The original fairy tale of Cinderella has been retold in many different ways across the globe. There are many different points of views, as well as many adaptations to the original tale. Two of those retellings are Ella Enchanted, written by Gail Carson Levine, and Cinder, written by Marissa Meyer. This activity can be done in many ways. Students may compare all three stories, Ella Enchanted, Cinder, and Cinderella, or any two stories of their choice. Students will complete the chart provided as a template, but teachers may change categories for comparison as desired, or leave them blank for students to fill in on their own!
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Due Date:
Objective: Complete a comparison chart for the stories Cinderella, Ella Enchanted, and Cinder.
Student Instructions:
Encourage active participation by asking open-ended questions that prompt students to share their thoughts and connections between the stories. Use prompts like “Which character would you want as a friend and why?” to spark deeper thinking.
List thought-provoking questions related to character choices, plot differences, and themes. This helps guide the conversation and ensures all students can contribute.
Explain discussion norms like listening carefully, taking turns, and valuing all opinions. This keeps the conversation safe and productive for everyone.
Give students roles like discussion leader, summarizer, or questioner. Roles help shy students get involved and keep the discussion organized.
End by having students write or share a quick reflection on what they learned or what surprised them. This reinforces understanding and gives every student a voice.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer is a science fiction retelling set in a futuristic world with cyborgs, while Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine is a fantasy story featuring magic and curses. Both reimagine the Cinderella tale but with unique characters, settings, and themes.
Use a comparison chart where students write 2-3 sentences in each category for each story. Let them add images of scenes, characters, or items, and allow flexibility to choose or modify categories for deeper analysis.
Effective comparison categories include setting, main character traits, conflict, resolution, and themes. Teachers can customize or leave categories blank for student-led exploration.
Compare and contrast activities help students build critical thinking by analyzing similarities and differences in plot, character, and themes. These activities also make lessons engaging and foster deeper story understanding.
Have students fill out a comparison chart for two or three versions of Cinderella, writing descriptions for each story and illustrating their answers. This activity is easy to adapt and helps reinforce comprehension skills.