Pigs and wolf on a map!

The students will construct a Double Bubble Map (Venn Diagram) to compare and contrast two versions of a familiar fairytale.

A lesson plan for grades 2–4 English Language Arts

By Cherry Randall

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Related pages

• The Frog Prince: Compare and contrast: This lesson can be used with numerous pieces of literature, videos or cassette material to develop viewing and listening skills and the students ability to compare and contrast. One of the richest sources is in the area of fairy tales and folktales. This an especially good source if you can find a modernized version in video or cassette form to contrast with the more traditional written form. I have used the "Frog Prince" because of this factor and because it was part of the 4th grade language arts reading unit.
• Comparing and contrasting Little Red Riding Hood stories: This lesson will introduce the Venn diagram to students. They will read two versions of the story "Little Red Riding Hood" and list details from each in separate diagrams.
• The big, bad, red wolf: Fact and fantasy: This lesson will explore the myths and legends surrounding wolves. We will also investigate factual information about the endangered red wolf.

Related topics

• Learn more about Three Little Pigs, compare and contrast, fairy tales, folktales, graphic organizers, language arts, read-alouds, and similarities and differences.

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Learning outcomes

The students will be able to compare and contratst two stories by identifying the main characters in a story, identifying the plot of a story, and explaining the climax and conclusion of a story as well as the point of view. They will also be able to construct a Double Bubble Map (Venn Diagram) to organize this data.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

2 days

Materials/resources

• The True Story of The 3 Little Pigs by A. Wolf by Jon Sciezka
• “The Three Little Pigs” (Original Version)
• Each student will need paper and pencil
• copy of a Double Bubble map or a Venn Diagram for each student.
• Pigs on a Map
sample Double Bubble map

Technology resources

Each student will need access to a computer with a color monitor.

Pre-activities

• The students will have prior knowledge of the story “The Three Little Pigs”.
• The students will need to know the definition of compare, contrast, character (hero, villain) , plot, climax and point of view.

Activities

Day 1

1. Read aloud the original version of “The Three Little Pigs”.
2. Discuss characters, setting, point of view, climax and resolution.
3. Ask students if they think it would be interesting if the wolf could tell his version of this story. Read aloud The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf by Jon Sciezka.
4. Again discuss characters, setting, point of view, climax and resolution.
5. Ask students the definition of compare and contrast. Ask students what graphic organizer we can use to compare and contrast the two books we just read.
6. Draw a Double Bubble Map (Venn Diagram) on the chalkboard. Lead a class discussion of similarities and differences in the two books.
7. Have students give examples of similarities and differences and the correct placement on the map.
8. Give each student a copy of a Double Bubble Map (Venn Diagram) and instruct them to use the data on the chalkboard to complete their map. In addition they are to put at least 2 new examples in each area of the map.
9. Assign each student a computer with Thinking Maps software and have them create a Double Bubble Map (Venn Diagram)using their rough draft.
10. Have students print the final copy.

Day 2

1. In small groups, have students select a familiar fairy tale picture book to read. Each group will fill out another bubble map for the familiar fairytale. Then students will retell the story from the point of view of a character other than the hero or heroine. For example, the witch in Hansel and Gretel, the huntsman in Snow White, the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk.
2. Have students fill out another Double Bubble Map (Venn Diagram) showing how their story is different when it is told by a different character.
3. Have students share their stories with their group, or publish as a class book of “Untold Fairytales”.
4. As a class, discuss how the story changes when told from a different point of view.

Assessment

• Informal assessment through question and answer during class discussion.
• Teacher observations while students are working independently.
• Completed Double Bubble Maps (Venn Diagram).
• Written versions of their fairy tales from a different point of view.

Supplemental information

Comments

This lesson helps students learn to use a Double Bubble Map (Venn Diagram) to organize information in a clear and orderly way.