Being intelligent, adventurous students, you and your classmates have decided to enter the contest. First you must form a team of four students who will research, create and perform a new fractured fairy tale Readers Theater script.

Step 1
Before you can begin writing a new-style fairy tale, you need to make sure you know exactly what makes up a traditional fairy tale. You and your teammates will select and read a classic version of a fairy tale. Each person on your team will have a job:

Reader chooses a fairy tale to read to the group.
Scribe puts all names on the fairy tale elements guide, and records information for the group to share later.
Discussion leader helps lead the conversation and get ideas from the group for the scribe to write down on the guide.
Timekeeper keeps track of time left to finish the task, and keeps the group on task.

You may use the fairy tale books in your classroom or read a tale from the following website:

National Geographic Grimms’ Fairy Tales

Use the Fairy Tale Elements Guide to help you brainstorm the elements of a fairy tale.

Word version
PDF version

Step 2
In order to make sure we have the best possible list of fairy tale elements, share your list with the other groups in your class. Your teacher will help compille the master list based on everyone’s ideas.

Step 3
Your library lady, being a perfectionist, wants to make sure you really understand all of the elements of a fairy tale so that your own stories will be worthy of a place in our library. To show your knowledge of fairy tales and their elements, you need to read a classic fairy tale and write a one paragraph summary of the story. To help you write a good story, first fill out a story map about the fairy tale. Your summary should include all of the elements of your story map. (Your teacher will practice with you first before you show your expertise in writing a summary on your own.)

The following directions will help guide you on this step of the process:

• As a group, fill out a story map about The Three Little Pigs, read by your teacher.
• As a group, write a summary of The Three Little Pigs. Your teacher will be the scribe.
• Now that you have practiced together, read the story, The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
• On your own, fill out a story map about that fairy tale.
• On your own, write a summary of The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

Step 4
Now that you have the grasp of what makes a traditional fairy tale, it’s time to take a look at some fractured fairy tales and see how they compare to the original versions of the story. Your teacher will read a traditional version of a fairy tale to the class, and then she will read a fractured version of the tale. As a class, you will compare and contrast the two versions of the stories using a Venn diagram on the SMART Board.

To make sure you really understand the concept of a fractured fairy tale, select a fairy tale from your teacher's list and read the story with your group. Then, read the fractured version of that tale. Each person in your group will fill out a Venn diagram to show the similarities and differences between the two versions of the story.  This will show the library lady that you are truly worthy contestants and will be great fractured fairy tale writers. 

When you are finished, share your findings with another group in your class so they will get a chance to hear about another fractured fairy tale and get ideas for their own Readers Theater versions they will be creating.

Step 5
Now that you are an expert on the elements of fairy tales and have some ideas about how a fractured fairy tale can be written, it’s time for your group to select a fairy tale that you will write a fractured version of for your Readers Theater production. Fill out a story map of your fractured fairy tale.

Step 6
Because your library lady wants you to create Readers Theater versions of fractured fairy tales, it might be a good idea to become an expert on Readers Theater.
To find out exactly what Readers Theater is, check out Alan Shepherd’s Readers Theater site.

Now that you have a definition for Readers Theater, it’s time to practice performing a script before you have to write your own. Your group should select a script from one of the following resources or use a script given to you by your teacher. Your group will practice your script, and then perform your script for another group in your class.

Reader’s Theater Scripts and Plays

Reading Lady Readers Theater Scripts

Step 7
You’ve had a chance to experience Readers Theater, so now we need to come up with a list of elements of Readers Theater so we ensure that our scripts are of professional quality. With your group, brainstorm a list of elements you think make up Readers Theater. You will have 15 minutes to create your list. Once your time is up, each group will share their ideas so we can develop a master list of everyone’s ideas.

Step 8
Using your fractured fairy tale story map, write your Readers Theater script of your story. Each person in your group must contribute to the writing of your script. Have each person use a different colored pencil to write with as you create your story. You may use the Readers Theater writing guide to help you as you compose your script.

Step 9
Now that your script is complete, it's time to decide exactly what form you would like your Readers Theater to take. You might want it to be a traditional Readers Theater performance where you and your group members simply read and perform your script. You might want to use a program like Movie Maker, Photo Story, or Voicethread to add images and recorded sound to make a multimedia presentation of your script. With your group members, decide the final format you want to use for your project. You may need to ask your teacher or your library lady for help using a computer tool. Create your final project.

Step 10
The time has come to show your library lady your amazing Readers Theater project! Be sure you double check the scoring guide to make sure you have completed the task so you will have a better chance of having your story placed in the library or on the library website. You and your group memebers will perform your script and/or show your presentation to your classmates.