1.13: The other side of the story

Lesson overview

Theme:Understanding Prejudice
Age Group:Year 1
Learning Area:English
Outcomes:EN1-8B

Content descriptor

Students recognise that there are different kinds of texts when reading and viewing.

Teachers notes

  1. This activity may be conducted over several sessions.
  2. Some students, for example newly arrived students from non-English speaking backgrounds, may be unfamiliar with the traditional fairy tale about the three little pigs. In such cases, it may be necessary to read the traditional fairy tale to the class before commencing this activity.
  3. Instead of using The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, teachers may choose to give their own examples of what the wolf’s motivations may have been, and as an alternative, ask students to create their own versions of The Three Little Pigs, writing from the wolf’s perspective.

Resources

Activity

  1. Read to the students the traditional story of The Three Little Pigs. On the board or on butcher’s paper, record the main events of the plot.
  2. Now watch the video “The true story of the Three Little Pigs” (5:25 mins)
  3. Ask the students to compare the two stories and to provide examples of how the wolf has been misjudged.
  4. Lead a class discussion on how inaccurate perceptions can lead to mistaken assumptions about people’s motives and behaviours and the importance of considering all perspectives.
  5. As a follow up to this activity, ask students to select another fairy tale and rewrite it from the point of view of one of the character’s using The True Story of the Three Little Pigs as an example. In their versions of the fairy tale, student’s should address how their character has been judged unfairly. The handouts: Bias in fairy tales (1) and (2) may be used by teachers as a stimulus to assist students.
  6. As a follow up to this activity, students may be asked to devise strategies to deal with the situations depicted in the scenarios. Groups may be asked to re-form and re enact the scenarios incorporating their solutions for dealing with prejudice.