Fairy Tales Scheme of Work

(ages 12-13)

This six-week practical drama unit explores the fairy tale genre. Students analyse genre conventions using printed fairy tale sheets, then apply those conventions in group devising tasks culminating in a graded group performance. Lessons use named drama devices — Mantle of the Expert, Essence Machine, Voices in the Head, Angel and Devil and hot seating — and include scripted story texts and a mask resource. The final lesson is an assessed group performance with teacher feedback and self-evaluation.

What Students Will Learn

Across the unit pupils identify fairy-tale stock characters and recurring elements, develop characterisation and narration, and practise specialist devices such as voices in the head, essence machines and physical theatre. They will devise and rehearse an original fairy tale in small groups, use ensemble techniques to stage scenes for a younger audience, and take part in peer evaluation and teacher-led assessment of a final performance.

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6 detailed lesson plansA complete, practical teaching sequence for the unit.
Lesson-by-lesson activity guidanceUse the unit structure, skills focus and classroom tasks without starting from scratch.
Linked classroom resourcesResources, Props are included where they support the lesson sequence.

Week 1: Storytelling
Introduction to the fairy-tale genre where students recall being told stories and complete a Fairy Tale Sheet. Pairs devise short interview scenes where one student interviews a fairy-tale character about 'the good old days'.
Resources Include
Resources
Fairy Tale Sheet
Week 2: Little Red Riding Hood
Practical exploration of Little Red Riding Hood focusing on different points of view and tension. Activities include teacher-in-role hot seating as Mr Wolf and whole-class 'voices in the head' plus small-group devised sections.
Resources Include
Resources
Little Red Riding Hood
Props
Wolf Mask
Week 3: The Fox and The Wolf
Dramatisation of The Fox and The Wolf using Angel and Devil and physical theatre techniques. Students work in small groups to stage conscience debates and create physical cellar environments for performance.
Resources Include
Resources
The Fox and The Wolf
Week 4: Pauline and The Matches
Representation of 'The Dreadful Story of Pauline and the Matches' using an Essence Machine to build a collage effect and practise well-timed dramatic pauses. Groups then dramatise sections including the device.
Resources Include
Resources
The Dreadful Story of Pauline and The Matches
Week 5: Devising the Assessment
Group devising lesson where students plan an original fairy tale assessment piece. Pieces must include specified devices (voices in the head or Angel and Devil, essence machine, dramatic pause, narration) and additional chosen skills.
Week 6: The Assessment
Groups perform their devised fairy-tale pieces to the class for teacher grading and peer feedback; performances can be filmed and students complete self-evaluation sheets as part of the assessment.