By looking at the cover and title, what do you think this story might be about?
Where do you think this story takes place?
What clues tell you about the culture or setting?
Record student predictions on chart paper.
2. Shared Reading
Read the story aloud.
Pause briefly to:
highlight illustrations
point out cultural details
check for understanding
build anticipation
Ask:
How many children does the Emperor have? → Review: How many sons? How many daughters?
3. Vocabulary Exploration
Teach vocabulary as it appears in the story:
Plotting
Trying to secretly plan something—usually something sneaky or harmful.
Embraced
Held someone close in a hug or with affection.
Steely
Strong, firm, unbending—like steel.
Who inspired the Princess?
Discuss how she got the idea to save her father.
For each word:
ask students to act it out
use it in a sentence
draw a quick doodle to show meaning
4. Comprehension & Discussion Questions
Understanding the Story
How does the little princess keep the Emperor alive? → Discuss the kite, the food basket, and her bravery.
How did Djoew Seow rule after becoming Empress? Read the line: “As gentle as the wild and in her loyalty, as unyielding.” Ask what that tells us about her character.
Is the ending a good one? Why or why not? Encourage students to share opinions:
Is the ending complete?
Are they left with questions?
How might they change it?
Students write their answer to this question first in their journals.
✏️ 5. Writing Task – Summarizing
On a new page of their journal:
Write a summary of the story.
Remind them:
A summary tells the beginning, middle, and end
No extra details
Only the most important events
Use a simple organizer if needed:
Somebody (main character)
Wanted (goal)
But (problem)
So (what they did)
Then (how it ended)
Optional Extensions
Draw the kite scene showing how she saved her father
Compare this folktale to another one from the unit
Create a class anchor chart of “Qualities of a Hero”
