Teach Values through Fairytales
A Class Plan from the Characters Character, Whooti
Who is Whootie Owl?
The host of “Absolutely Whootie: Stories to Grow by”http://www.storiestogrowby.com”>www.storeistogrowby.com.. Whootie Owl, “The Characters Character”, presents a selection of ethical and entertaining fairytales and folk tales from around the world.
Why teach a Values Class?
- To drive home the point that holding positive values is important to do.
- To set forth your expectations for children.
- To create a common language between you and the youngsters in your charge.
Why use fairytales?
- Fairytales speak the language of children. Positive messages woven through fairytales are easily absorbed into the hearts and minds of children, while messages perceived as blunt instructions or orders are more likely to be rejected.
- The multicultural quality of fairytales & folk tales demonstrates to children that people all over the world share many of the same concerns.
Why use the fairytales on Whootie Owl’s web site?
- “Kid-tested”. The stories in this collection were the unanimous, enthusiastic favorites in testing before a live audience. Whootie Owl’s stories are bound to be crowd-pleasers because they are fun!
- Positive & upbeat. Each story on Whootie Owl’s web site speaks to a theme of human values such as courage, kindness, and perseverance.
- Free of sexist or racist references. Entirely nondenominational.
- Copyright-available. Stories are derived from sources in the public domain. Ample footnotes provide expanded information about the stories.
- & they’re FREE, too!
Are you ready to try a Fairytales & Values Class using Whootie Owl’s stories?
Here’s a few tips:
- Recommended time/class: 45-minutes. Number of stories/class: 2 to 3. Number of consecutive classes overall: up to 4.
- In your introduction, ask the students to suggest the countries of origin for your Fairytales & Values Class. It’s important to engage your students from the very first by allowing them to shape the class. This way, they’ll be excited to be part of the process, and their hearts & minds will open to “ready” position. Have prepared a list of Whootie Owl’s story summaries so you can suggest that a child select a different country if no story is available from the country first mentioned (for the alphabetical list, go to Whootie Owl’s home page http://www.storiestogrowby.com”>www.storeistogrowby.com., scroll to the middle of the page to: “click here for an alphabetical list of all stories”).
- Remember to read the stories yourself before the class begins. That way, when the time comes for you to read aloud to your class, you’ll be able to give an easier, more flowing reading.
- Before reading a story, ask a student to identify the country of origin on your classroom map or globe [they’ll love doing this!].
- Allow five minutes discussion following each story. Whootie Owl provides suggested discussion questions online.
Follow-up to your Fairytales & Values Class
The most powerful impact from a Fairytales & Values Class can occur after the class is over, when a classroom incident or personality clash reminds you of a situation described in one of the stories. Say: “This reminds me of the part in the story such-and-so.” Or: “The way you handled that is like how the character in the story such-and-so handled the whatever-scary-situation.” Or: “Do you remember what so-and-so did in the story?” Draw references to the fairytales in your everyday classroom life to reinforce the positive messages presented. Remember, isolated experiences tend to fade while reinforced experiences become accepted into the core being of children.
Visit Whootie Owl at “Absolutely Whootie: Stories to Grow By”
for fairytales & folk tales that help kids grow.
– Elaine Lindy, CEO of Whootie Owl Productions