The Wolf's StoryIn the original version of Little Red Riding Hood the Wolf is certainly portrayed as the bad guy. We are left in no doubt about that! Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma are innocent and didn't deserve to be treated so badly. I wouldn't trust that wolf if you paid me!!
Can the wolf convince us that he is not really at fault??? How could he persuade us to believe that?? The wolf in this story is trying to PERSUADE us (the readers) to believe his side of the story. You be the judge to see if he does a good job at persuading us. |
Before Reading
- Briefly review the traditional story of Little Red Riding Hood with the book. Make sure that the students realise that it is the narrator telling this story.
- Who are the traditional good and evil characters in this story?
- DISCUSS POINT OF VIEW. What is point of view? Remind students of point of view from the True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. Students should be able to share that point of view is who is telling the story.
- Say, “We will be reading a story about Little Red Riding Hood, but this story is written from the wolf’s point of view.” Ask, “Who do you think will be good in this story? Who will be evil? Why?” Have students turn and talk, then share answers with the group.
Read the story and discuss
This part of the lesson will really focus on highlighting the different perspectives between the Wolf’s version of what happened and Little Red Riding Hood’s version (In the traditional fairytale) of what happened in the story. Students should be asked to make comparisons and show the differences between the two stories. The students will begin to realize that two people can see the same situation very differently. Refer to the term "Point of View" again.
Ask the following questions of both versions of the story:
- Can you briefly summarise the events in each story?
- What happened to Grandma so that she wasn't there when Red Riding Hood arrived?
- How did the wolf get into Grandma's house?
- What was the wolf like?
- What was Little Red Riding Hood like?
- What was Grandma like in each version?
Finally . . .
Do you think the wolf is very convincing?
Do you believe his side of the story?
Why?
Do you believe his side of the story?
Why?