Article
Art by Jennifer Bricking
Words & Pictures,

The Story of Cinderella

Do you know the fairy tale “Cinderella”? You’re going to read a story about her stepsisters on page 24. Here are parts of the traditional Cinderella tale you should know before you read.  

From the March/April 2022 Issue
Lexiles: 520L
Guided Reading Levels: M
DRA Level: 20-24
Featured Skill: Key Details,
Topic: Social Studies,
Common Core Standards
  • RI.2.1 Key details RI.2.3 Describe how characters respond to events RI.2.6 Point of view RI.2.9 Compare two texts RI.2.10 Read grade-2 nonfiction texts SL.2 Discuss grade-2 texts L.2.4.a Use sentence-level context as clue for word’s meaning

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1) In the traditional story, Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters are mean.


Jennifer Bricking

They are even called “wicked.” They make her cook and clean all day. She has to wear rags. 

Cinderella does not complain. She is kind and good.


2) The prince has a ball.


Jennifer Bricking

A ball is a big dance. Cinderella wants to go, but she has no dress to wear.

Her fairy godmother comes. She turns a pumpkin into a horse-drawn carriage. She gives Cinderella a new dress. And she gives her glass slippers to wear.


3) Cinderella must leave the ball by midnight.


Jennifer Bricking

Her carriage will turn back into a pumpkin and her dress will turn back into rags if she does not leave by midnight. She forgets! She races away and leaves a glass slipper behind.


4) The story has a happy ending.


Jennifer Bricking

The prince looks and looks for someone whose foot can fit into the glass slipper. It fits Cinderella! She and the prince get married and live happily
ever after.

How would this story change if it were told from the stepsisters’ point of view? Read their side of the story in . . . The Real Wicked One.


video (1)
Slideshows (1)
Activities (6)
Skills Activities
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Slideshows (1)
Activities (6) Download All Quizzes and Activities
Skills Activities

About the Article

Social Studies

Long ago and today; Technology changes over time

Vocabulary

carriage

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

The big question of this issue of Storyworks 2 is: What is a fairy tale?

  • Reading and discussing “The Story of Cinderella,” along with the other fairy tale-themed texts in the magazine (the Big Read, “If You Lived in a Castle . . .”; the paired texts, “The Frog Prince”/“Real Frogs!”; the fiction story, “The Real Wicked One”; and the poetry kit, “I’m a Castle”), should give kids insight into the fairy tale genre.
  • Through the above stories, students will discuss: What is a fairy tale? Why do we like reading fairy tales? What makes a fairy tale different from other kinds of stories? 

BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

This article gives kids background knowledge that will help them better understand this issue’s fiction, “The Real Wicked One,” on page 24. 

1. BEFORE READING

Watch “The Big Question: What Is a Fairy Tale?”

(This video also goes with other stories in this month’s Storyworks 2.)

  • Before your students watch, ask them to think about the question “What is a fairy tale?”
  • Watch the video. 
  • After watching, ask the question again. Write students’ ideas on chart paper. 

Preview Vocabulary (2 minutes)

  • This article’s featured word is carriage. 

2.  READ THE ARTICLE (10 MINUTES)

  • Tell students they will learn about a classic fairy tale. It relates to the video they just watched about fairy tales.
  • This article works well with whole-class instruction. Call on different students to read each numbered section aloud. The numbers make the text easy to navigate.
  • As you read, stop to analyze the photos. What do students notice about Cinderella in numbers 1 and 3? (Cinderella is doing chores in the first picture. Her clothes are just rags, and she doesn’t look happy. Cinderella is wearing a fancy dress in the third picture. She is leaving a party.)
  • Point out the fairy godmother in the photo by number 2. Explain that fairy tales often have characters who can perform magic or make magical things happen.

3.  AFTER READING (10 MINUTES)

ELA Focus: Quiz (10 minutes)

ELA Focus: Fairy Tale Writing (15 minutes)

  • Students can practice writing their own fairy tale using the “Fairy Tale Writing” printables.
  • This guided resource helps students plan the characters, magical elements, and problem and solution of their story. Prompts and multiple-choice selections provide scaffolded directions for students.
  • Afterward, students can share their stories in pairs or with the entire class.

Enrich the Learning: Paired Text (20 minutes)

  • After reading this short article, students will have background knowledge for the fiction story, “The Real Wicked One,” on page 24.
  • Venn Diagram Use this printable to help your students compare and contrast this article with the fiction story.
  • Additional Pairable Texts: The Big Read, “If You Lived in a Castle”; the paired texts, “The Frog Prince”/“Real Frogs!”; and the poetry kit, “I’m a Castle”
  • These texts also ask questions similar to those posed in the fiction. What is a fairy tale? Is there a magical element in the story? If so, what is it?
  • Kids can compare the texts by using our “Fairy Tale Checklist” printable. How are the texts alike, and how are they different? 

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