These classroom activities are designed to complement the Jon Scieszka topic on BrainPOP Jr.
Fractured Fairy Tales Collaboration
If possible, read The True Story of the Three Little Pigs together and discuss point of view. Then have students write their own versions of a classic folktale, but written from the point of view of another character in the story. For example, they might want to re-tell “Cinderella” through the eyes of a stepsister or re-write “Jack and the Beanstalk” from the point of view of the giant. Encourage them to be creative. Then have them swap stories and illustrate each other’s work. How can illustrations bring a story to life? What scene will they choose to illustrate? Have students collaborate, just as authors and illustrators do when they create a book together. Finally, have students share their work with the whole class and add their books to your class library.
Travel in Time
In The Time Warp Trio series, three friends travel through time and learn about history. These books often share historical facts and teach readers about a particular event or person in history. Have students choose an important leader from history. They can research in the library or online. Then have students write a short story about a character who travels in time and meets this historical leader. Be sure the students add historical facts as well as elements of fiction, such as dialogue. Have students share their stories or act them out in front of the class.
