Cinderella Folk Tales: Variations in Character. [Lesson Plan].

Something about the Cinderella story resonates with its audience. Related tales are told in cultures all over the globe--500 versions of the tale have been found in Europe alone. In America too, the classic tale, re-envisioned in print and other media, continues to be popular. What changes does the Cinderella story undergo when it is translated from one culture to another: Why do people love the character of Cinderella so much more than her own stepmother does? This lesson plan for a unit on Cinderella's character intended for children in grades 3-5: cites subject areas, time required, and skills developed; provides an introduction; presents learning objectives; poses a guiding question; gives tips for teachers preparing to teach the lesson; suggests (and delineates) three classroom activities; provides suggestions for extending the lesson; lists Web resources; addresses standards alignment; an offers charts for characters in Cinderella and for characters in Cinderella stories from around the world. (NKA)