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Cinderella

Grades: 
K, 1, 2
Subjects: 
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Keywords & Concepts: 
Cinderella
Character Development
Choices/Consequences
Common Good
Compare/Contrast
Concept Mapping
Family
Genre
Good Character
Reflection
Response to Text/Others
Retelling
Selflessness
Service
Story Elements
Story Mapping
Universal Themes
Visual Arts

This lesson introduces the characteristics of fairy tales as a genre. The children explore positive and negative character traits and universal themes in the story of Cinderella. The service plan is introduced in this lesson and carried out over the next weeks.

Duration 
PrintOne 45-Minute Session
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • orally retell the story of Cinderella.
  • make a plan for a service learning project of gathering gently-used clothing to donate to a local nonprofit.
Materials 
  • Picture books of Cinderella 
Teacher Preparation 

In advance, arrange for a visit (in person or video conferenc) from a representative from a nonprofit who helps people in the community get their basic needs met. They may collect gently used clothing the group donates, or they may know of agencies in the community who will take their donations. Find out what their needs are. Find out any rules for the condition of the donated clothing.

Home Connection 

Family members are invited to help with the clothing drive. 

Related Resources 

Instructions

Print

  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Read aloud a traditional book of Cinderella. Review the story elements of characters, setting, problem, events, solution and ending.

  2. Share this background: Cinderella is a fairy tale. A fairy tale is a type of story that involves magic and good and evil characters. 

  3. Talk about the choices made by the different characters and the consequences of their choices. Which characters were generous and helpful to others and did things for the good of others? Talk about what they did and how it made things better for the community.

  4. Ask the children to describe Cinderella’s family. Does Cinderella get from her family the things she needs? What are the most important things about families?

    How do they think Cinderella felt about having only her ragged clothes to wear? Why is it important for children in our community to have appropriate clothes for school and other activities?

  5. Have the community nonprofit representative talk to the children about community needs related to clothing, shoes, and other basic needs. They can share information about the nonprofit: its needs and its work.

  6. Introduce the service learning project. Talk about how hard it is for children like Cinderella who don’t have appropriate clothes to wear. Sometimes this makes them not want to go to school. Sometimes other children make fun of them because of their clothes. Talk about these feelings and help them decide how they should respond to this issue (personally and as a group). Lead them to the idea of holding a clothing drive. Note: be sensitive about the children who may not have their basic needs met in these ways. Always speak respectfully and equitably about differences, not as something less. 

  7. Send home the family letter explaining the drive and asking for volunteers (see handout below). Start collecting the clothes and set a date for the end of the clothing drive.

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 01. Define Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.4 Define and give examples of selfishness and selflessness.
    2. Standard DP 06. Role of Family in Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.1 Identify common roles that families play in society.
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 05. Philanthropy and Government
      1. Benchmark E.3 Discuss the importance of personal virtue, good character, and ethical behavior in a democracy.
  3. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.4 Give an example of how citizens act for the common good.
      2. Benchmark E.5 Give examples of actions students can take to improve the common good and list or describe responsibilities that go with those actions.
  4. Strand PHIL.IV Volunteering and Service
    1. Standard VS 01. Needs Assessment
      1. Benchmark E.1 Identify a need in the school, local community, state, nation, or world.