Once Upon a Time...
ESL Lesson PlansOnce Upon a Time...

Once Upon a Time...

In this B2-level ESL lesson plan, teens will dive into the elements of short stories by creating their own narratives. The 60-minute session features engaging group discussions, exercises focused on storytelling vocabulary, and writing skill-building tasks. Students will start by reflecting on their favorite fairy tales, participate in pair discussions, and analyze a short story to identify essential storytelling phrases. By the end of the lesson, they will craft their own short stories, beginning with "Once upon a time," to creatively express their experiences, feelings, and reactions.

Skills

  • Can give clear, detailed descriptions of real or imaginary events and experiences marking the relationship between ideas in clear connected text, and following established conventions of the genre concerned.
Online Interactive
Based on CEFR
Fully Customizable
1

Think of your favorite fairy tale or children's story.

1
What makes that story special or memorable to you?
2

In pairs, discuss the following questions.

3

Read a short story. Say what words and phrases are used to tell a story and talk about experiences, feelings and reactions.

4

Match the words and phrases used in storytelling to their definitions.

5

Rephrase each sentence using one of the phrases on the list.

6

Make sentences from these words.

7

In pairs, write a short story.

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