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Year 8

Planning a fairy tale about a social issue

I can use the conventions of fairytales to plan a story about a social issue.

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New
New
Year 8

Planning a fairy tale about a social issue

I can use the conventions of fairytales to plan a story about a social issue.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Fairy tales have specific conventions including noble heroes/heroines, magical transformations and happy endings.
  2. Charles Kingsley was a Victorian clergyman who took a stand against the use of children as chimney sweeps.
  3. Kingsley’s novel ‘The Water Babies’ adapted the fairy tale genre to protest the use of children as chimney sweeps.
  4. His novel was influential in raising awareness of the cruelty of child labour.
  5. Freytag’s narrative structure can be adapted by any writer.

Common misconception

Fairy tales are written solely for children.

Fairy tales are primarily stories about transformation and therefore this form appeals to many writers, especially those who are interested in social issues.

Keywords

  • Adapt - to change, or to alter something, to suit different conditions.

  • Clergyman - a man ordained into the church of England.

  • Noble - socially superior but also honest, brave, and kind.

  • Transform - change completely the appearance or character of something.

You could make a link to a text like 'Animal Farm' which is also subtitled 'A Fairy Story' and 'A Christmas Carol' which also has fairy tale qualities.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What do we call a story that often begins with the words: "Once upon a time"?
allegory
Correct answer: fairy tale
anecdote
Q2.
In the Victorian period, what were chimney sweeps?
long brushes designed for cleaning chimneys
Correct answer: small children employed to climb flues and clean chimneys
people who organised the cleaning of chimneys
Q3.
Which of the following best characterises the Industrial Revolution?
political upheaval and social unrest up to and including civil war
an artistic and cultural movement that breaks with the past
Correct answer: significant advances in technology, manufacturing and transportation
a religious movement that significantly changed personal behaviour
Q4.
When we talk about the conventions of literature, what do we mean?
Correct answer: the established expectations of genre of and style
the personal preferences of individual readers
the historical events that influence a particular work
the geographical location where events are set
Q5.
Which of the following is the best definition of the phrase "rags to riches"?
a struggle for survival in a hostile environment
a tale of adventure and exploration
Correct answer: a journey from poverty to wealth and success
a story of unrequited love and heartbreak
Q6.
What word, beginning with G, refers to a type of literature?
Correct Answer: genre

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words on the left with their synonyms on the right.
Correct Answer:adapt,rework

rework

Correct Answer:noble,virtuous

virtuous

Correct Answer:transform,change

change

Q2.
Freytag's narrative structure is which shape?
circle
square
Correct answer: pyramid
spiral
Q3.
Starting with the first, put the sections of Freytag's narrative in chronological order.
1 - exposition
2 - rising action
3 - climax
4 - falling action
5 - resolution
Q4.
Match the sections of Freytag's pyramid with the correct definition.
Correct Answer:exposition,introduces the characters and settings

introduces the characters and settings

Correct Answer:rising action ,events and complications begin

events and complications begin

Correct Answer:climax,the turning point where conflict reaches its peak

the turning point where conflict reaches its peak

Correct Answer:falling action ,tension begins to decrease

tension begins to decrease

Correct Answer:resolution ,the conflict is finally resolved

the conflict is finally resolved

Q5.
What was Charles Kingsley's profession?
Correct answer: a clergyman
a chimney sweep
a novelist
Q6.
What of the following best explains the popularity of stories about transformation?
They provide an escape from reality and allow readers to imagine other lives.
They reinforce traditional values and guidance on how to live a good life.
They depict dramatic conflicts and suspenseful plots that engage readers.
Correct answer: They champion the possibilities of personal growth and change.