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.
A lesson plan for grades 2–3 English Language Arts
Learning outcomes
By the end of the lesson the students will be able to do a comparison and contrast of two versions of Little Red Riding Hood.
Teacher planning
Time required for lesson
1 Hours
Materials/resources
Book Lon Po Po by Ed Young
Two circles about the size of a 9-inch paper plate cut from construction paper for each child (I like to use different colors for each circle.)
Technology resources
None.
Pre-activities
I have found that this lesson works best if I have done two previous lessons. First, I read the traditional version of Little Red Riding Hood. I have the students sequence the story and make big books as a small group activity. The next day, I read Lon Po Po and do another sequencing activity, this time having individual students list events in order.
Activities
- Read the story Lon Po Po to your class (if available read individually). Show the class a model of a Venn Diagram on the board. Label the circles Lon Po Po and Little Red Riding Hood.
- Have the students explain how they think you should label the area that both circles (stories) share. Explain to the students that a Venn Diagram is a graphic organizer that helps them to compare and contrast. Today they will be comparing and contrasting different parts of the versions of Little Red Riding Hood. Give the students a few examples of details from the books (Which book had a wolf? This detail needs to be written in the middle. How many children were in Little Red Riding Hood? This detail should be written under Little Red Riding Hood as one child and Lon Po Po as 3 children.)
- When you feel the students have an understanding of a Venn Diagram, pass out two circles to each child. Have them overlap so they have a model of a Venn Diagram. Have students paste the circles together. Remind the students to label the two circles. Using a black crayon, outline the space shared. (If you are short of time, you can prepare the Venn Diagrams prior to the lesson.) Remind the students to think of story elements when they are comparing and contrasting.
- Allow the students time to complete their individual Diagrams.
Assessment
After the students have had time to complete their diagrams, have each child come up and put one detail in the class Venn Diagram on the board. This is an excellent opportunity to see if they understand and have appropriately placed details. As a follow- up activity you may want to have the students write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the two versions using their Venn Diagram.
Supplemental information
None.
Related websites
None.
Comments
None.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 2
- Goal 2: The learner will develop and apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
- Objective 2.07: Discuss similarities and differences in events, characters and concepts within and across texts.
Grade 3
- Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
- Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
- fiction (short stories, novels, fantasies, fairy tales, fables).
- nonfiction (biographies, letters, articles, procedures and instructions, charts, maps).
- poetry (proverbs, riddles, limericks, simple poems).
- drama (skits, plays).
- Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
- author's purpose.
- plot.
- conflict.
- sequence.
- resolution.
- lesson and/or message.
- main idea and supporting details.
- cause and effect.
- fact and opinion.
- point of view (author and character).
- author's use of figurative language (e.g., simile, metaphor, imagery).
- Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.02: Identify and discuss similarities and differences in events, characters, concepts and ideas within and across selections and support them by referencing the text.



