Title: Fairytale News
Author: Colin and Jacqui Hawkins
Illustrator: not noted
Date of Publication: 2004
Number of Pages: 29
Genre/Category: Picture book/ Fairytale
Recommended Grade Level: K-3, but I used it for 4th grade
Estimated Time Needed: 1 hour
Reader Response Activity: Write a newspaper article with a given writing prompt and draw a picture
« Fairytale News by Colin and Jacqui Hawkins
« Fairytale News article write-up page
« Colored pencils, crayons, markers
« Your imagination
« Students will answer comprehension and discussion questions from the book
(Strand 1: Reading Process, Concept 6: Comprehension Strategies, PO 3 and
« Write a news paper article on their fairytale journal prompt
(Strand 1: Writing Process, Concept 1: Prewriting, PO 1 and
« Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation
(Strand 1: Writing Process, Concept 4: Editing, PO 1, PO 2, and
« Create an illustration to accompany the article
(Visual Arts, Standard 1: Creating Art, 1AV-E1, PO 1, and 1AV-E2,
« Book information (Title, author, illustrator, graphics on front cover)
« Tell me anything that comes to mind about fairytales
« Read Fairytale News
o Before the reading question:
§ “Who can describe fairytales to me using just ONE word?” (Comprehension)
o During the reading questions:
§ After each new fairytale is presented in the book, ask “What fairytale is that from” and “How many fairytales have we reviews now?” (Knowledge)
§ What is the reporter dog doing on each page? (Knowledge)
§ What is another way that the paperboy could have handled the giant? (synthesis)
o After the reading:
§ Based on what you know about fairytales, what do you think about the reporter dog making a newspaper about what each fairytale character did? (Evaluation)
« Students will create their own newspaper article with a journal prompt
« “Imagine there's a tabloid newspaper called "The Fairytale News." It's like the national newspaper, in that the stories include a lot of gossip, but they are written to sound like real newspaper stories. Now imagine you live in
1. Students will be given an already made “Fairytale News” handout
2. They are to create their article as if they are each writers for the newspaper
3. Each student will be given a different writing prompt
a. An introduction of the broadcast and anchor ("Good evening and welcome to the fairytale news. I’m ### reporting").
b. A report of the events of the tale ("Mr. B.B. Wolf was arrested today on two counts of house-blowing-down...").
c. Details!!!
4. To go along with their article, students are to draw a picture
5. If time permits, you may color your picture
« Show the model that I created
« Read my example out loud
« Show the picture I drew
« Walk around to monitor their work and answer questions
« Anticipate they will need help in coming up with details on the article prompt
« Look over their shoulders to help and offer suggestions for more detail and events
« Suggest using a dictionary for help on deciding on an animal and with word choices
« Give students a time limit on their work
« Give the students a 10 minute times up warning
« Give the students a 1 minute times up warning
« Ask for a raise of hands of students who want to present their article in front of the class.
« Choose students who were on task through the whole assignment and activity.
« Pick students according to the time that is permitted (5-10 students sharing)
Please wait...
