Submitted by Linda, Kentucky
Idea posted November 9, 2004
Here's a drama idea I've used that the students loved. Read "Cinderella" (or any well known fairy tale) and stop at the climax of the story. Have the children change the plot, which will also change the ending. They can introduce new characters, settings, etc. Teach them how to write a simple dialogue and create conversations between the characters. Have them become producers of their own puppet show and present their revised fairy tale to the class. Each student could create his or her own puppets at home or during class. I've done this in cooperative learning groups of four to six students per group. This would also work in pairs, with each student performing the parts for several characters. You could get elaborate and have them perform in a puppet theater, or simply hide below a table and have the puppets perform above their heads. You could follow up with comparing and contrasting the two tales using a Venn Diagram. (Principals love seeing that in your lesson plans.) We even added backdrops, lighting, music, and sound effects. The students felt like stars after performing their plays for the school.