Rapunzel Shares Her Perspective: Fun Writing Ideas for Kids

In this writing lesson, Rapunzel gets to tell her perspective!

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.*

Kids enjoy a twist on a familiar story. For this writing lesson, the students write in 1^st person as if they are Rapunzel. They share what life is really like with 70 feet long hair and being stuck in a tower. Children are certainly free to write from the perspective of the parents, the witch or the prince. However, for the sake of this lesson, I’m focusing on Rapunzel.

Rapunzel’s Easy Art Accent

One thing that makes this guided writing lesson so charming is the easy art accent that goes around the border of the child’s finished writing. You can find the steps to this art accent following the writing lesson below!

Common Core State Standards

NOTE: This lesson can address the following Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3, RL.K.9, RL.1.3, RL.1.9, RL2.3, RL.2.6, RL.3.6, RL.4.3, RL.4.6, RL.5.3 and RL.5.6

NOW FOR THE LESSON!

To get a full understanding on how I conduct each writing lesson you may want to read the Writing Prompts Introduction post. This Rapunzel writing lesson outlined below (and all other prompts posted) will make more sense and be easier to follow and use. Here’s the bordered and lined paper I use for Grades K-2 and Grades 2-7

Tell the Story Line

First, tell the story line: “You’re going to write in 1^st person as if you are Rapunzel. You’re going to share details about what life is like with 70 feet of hair and also what life is like stuck in a tower.”

Second, read the story* to your students or have them watch this video. Explain to them that Rapunzel is an herb, a plant with leaves like lettuce or spinach and has roots like a radish.

Brainstorm

Next, have the students brainstorm information gathered from the story:

Rapunzel is named after an herb
Her mom craved the herb during pregnancy
Her dad stole the herb from a witch’s garden
The witch caught him
He was allowed to take all the Rapunzel he wanted and had to give the baby to the witch
The witch named her Rapunzel
When Rapunzel was 12 the witch put her in a tower in the forest
Rapunzel’s hair grew and she had a beautiful voice
A prince heard her and climbed her hair to visit her
The witch cut her hair and sent her to the desert

Then, have the students brainstorm daily life for Rapunzel:

Washing, combing and braiding her hair (fun or frustrating?)
Being alone in the tower (good or bad?)
Activities in the tower (bored or creative? Singing….what else?)

Lastly, have the students brainstorm thoughts that Rapunzel may have had about:

Her name or her parents’ greediness
The cruelty of the witch
Her long hair or living in the tower
The witch climbing her hair!
Meeting the prince
Leaving the tower

Show the 5 Sections

Rapunzel’s Name
Her Parents/The Witch
Long Hair
Time in the Tower
The Prince

Remember: K-1^st Graders are encouraged to write 1 sentence for each section, 2^nd Graders 2 sentences, 3^rd Graders 3 sentences and so on.

NOW TO WRITE!

Guide the students through the following steps. Remind your students to use 1^st person, “I” and “my” throughout their writing. Encourage them to refer to the list of thoughts that Rapunzel could have and include them in their writing. Their words can be serious or super silly!

First, introduce yourself and explain your name.

Hello! I am Rapunzel. Do you know anyone else named after an herb? I don’t know anyone name basil, oregano or parsley, do you?! Well, my mom wanted to eat Rapunzel all day long when she was pregnant with me….

2. Second, write your thoughts about your parents and the witch.

So, my dad went looking for some. He found Rapunzel in a garden and stole it! My dad was a complete thief and paid for it terribly. The evil witch made my dad give me to her after I was born!

3. Third, write about your long hair.

I grew really long hair. It was so heavy. It took me 24 hours, an entire day, just to wash it. The first time I tried to braid it, I got all tangled up….

4. Fourth, write about your time in the tower. Think creatively. Anything can happen!

Now, the tower, was a blast! I wasn’t bored at all. I just wanted the witch to feel bad, so I told her I was lonely and bored. Actually, birds would bring me flowers. I would use the petals to paint murals…

OR, there were tiny fairies in the cracks of the walls. They would come out at night and play games with me….

5. Lastly, write about meeting the prince and your escape.

Then, one day, I heard a deep voice. I looked out the window and…