CINDERELLA FROM AROUND

THE REGIONS

Symbol: Cinderella
Learner and Environmental Factors
4th grade Social Studies: Kansas and Regions of the United States

Standards (KCCRS):
Kansas Social Studies: Standard # 3: Societies are shaped by beliefs,
ideas, and diversity.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.7: Interpret information presented visually,
orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines,
animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how
the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it
appears.

Lesson Performance Objective:

The student will compare and contrast three Cinderella stories using a
Three Circle Venn Diagram with at least 9 total differences and 9 total
similarities.
Materials: *
 Book: Hayes, Joe. Little Gold Star / Estrellita de oro: In retelling this
version of the Cinderella tale, which was brought to the U.S. Southwest
by the first Spanish settlers, draws on both the English and Spanish
renditions he heard as a child. The heroine, Arcia, is kind to a hawk and
receives the reward of a glowing star on her forehead, and, ultimately,
the love of the prince, while her stepsisters, who are spiteful and
treacherous to the bird, are disfigured.
Book: Smoky Mountain Rose: An Appalachian Cinderella. Schroeder,
Alan. Told in dialect, this is the story of Rose, who must contend with
stepmother Gertie and her daughters, Annie and Liza Jane. With the
help of a hog, Rose makes it to the big party and catches the eye of
the rich feller.
Book: The Rough-Face Girl. Martin, Rafe. A young Indian girl, whose
face and hands have been burnt from tending the fire, wishes to marry
the Invisible Being. Tested by his sister, she alone of all the village
maidens is found worthy. This beautiful, haunting retelling of a tale
from the Algonquin tradition.
3 Circles Venn Diagram worksheet (1 per student)
Pencils
Whiteboard and Expo Markers or SmartBoard and SmartPens
Large Map of the United States
Student Grouping(s) (individual, cooperative learning)
THE PLAN
Anticipatory Set: (The HOOK)
o Say, We all have heard of the story of Cinderella. Can you name
some things wed all recognize about that story?
Have students raise hands to be called out to shout out
popular symbols and references to the Cinderella story.
o Now say, But did you know that there have been different
versions of the Cinderella story written?
o Show the three book covers as you are introducing the lesson.

Introduce the Lesson:

Say, Well, today were going to read three stories, Little Gold Star,
Smoky Mountain Rose, and The Rough-Face Girl. First, were going to
look at the regions these stories are set in, and then we are going to
compare and contrast the three stories! Are you ready?
Instruction:
Teaching the Lesson
Pass out the Three Circle Venn
Diagram. Explain to the students
that this is like a normal Venn
Diagram, only one more circle is
added on. Tell them that they will
need at least 3 differences (or
contrasts) for each story to begin
with.
Have them label one of their circles with Little Gold Star,
one with Smoky Mountain Rose, and the last with The
Rough Face Girl.
o Gradual Release of Responsibility I DO IT First, read
Smoky Mountain Rose.
Check for understanding: Ask students the following
questions throughout the story:
Where is the setting located?
Who are the main characters?
Whats the major conflict?
Is there a special symbol in the story?
After this story, have students draw conclusions to which
region this story would be set it.
Have the large map available for the students to see.
Hints would be: Appalachian Mountains, southern
accents
The students should conclude that this story is set in
the Southeast region.
Have the students write down their answers within the
appropriately labeled circle in their Three Circle Venn
Diagram.
o Gradual Release of Responsibility I DO IT Next, read Little
Gold Star.
Check for understanding: Ask the students the following
questions throughout the story:
Where is the setting located?
Who are the main characters?
Whats the major conflict?
Is there a special symbol in the story?
After this story, have students draw conclusions to which
region this story would be set it.
Have the large map available for the students to see.
 Hints would be: Spanish-American, high hills of New
Mexico
The students should conclude that this story is set in
the Southwest region.
Have the students write down their answers within the
appropriately labeled circle in their Three Circle Venn
Diagram.
o Gradual Release of Responsibility I DO IT Finally, read The
Rough Face Girl.
Check for understanding: Ask the students the following
questions throughout the story:
Where is the setting located?
Who are the main characters?
Whats the major conflict?
Is there a special symbol in the story?
After this story, have students draw conclusions to which
region this story would be set it.
Have the large map available for the students to see.
Hints would be: shores of Lake Ontario, Algonquin
Indians
The students should conclude that this story is set in
the Northeast region.
Have the students write down their answers within the
appropriately labeled circle in their Three Circle Venn
Diagram.

Guided Practice and/or Independent Practice:

o Guided Practice
Now, as a class, come up with one way all three stories are
similar. (Have students brainstorm aloud with the class.)
Have the students write this in the very center of their
Three Circle Venn Diagram.
Next, as a class, come up with a similarity between Smoky
Mountain Rose and The Rough Face Girl. (Have students
brainstorm aloud with the class.) Have them write this in
the overlapping area between these two labeled circles.
o Independent Practice
Instruct the class to fill out (on their own) two more
similarities between all three stories and two similarities
total between each of the overlapping areas between the
books. Allow time for this.
o Closure:
Students will raise their hands to be called on to share at
least one difference or similarity aloud to the class. The
 teacher will be writing these down on the whiteboard or
SmartBoard.
(Each student should be called on at least once.)
To conclude the lesson, ask the students what region the
following books were placed in. (Point to the regions on the
map as they are said aloud.)
Little Gold Star
Smoky Mountain Rose
The Rough-Face Girl
Thank the class for their hard work on discovering the
stories regions and comparing and contrasting the stories.
Tell them to be thinking of regions where other stories
settings may be placed in when they read.

Assessment/Evaluation:
The teacher will assess that at least 9 total differences and at least 9
total similarities are noted on the students Three Circle Venn
Diagrams.
Extension Activity:

As a class, you could create a Kansas Cinderella Story. You could have
fill-in-the-blank pages, giving one to each student, and then you could
combine them to form a class book.