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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

The Frog Prince: Compare and contrast

This lesson can be used with numerous pieces of literature, films, or sound 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 recorded 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.

A lesson plan for grade 4 English Language Arts and Information Skills

By Barbara Waters

Learn more

  • Aaron Shepard's Folktales Aaron Shepard has retold many old folktales that have been handed down from generation to generation. This collection also includes fairy tales, tall tales, myths, and legends from all over the world.
  • Folktales and fairy tales We all had favorite folktales we learned when we were growing up. LEARN NC has compiled a selection of instructional resources to teach students of all ages about folktales and fairy tales.

Related pages

  • Pigs and wolf on a map!: The students will construct a Double Bubble Map to compare and contrast two versions of a familiar fairytale.
  • 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.
  • Similes: "The Talking Eggs" by Robert San Souci is used to introduce and illustrate an author's use of language to paint a picture in the reader's mind. Students will draw a picture to show what this author meant, create similes to describe themselves, and finally use a simile in their next story in Writer's Workshop.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

  • recognize differences and commonality in two very different forms of information and be able to articulate those differences.
  • become more aware of necessary changes from one media to another.
  • enjoy interesting traditional stories in whatever form they are presented.
  • increase viewing and listening skills.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

1 hour

Materials/resources

  • The Enchanted Book with stories selected by Alice Dalgliesh and illustrated by Concetta Cacciola
  • Video: From the Brothers Grimm - The Frog King ASIN: 1888522151

Technology resources

  • Television
  • DVD player
  • Overhead, document camera, or SMART board
  • Computers and internet connection (Only if you want to use the books on the web)

Activities

  1. Discuss what makes a fairy tale/folk tale and what the students will be doing - listening and looking for things that are alike and different in the written/read form and video. Also, think about why some written material may have to be changed in the movie form.
  2. Read “The Frog Prince” from Enchanted Tales
  3. Show the Grimm’s fairy tale version of “The Frog King”
  4. On the board make two columns “Alike” and “Different.” Have students list what they saw and heard. (Be sure you have your own mental list in order to prompt ideas - if this is needed.)
  5. Discuss why the movie changed the story from three nights the frog slept on her bed to one night in the film form. This discussion may occur as a natural part of step 4 above. The students will usually want to discuss the personality of the Princess. Allow time for this and ask for specific examples. This is a good time to incorporate a little character education.

Assessment

  • List that the students generate on the board using the Criteria attachment (doc | rtf)
  • Enthusiasm in discussing the subject

Supplemental information

A good follow up to this activity is to read The Frog Prince Continued by Jon Scieszka.

Comments

This is a fun activity that can lead in a lot of different directions depending on what you want to do with it. A couple of suggestions:

  • Science - the life cycle of the frog
  • Storytelling - “The wide mouth frog”
  • Art - the art of John Sczieska
  • Writing - take a well known fairy tale and have students write the “rest of the story”
  • Media Skills - how to find fairy tales and folk tales

North Carolina curriculum alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 4

  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections with text through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.02: Analyze characters, events, and plots from different selections and cite supporting evidence
    • Objective 3.03: Consider the ways language and visuals bring characters to life, enhance plot development, and produce a response.

Information Skills (2000)

Grade 4

  • Goal 1: The learner will EXPLORE sources and formats for reading, listening, and viewing purposes.
    • Objective 1.01: Participate in read-aloud, storytelling, booktalking, silent and voluntary reading experiences.
    • Objective 1.09: Recognize that ideas are produced in a variety of formats (print, graphical, audio, video, multimedia, web-based).
  • Goal 5: The learner will COMMUNICATE reading, listening, and viewing experiences.
    • Objective 5.01: Respond to reading, listening, viewing experiences orally, artistically, dramatically, through various formats (e.g., print, multimedia).

  • Common Core State Standards

    • English Language Arts (2010)

      • Reading: Literature

        • Grade 4
          • 4.RL.7 Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.