created by Adrianne Creighton

Grade: Five

Critical Task: Students will formulate a set of powerful questions to present in our Character Trial involving Jack of Beanstalk Fame.

Overview: In preparation for a debate/character trial as a culmination to a study of Fairy Tales, students study a classic version of this story, and then brainstorm criteria for a powerful question to be presented by the "Prosecutor", "Judge", or "Defending Lawyer" at a trial (we determined that the Giant would remain alive after his fall). In pairs, students use the criteria developed in class to assess questions they have generated individually. Students develop questions to be asked of Jack, the Giant, Jack's Mother, The Giant's Wife, The Fairy, or the Butcher (and any others). Students learn about Canadian Judicial procedures, and apply them in this setting. 

Requisite Tools:

• Students will examine a classic version of Jack & the Beanstalk, and underline key points that insinuate important information regarding characters, setting, sequence of events etc.
• Students have familiarity with organization of plot and characterization

• Students will organize their information on a "fact sheet" where they will develop 10 "facts" for each character
• Students will discuss details of each characters' "testimony" and write a short story of the events from one characters' perspective (class will be divided into groups per "character").

• Perspective & Point-of-view (whose?)
• Hypothesize; Project Outcomes
• Sequence of Events
• Testimony; Evidence; Judgement

• Character "fact sheet" organizer
• discussion of issues and view points
• Summary of "One Characters' Perspective"

• Attention to detail: determine "perspective" (reading between the lines)
• Hypothesize; Project outcomes

STEP A: Gaining background knowledge on subject

1. Study a "Classic Version" of Jack & The Beanstalk (richer details than contemporary versions)
2. Develop Character facts and record on "Fact Sheet"

STEP B: Introduce Critical Thinking Challenge.

1. Brainstorm Criteria for a "Powerful Question" - possible examples might include: Gives you lots of information; Is specific to the person or situation; Is open-ended; Cannot be answered with a simple yes or no; Is usually not easy to answer; "leads" to more information; The question may be unexpected
2. Group questions together according to "who" they will be directed towards

STEP C: Forming a judgment

1. Develop "Perspective Synopsis" of sequence of events according to individual characters (completed through group discussion and write-up)
2. Re-vise questions to "fit" character perspective

STEP D: Evaluation of critical thinking: ** At this point the challenge can be integrated with a Social Studies unit on the Canadian Judicial System - Students will need to be introduced to Court Setting; Roles & Responsibilities or Judge, Jury, Court Reporter, Witnesses etc.; Traditional Procedures; Portions of the Young Offenders Act, etc.

Grade 5

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