Using Fairytales to Teach Across the Curriculum
Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with fairytales. Fairytales are not only fun and engaging for young children. They can also be used in middle and high school classrooms as well to help you teach across the curriculum.
These timeless stories contain universal themes, rich language, and cross-curricular connections that make them ideal for including in your middle or high school class. They can be used in reading, writing, science, social studies, geography, or math. Now, let’s explore how to incorporate fairytales in your middle and high school lessons.
Why Incorporate Fairytales in Your Middle & High School Lessons?
First of all, fairytales are rich in symbolism, moral lessons, and historical contexts, making them perfect for critical thinking and analysis. Here are some reasons to use fairytales in middle and high school:
- Cultural Relevance: Fairytales originate from various cultures. They can lead to discussions on folklore, traditions, and historical influences.
- Literary Analysis: Fairytales contain common literary elements such as archetypes, motifs, and themes that help students build analytical skills.
- Cross-Curricular Connections: Fairytales touch on multiple subjects, including science, geography, and social studies.
- Engagement and Creativity: Students can rewrite, modernize, or expand upon fairytales, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
- Differentiation: They can be adapted for different reading levels and learning styles.
Incorporate Fairytales in Your Reading and Writing Lessons
1. Compare and Contrast Different Versions
Fairytales often have various versions. And, you can assign your students to read some of these different versions. Then, you can have them create a Venn diagram or chart to compare elements such as character development, conflict, and themes from the various versions of the story. Encourage students to analyze how cultural backgrounds influence these differences and what values are reflected in each version. This activity helps students recognize the significance of storytelling traditions in various societies.
Some examples include, “Cinderella”, “Sleeping Beauty”, and “The Little Mermaid”.
2. Analyze Archetypes and Motifs
Students can identify recurring archetypes in fairytales, such as the hero, the trickster, or the wise mentor. They can then find examples of these archetypes in modern literature, movies, or television shows, drawing comparisons between classic and contemporary storytelling.
This can then lead into classroom discussions. Your students can discuss why these archetypes persist and how they shape character roles in different narratives. This activity builds critical thinking skills by encouraging students to see patterns in storytelling across time and media.
3. Rewrite a Fairytale from a Different Perspective
Encourage students to retell a fairytale from the antagonist’s point of view (e.g., The Three Little Pigs from the wolf’s perspective, one of my favorite retellings, I might add). They should consider the motivations, emotions, and backstory of the villain, providing depth to their version of the tale. This activity develops narrative skills by challenging students to rethink traditional stories and explore the gray areas between good and evil. Students can share their rewritten tales in small groups or as a class discussion to analyze how perspective changes the tone and meaning of a story.
4. Create a Modern Adaptation
Ask students to modernize a fairytale, setting it in today’s world with contemporary conflicts and resolutions. For example, Little Red Riding Hood could be transformed into a cautionary tale about being a wary of strangers on the street. In this tale, the “wolf” could represent some of the various “predators” our students might encounter on the street.
You can have your students write a short story, script, or even a social media thread that reimagines a classic tale with modern themes. This activity encourages creativity while reinforcing the relevance of classic storytelling in today’s world.
5. Fairytale-Based Persuasive Writing
Have students write persuasive essays on fairytale topics, such as “Should Goldilocks be punished for trespassing?” or “Should the prince in Sleeping Beauty have asked for consent before kissing her?” Students must support their arguments with evidence from the text. This could later lead to a “mock trial” with a jury made up of students. This activity helps students develop strong argumentative writing skills while engaging with familiar narratives in a thought-provoking way. It also encourages students to consider fairytales from a legal, ethical, or societal perspective.
6. Exploring Symbolism in Fairytales
Assign students a fairytale and have them analyze the symbolism within the story. For example, discuss what the poisoned apple represents in Snow White (temptation, danger, or deception) or the significance of Cinderella’s glass slipper (purity, transformation, or social mobility).
And, let’s not leave art out of the equation. For your artistic students, you will love this. I know I do! Have your students create visual representation of their findings using graphic organizers, drawings, or digital presentations. This activity helps students understand how symbols enhance storytelling and convey deeper meanings beyond the literal plot.
Incorporate Fairytales in Science Lessons in the Middle & High School Classroom
7. The Science of Poisons in Fairytales
Using Snow White as a starting point, students can research different types of poisons in history, their effects on the body, and how they have been used in literature and real life. They can investigate the chemistry behind common poisons, their antidotes, and famous cases of poisoning throughout history. Additionally, students can discuss ethical issues surrounding poisons in medicine and toxicology. This activity fosters scientific inquiry and connects literature with real-world scientific applications.
8. Engineering a Stronger Gingerbread House
Is it Christmastime yet? It doesn’t matter. You can still use gingerbread houses to help you teach math. Inspired by Hansel and Gretel, students can design and test the structural integrity of gingerbread houses using various materials (e.g., icing as cement, graham crackers as walls).
Your students can explore concepts of architecture and engineering by testing which designs withstand stress tests such as wind (blowing with a fan) or weight (placing small objects on the roof). Students can also research real-world building materials and techniques that create strong structures. This hands-on activity reinforces physics and engineering principles in an engaging way.
9. The Biology of Wolves in Little Red Riding Hood
Do you want another fun way to use fairytales in your middle and high school classroom? Do you want to add biology to the mix? Then, consider having your students study the real-life behavior and habitats of wolves or other villainous creatures from popular fairytales.
Next, you can have your students share their findings. This can help to debunking myths about these creatures ferocity and exploring their role in ecosystems.
Students can compare “real” animals to the ones portrayed in fairytales. Students can also discuss the ecological impact of predators and how food chains work in the wild. This activity connects literature to environmental science, fostering a deeper appreciation for wildlife conservation.
Incorporate Fairytales in Math and Geography Lessons in Middle & High School
11. Math: Fairytale-Based Word Problems
Students can solve word problems based on fairytale scenarios, such as calculating how many steps Cinderella took to reach the ball given a certain distance and stride length. Another example could be estimating the time it would take for Jack to climb the beanstalk based on a given height and climbing speed. This activity strengthens problem-solving skills while making math more engaging through storytelling.
I actually really enjoy having my English/Reading students do math word problems. Why? Math word problems force my students to use the skills that they have learned in my class and those they have learned in math to complete them. A win~win!
12. The Probability of Fairytale Events
Possibilities…possibilities…Probabilities…probabilities…
Students can analyze fairytales through probability. For example, what are the chances of encountering a wolf in the forest like Little Red Riding Hood? What’s the probability of finding a magical frog that turns into a prince? This activity introduces statistical thinking and real-world probability applications while encouraging students to think critically about the likelihood of fantastical events.
13. Financial Literacy with The Three Little Pigs
Ha…one of my favorite topics…financial literacy. You can use fairy tales to help teach your students about budgeting and saving money. (Be sure to check out my posts on budgeting)
You can use the story of The Three Little Pigs to let your students explore budgeting and cost analysis. They can calculate the expenses of building houses made of straw, sticks, and bricks, considering factors like material costs and labor. This connects fairytales to economics and financial literacy. It can also you’re your students understand real-world budgeting and resource management.
Incorporate Fairytales in Your Geography Lessons for Middle & High School Students
14. Mapping Fairytale Locations
Grab your maps! In your geography class your students can analyze the settings of different fairy tales and create maps showing where these stories might have taken place. They can research the landscapes, climates, and cultural aspects of these regions. They can identify connections between fairytale settings and real-world geography. This activity fosters spatial awareness and cultural understanding by linking storytelling with geographic knowledge.
15. Climate and Environment in Fairytales
Fairytales often take place in extreme environments, such as frozen landscapes (The Snow Queen) or enchanted forests (Hansel and Gretel). You can have your geography students analyze how climate and geography influence the settings of these stories. They can also research real-world locations that match these settings and explore how human life is affected by similar environmental conditions.
16. Cultural Geography and Folklore
Students can research the origins of famous fairytales and explore the cultural geography behind them. For example, The Pied Piper of Hamelin is based on German folklore. Aladdin originates from Middle Eastern stories. This activity encourages students to investigate how geography influences storytelling and cultural traditions.
By integrating fairytales across the curriculum, you can make learning more engaging and meaningful. These activities help students develop critical thinking, creativity, and cross-disciplinary connections. This makes incorporating fairytales a fun “must” for your middle and high school lessons.
Happy Teaching!!!
Other Articles to Read:
Creative Ideas for Teaching Fairytales in High School
Using Fairytales to Teach Argumentative Writing
https://2cuteclassroom.blogspot.com/2025/02/using-fairytales-to-teach-argumentative.html
My Teachers Pay Teachers Products to Check Out:
Fairytale Themed Plot Line Game
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fairytale-Themed-Plot-Line-Game-2894297
Comma Usage: Introductory Words Fairytale-Themed Task Cards
