Kerpoof Lesson Plan: Fairy Tale Reporter Title: Fairy Tale Reporter Topic(s): Journalism, Creative Writing, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Materials and Resources: Kerpoof’s Make a Story or Make a Movie, Student Worksheet, Vocab Sheet, Fairy Tale Fact Sheets, Copies of local newspaper article, Read-Aloud versions of the Fairy Tales (Optional, see Additional Resources) Grades: 3-5 Objectives: Each student will take on the role of a hard-hitting Fairy Tale Reporter (complete with pen name) on the trail of a hot news story. They’ll write an illustrated/animated article on Kerpoof about the Three Bears Break-in, the Case of the Missing Grandmother, The Fall of Humpty Dumpty, etc. while answering the questions who, what, when, where, why, and how? Standards (NCTE):

NL-ENG.K-12.5 Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a va-riety of purposes. NL-ENG.K-12.6 Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to cre-ate, critique, and discuss print and non-print texts. NL-ENG.K-12.7 Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems... [They] communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.

Vocabulary: article — a text or piece of writing on any non-fiction subject correspondent/journalist/reporter — a person who writes articles for a newspaper desk — a department of a newspaper; for example, “the sports desk” headline — the title at the top of an article. The most important news stories of the day are called “the headlines.” media — all means of mass communication (papers, TV, radios, the internet, etc.) editor — the head of a newspaper or newspaper department editorial — an article written by the editor stating her/his opinion exclusive rights — rights or permission for one paper to publish a story that no other paper can feature — a special article in a newspaper, usually displayed prominently pen name — a false name used by an author to conceal his or her identity, also called a pseu-donym. byline — a printed line accompanying an article that gives the author’s name Preparation: 1. Before the lesson, pick out a short, appropriate local news article for the class to read to-

gether. Make sure that the article answers the questions who, what, when, where, why, and how. 2. Make copies of the article to pass out in class. 3. Select two or three different fairy tales or nursery rhymes with animation and characters supported on Kerpoof. Examples include: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, Humpty Dumpty, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Frog Prince. Some of these are more heavily supported than others—make sure to recommend the Doodle button (seen below) in Make a Story and Make a Movie. If you want to use a fairy tale that we haven’t written a Fact Sheet for, feel free to create your own! Instruction: 1. Pass out the newspaper articles. Have students read the article out loud (either call on students or take volunteers). After they’ve finished, write the words WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, and HOW on the board. 2. Explain that these are questions that every journalist tries to answer when s/he writes a news article. Ask students to reread the article that they just read out loud and find the answers to who, what, when, where, why, and how. Have stu-dents raise their hands when they’ve identified a passage, and write their answers on the board. Pass out the Vocab sheets (you can print them back-to-back with the Student Work-sheets) and go through the vocabulary. Prompt students to identify the headline, byline, etc. 3. Tell your students that they will be writing a short, creative news article on Kerpoof that answers who, what, when, where, why and how, and also provides a new perspective on an old story. Optional: Read aloud versions of the fairy tales you’ve selected. Make sure the stu-dents understand they’re listening as skeptical journalists who want the “real” truth! 4. Pass out the Fairy Tale Fact Sheets (either assign students different tales or let them choose their own). Have them break up into groups that share the same Fact Sheet. In their groups, prompt them to read, discuss, and fill in the blanks. Pass out or project the Kerpoof Example. 5. Before your students draft their articles, have them take a few minutes to think of a pen name for their bylines. Give them some examples of famous pen names: Mark Twain, George Eliot, Richard Bachman, Lemony Snicket, Lewis Carroll, George Orwell, etc. There are also silly pen names like “Sue Donim,” “I. Wrotethis,” “Mike Ollum,” and “A. Corey Spondent.” 6. Remind students to be creative with their news stories. They might even want to take turns “interviewing” each other within their groups to get more quotes for their articles. 7. Have students write a rough draft of their article in class or at home. 8. Time to go to the computer lab! Pass out the Student Worksheet. Have students log on to Kerpoof and create their articles with Make a Story or Make a Movie. If Make a Movie is used, students may choose to present their article in the format of a TV news story, using Kerpoof characters as the anchor and lead reporter. 9. Allow students ample time to complete their work. After they’ve finished, have them pick a partner (not one from their group) for a peer review. Explain that they are now “editors” checking the work of a reporter before it is published. 10. Have students redo their work as needed and resubmit. Encourage them to give stars!

Create Your Own Doodle

Kerpoof Lesson Plan: Fairy Tale Reporter

Three Little Pigs Fact Sheet

Name: ______________________________

Police report: Two residences were destroyed yesterday at approximately ___________ (time of day). The houses were 15 and 16 Fairy Tale Lane. The occupants: The two homeowners, Billy and Tommy Pig, were inside their houses at the time of the incident, but luckily unhurt. Evidence at the scene: a tuft of brown fur, debris blown in all directions, __________________________ (evidence), and a paperback book titled

________________________________. Witness reports:

“I was just starting _______________ (chore) when I heard a knock at the door.”- Billy Pig “A gruff voice told me to let him in, or he’d huff and puff and blow my house down. I said, ________________________.” - Tommy Pig. “They came over without calling, as usual. Good thing my house is made of _________________.” - Harry Pig, brother “It was that wolf again, I’m telling you!” - Red Riding Hood, neighbor.

Press release: “We think the culprit is big, bad, and probably has a huge lung capacity.” - Police Chief Jack Horner

Other details:

_______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

The Three Bears Fact Sheet

Name: ______________________________

Police report: There was a break-in yesterday at 10 Fairy Tale Lane at ap-proximately ___________ (time of day). The occupants: a Mr. and Mrs. Bear and their child, Baby Bear. They had been vacationing at ___________________ (place). Evidence at the scene: an empty bowl, a broken chair, slept-in beds, ____________________ (evidence) and three strands of shiny, golden hair. Witness reports:

“I’m so ______ (emotion)!”- Mr. Bear “And the worst part is, __________________________________

_________________________________________.” - Mrs. Bear “At least they didn’t take my ______________________ (favorite toy)” - Baby Bear “I saw someone sneaking out the window.” - ___________ (fairy tale character), neighbor. “She was _________________________

___________________________________ (description).” Press release:

“We think the culprit is small, blonde, and still hungry for porridge.” - Police Chief Jack Horner

Other details:

_______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

Little Red Riding Hood Fact Sheet

Name: ______________________________

Police report: The grandmother of Little Red Riding Hood went missing today at approximately __________________ (time of day). The occupants: Grandmother lives at 13 Fairy Tale Lane. According to Red Riding Hood, a suspicious, furry imposter is currently lying in her bed. Evidence at the scene: a large-toothed, large-armed, large-eared individ-ual lying in Grandmother’s bed, __________________________ (evidence), and a half-empty jar of ____________________ (condiment). Witness reports:

“Grandma didn’t even like ______________ (condiment). Who could have used that much of it?” - Little Red Riding Hood “I thought I saw Little Red Riding Hood going to visit Grandma as usual.” - Woodsman, neighbor. “Her voice was kinda __________, but Grandma let her in… Then the real Red came by a few minutes later.” “My, what big _________ (body part) you have!” - Red Riding Hood, to imposter.

Press release: “Red Riding Hood is currently interviewing the suspect. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens next.” - Police Chief Jack Horner

Other details:

_______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

Humpty Dumpty Fact Sheet

Name: ______________________________

Police report: Humpty Dumpty has fallen off his wall again. He fell from the wall at the end of Fairy Tale Lane at approximately _____________ (time of day). History: This is the fourth time Humpty has fallen in ______________ (span of time). He blames an inner ear infection, but key sources say he was pushed.

Evidence at the scene: eggshells, a great deal of yolk, _______________, and ________________ (evidence).

Witness reports: “I was dancing to ____________ (song) by __________(artist), and I must have lost my balance.”- Humpty Dumpty “I was walking by at the time, and definitely saw somebody push him.” - _____________ (fairy tale character) “That’s ridiculous. I’m just clumsy.” - Humpty Dumpty “And as soon as All the King’s Horses and All the King’s Men fix me up, I’ll ___________________________________________________.”

Press release: “Humpty is still in critical condition at Mother Goose Hospital, but we’re doing our best to put him back together.” - All the King’s Men.

Other details:

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

The Frog Prince Fact Sheet

Name: ______________________________

Police report: A loud disagreement broke out at Fairy Tale Palace last night at approximately __________ (time). Concerned neighbors called the police, who responded immediately to the scene. Party #1: A frog, who claims to be a _______ (royal title) in disguise, in-sists that he was promised a kiss for retrieving the Princess’s favorite ____________ (toy) from the pond. Party #2: The resident Princess claims that no such promise was made. Witness reports:

“There’s no way I’m kissing a __________ (adjective) frog!” - The Princess “But you said, ‘I’m so _______ (emotion) I could kiss you’ when I got your toy out of the pond.” - Frog “It’s just an expression! Jeepers!” - The Princess “We’re grateful to the Frog for his service, but _______________

__________________________________________” - King Cole Press release:

“The Frog is being escorted off the property by the King’s security guard, and his claim to royalty is being investigated.” - Police Chief Jack Horner

Other details:

_______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

Hansel and Gretel Fact Sheet

Name: ______________________________

Police report: Two children are suing a witch over what they claim to be “illegal use of gingerbread, intended to entrap and/or ensnare.” They filed their lawsuit today at the King Cole Courthouse at ___________ (time of day). The plaintiffs: Hansel and Gretel, a brother and sister, live at 3 Fairy Tale Lane.

The defendant: The unnamed witch has retained the legal services of Peter, Peter, Pumpkin & Eater. Breadcrumbs, _______________ and ______________ (evidence) were found at her house deep in the Fairy Tale Woods. Witness reports:

“We were out walking in the woods one day because _________ ______________________________.”- Hansel

“Then we came upon a big gingerbread house, freshly baked, with ____________ (candy) windows and candy cane detailing.” - Gretel “It was a clear ploy to entice us, but ________________________

_____________! We reported it to the police right away.” - Hansel “There’s a simple explanation for all of this…” - The Witch

Press release: “The actions of the witch are in clear violation of our Child Safety laws, and I, for one, hope justice will be served.” - Old King Cole

Other details:

__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

Name: ______________________________

article — a text or piece of writing on any non-fiction subject correspondent/journalist/reporter — a person who writes articles for a newspaper desk — a department of a newspaper; for example, “the sports desk” headline — the title at the top of an article. The most important news stories of the day are called “the headlines.” media — all means of mass communication (papers, TV, radios, the internet, etc.) editor — the head of a newspaper or newspaper department editorial — an article written by the editor stating her/his opinion exclusive rights — rights or permission for one paper to publish a story that no other paper can feature — a special article in a newspaper, usually displayed promi-nently pen name — a false name used by an author to conceal his or her identity, also called a pseudonym. byline — a printed line accompanying an article that gives the author’s name

Fairy Tale Reporter: Vocabulary

Name: ______________________________

Log in to Kerpoof.com with your Student ID

Enter Make a Story or Make a Movie and select one of the Fairy Tale scenes.

If needed, use the search field in Make a Story to find the right characters.

Look at the Kerpoof example for inspiration. Remember, don’t copy!

Using text boxes and speech bubbles, create your report. You may need to edit your rough draft.

Make sure you:

Create a headline for your article

Create a byline with your pen name

Include at least three quotes from witnesses

Answer the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How?

Write about at least three additional details that were not included in your fact sheet

Sniff out those clues! See if you can put a different twist on your fairy tale!

After you’re done, find a partner and do a peer review of each other’s articles. Pretend you’re the editor of the Fairy Tale News desk, and check for:

Spelling errors

Grammar errors

Headline

Byline

Who, What, When, Where, Why, How?

Originality

Rewrite and submit your own article.

Read other students’ reports and give them stars!

Fairy Tale Reporter: Student Worksheet

Fairy Tale Reporter: Kerpoof Example

Fairy Tale Reporter: Kerpoof Example

Fairy Tale Reporter: Additional Resources Expand on this lesson plan by having students explore the standards that real journalists follow. Resources on Journalism ethics and standards: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalism_ethics_and_standards http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivity_(journalism) http://www.superiorclipping.com/canons.html http://www.apme.com/ethics/ http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp http://media-awards.everyhumanhasrights.org/en/content/good-journalism Read-aloud versions of Fairy Tales: Title: Goldilocks and the Three Bears Author: Candice Ransom Publication Date: 2001 Publisher: Brighter Child ISBN: 1577681789 Title: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs Author: Jon Scieszka Publication Date: 1996 Publisher: Puffin ISBN: 0140544518 Title: Red Riding Hood Author: James Marshall Publication Date: 1993 Publisher: Picture Puffins ISBN: 0140546936 Title: What REALLY Happened to Humpty? (from the files of a hard-boiled detective) Author: Jeanie Franz Ransom Publication Date: 2009 Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing ISBN: 1580891098

Title: A Frog Prince Author: Alix Berenzy Publication Date: 1991 Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. ISBN: 0805018484 Title: Hansel and Gretel Author: James Marshall Publication Date: 1994 Publisher: Puffin ISBN: 0140508368