CH 7 / Original Fairytale

Instead of doing CH 7, I am going to do the assignment on researching an original version of a fairytale that interests me. Well, I must say that it is pretty difficult to find this literature on the internet, well at least it was for me. I do not take a lot of things from the internet because I do not know if it is valid information. I decided to take my chances on this one and read, "The Original Version of Jack and the Bean Stalk." I found some of my information from this website:

http://www.dbskeptic.com/2008/11/17/more-original-versions-of-classic-fairy-tales/

Here on this website, it tells the story of Jack and the Bean Stalk. Now, if I were to incorporate this into my classroom, and I am going to have to use the original version, I would definantly use it with the oldest group of students, the 6th graders (because that is the highest level that I am certified for). I would use it to talk about right from wrong and the innocent people who die from the negligence from others. Just a quick rundown of the story, Jack gets the Bean Stalk and climbs up it and ends up going into the Orge's castle and stealing from him. Then after the 3rd time of theft, he gets caught and chased by the Orge, and then Jack kills the Orge by chopping down the bean stalk. I think that's pretty sad because he had no business in the Orge's castle and the Orge should not have to die and leave his family behind because some immature boy wants to go into the stranger's home and steal from him. This is a good book to read with juveniles, because they are entering into the stages of "fitting in," and let's face it, times are hard and people are robbing, stealing and begging more and more these days and this story would help bring up the topics of how the students feel when they don't have the things they need or even want. Or what led him to have the curiousity of going into the house? And many, many contreversial topics can be addressed. After the discussion of the story, we can even use a couple days on it, we can do a group project, like the one in class on big paper, but of our own interpertations of Jack and the Bean Stalk, maybe use characters that are in their everyday life and then we would be able to illustrate it and present to the class. I would encourage them to do an internet activity of the regular "Jack and the Bean Stalk," as well. We would probably do a small mini lesson about comparing and contrasting the two, but my focus would mainly be about comprehension and what they got from the literature. Then I would definantly follow through with a journal writing activity because I would want to know how the children really felt and the inside issues that had been brought up emotionally through the story.
These are the things I would do with my class in the future. This was a good assignment because now I know about the original versions and I can pass that on to them. I did not know of these before. I encourage you all to go to the website above and browse different versions of the fairytales. It's really neat and can give all of us some ideas.

"Author Study"

I did not do my author study about Fairytales or Fantasy. I want to share two more books with you that have to do with my author profile and then I will share one more that I found interesting. If you do not know, my author profile will be about Karen Katz.

"My First Ramadan," by Karen Katz, is about a little boy who observes the Muslim holy month with his family. This time the little boy wants to fast like the grown ups do, and the children will be intersted as he shares his expieriences with his family. I highly recommend Karen Katz's books because she is a culturally diverse author and I love that we can bring that into our classroom!

"Can You Say Peace," by Karen Katz, is about children all over the world who wish for peace. She takes us through a child-like journey of children all over the world and the different ways they say peace!

"That's Love," by Sam Williams, is a colorful, really cute book that teaches the children about love in a fun way. I recommend this book if you want to teach your classroom about love and respect. It is a really easy read.