English Blast Unit of Inquiry Lesson Plan
Unit of Inquiry Name: PUPPETS AND FOLKTALES
Unit Contributed by: Lynda
Duration of Unit (in classroom hours): 3
Target Age Group (in years): 6 - 8
Basic Goals and Objectives: Introduce folktale terms: characters, plot, setting,
theme/moral. Allow students to adapt a favorite folktale according to the 4 categories.
Introduce students to basic puppet making.
Reference Materials Recommended (texts, workbooks, picture books,
maps, videos, websites, audio materials, etc.):
Additional Notes, Suggestions or Comments about the Unit:
Week 1
Materials Required: Video clip of an updated folktale (Muppet Classic Theater -- six
fairy tales with a twist)
Class Content and Activities:
  1. Introduce and explain new vocabulary: characters, plot, setting, theme/moral.  Review
    the story of Three Little Pigs and check understanding of new vocabulary by applying
    terms to story.
  2. Watch video clip of adapted folktale.  List differences between original and adapted
    version according to the four categories: characters, plot, setting, theme/moral.
  3. Divide into groups.  Each group chooses a tale to adapt.  Adult serves as secretary to
    record ideas for adaptations.
Homework: Fill in the 4 categories: characters, plot, setting, and theme/moral for your  
favorite fairytale or folktale. Gather old socks, buttons, ribbons, yarn for puppet making and
bring Week 2.
Week 2
Materials Required: Old socks, buttons, ribbons, yarn, glue, thread, etc.
Class Content and Activities:
  1. Introduce new vocabulary: Narrator, narration, narrate.
  2. Each group chooses an adult to be the narrator and assigns puppet roles. Groups
    continue to work on adaptations of the group's selected tale, as well as prepare scenery
    and props needed for performance.
  3. Students make simple sock puppets that resemble characters in adapted tales.
Homework: In word book, list other words that have different forms for verbs and nouns:
eg. play, player
Week 3
Materials Required: A theater made from a large cardboard box with a simple curtain(s)
that can be opened and closed for scene changes.
Class Content and Activities:
  1. Students practice making facial expressions with sock puppets in the "theater."
  2. Allow for practice time for each group using the theater.
  3. Group performances of puppet shows.
Homework: In journals, write a short comment for each performance.  What did you like?
What was different from the original story?
ENGLISH BLAST!