Jacob Grimm was born in Hanau, Germany, on January 4, 1785. With his brother Wilhelm, he began collecting traditional German folk tales, publishing their first volume,聽Children and Household Tales, in 1812. While many of these stories are still well known today鈥�”Cinderella” and “Little Red Riding Hood” among them鈥攖heir long-critiqued violence and frankness have been toned down over the years in more familiar versions. After a long career as an academic and librarian, Jacob died in 1863.
about聽the publication of the first volume of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm鈥檚聽Children鈥檚 and Household Tales听(Kinder-und Hausm盲rchen), popularly known as Grimms鈥� Fairy Tales.
Students are always fascinated to learn that the fairy tales associated with the Brothers Grimm to which many of them have been exposed are not, in fact, the original Grimm versions; students have most likely only read or seen softened or “Disney-fied” versions. This activity has students encounter the original versions, so it may not be appropriate for younger students.
Have a student tell the story of Cinderella, starting from after the Ball. Then, have students read the end of聽聽of the story and use the聽聽interactive to compare and contrast this version with the more familiar retelling they heard from their classmate. Encourage students to discuss why certain changes might have been made and what the effects of those changes are on readers.
Next, ask students to choose a 聽to read. Ask students to rewrite this story for an audience of elementary school children. Students should be able to explain what changes they made and the intended effects of those changes. Alternatively, students can use the聽聽to write alternative versions of fairy tales.
What is your favorite Grimm tale?
Curious about the 起点传媒and Library of Congress connection? Through a grant announced recently by 起点传媒Executive Director Emily Kirkpatrick, 起点传媒is engaged in new ongoing work with the Library of Congress, and 鈥渨ill connect the ELA community with the Library of Congress to expand the use of primary sources in teaching.鈥� Stay tuned for more throughout the year!
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