Fairy Tales and Folktales

Once upon a time, life was not as it was now. Modern conveniences did not exist, and common people had to work hours on end each and every day just to survive. These constant domestic tasks may have occupied their bodies, but not their minds. While spinning wool, sewing new clothes, and mending the old, they passed the time by telling stories. Strange stories. Stories full of wonder and violence, magic and monsters. Stories where a simple peasant could become a king or queen—leaving a life of drudgery far behind. In these stories wishes are granted. Lives are changed. They are deceptively simple and deeply psychological. These are fairy tales.

Below you will find resources for teaching fairy tales and folktales in your classroom:

"Little Red Riding Hood" (Reader's Theater Script-Story) Possibly the most famous fairy tale, the story of a little girl stalked by a deadly wolf is a story everyone knows. This adaptation adds humor to the story while keeping all the plot points intact. When Little Red Riding Hood heads into the deep woods for Grandmother's house, the Big Bad Wolf has a deadly trap waiting for her. You know the story—or do you? Did you know that the story has two different endings? Did you know that there is a sequel to the original story? Did you know Little Red Riding Hood isn't her original name? Length:  25-35 minutes

"Little Red Cap" by the Brothers Grimm This is the original version of "Little Red Riding Hood." After reading the script-story version, your students can compare the original to the adaptation.

Jack and the Beanstalk (Reader's Theater Script-Story) This humorous adaptation of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale is perfect for grades 4-8. Experience this classic fairy tale of magical beans, a murderous giant, and a mile-high beanstalk! A poor family of two needs food for their next meal, so Jack's mother sends him out to sell their beloved cow, Milky White. When Jack meets a strange, old man in the forest, he instead swaps the cow for some magic beans. Enraged, Jack's mother throws the beans out the window, but overnight the beans grow into a huge beanstalk that leads into a magical world filled with giants, singing harps, and gold-egg-laying hens. While remaining true to the original folktale, this new adaptation uses witty wordplay, humor, and some unexpected twists to engage a modern audience in a classic story. Length:  25-35 minutes

Aesop's Fables The classic fables attributed to the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop are some of the greatest moral stories ever told.

Hero Tales from Around the World This collection of folktales from around the world are a great multicultural look at human storytelling.

Rumpelstiltskin (Reader's Theater Script-Story) This humorous adaptation of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale is perfect for grades 4-8. When a miller brags to the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold, the girl finds herself locked in a dungeon with a roomful of straw to spin. A strange little man appears and promises to complete the task—for a fee. But what happens when he asks a price she is unwilling to pay? So begins one of the all-time classic fairy tales. Length: 25-35 minutes

Puss In Boots (Reader's Theater Script-Story) Adventure with fairy tale land's most famous feline! When the youngest son of a Miller inherits nothing but a cat, he thinks his life is over. That is, until his cat makes a proposition: buy him some boots, and he will make his master wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. So begins the adventures of Puss in Boots, one of fairy tale land's most charming rogues. Over the course of his adventures, Puss in Boots cons a king, outwits an ogre, and wins wealth and fame for his hapless master. Based on the 17th century fairy tale by Charles Perrault, this story's plot is true to the original fairy tale, yet embellished with humor and wit. Length:  30-40 minutes

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Reader's Theater Script-Story) + Adaptation Analysis Instructions  Prepare to be enchanted by a timeless tale that has inspired everything from classical masterpieces to Disney magic to Harry Potter. Dive into the thrilling story of a plucky young apprentice who finds himself under the tutelage of a mysterious sorcerer with a dark secret. When the boy discovers his master’s sinister plans, he dares to defy him, sneaking forbidden spells from the sorcerer’s secret book. What follows is an electrifying adventure packed with living broomsticks, jaw-dropping animal transformations, and a wizard’s duel so spectacular, it will leave you spellbound! The teacher guide also provides instructions for using this script in conjunction with Walt Disney’s Fantasia (1940), Paul Dukas’s classical piece The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and the classic poem by Goethe. Length: 30-40 minutes, With additional activities:  100-110 minutes