough of original story & characters that it is recognizable and yet still original. ___/ 50

____/ 100 Project Total

OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL