The teacher should read the story aloud to the class, then have the children read orally.
Discussion:
Who was the real villain? Was it really Rumpelstiltskin?
The class is to conduct an inquiry. Rumpelstiltskin’s body has been found in the forest with the names of the King, the Miller, the Queen, and a woodsman in his pocket. Who was Rumpelstiltskin? Was he really a figure of evil or was he a lonely forest gnome? What was his connection with the names found with his body? Children are to take the roles of these characters and to answer questions from the class. They must be careful to stay in character, and to think up a good line of defense for their actions.
Questions would range from
to Queen -
|
Didn’t Rumpelstiltskin really help you out?
|
|
If it weren’t for him, where would you be?
|
|
How could you marry a man who threatened to kill you?
|
|
Why did you promise Rumpelstiltskin your child?
|
|
Didn’t he give you a chance by letting you guess his name?
|
to Miller -
|
Why did you lie about your daughter?
|
|
Didn’t you start the whole problem?
|
|
Why didn’t you tell the truth when the King threatened your daughter?
|
to King -
|
What do you know of Rumpelstiltskin?
|
|
What did you need with more gold?
|
|
How could you threaten to kill a simple peasant?
|
Several children can take turns answering questions and defending their positions. After the role playing, discuss the motives of all the characters. The class should answer, either orally or on paper, the following questions.
1.
|
The characters would have been better off telling the truth. How may the truth help a person who is in trouble?
|
2.
|
What would you do if you were told to accomplish a task which you knew you could not do? Would you have a problem admitting the truth?
|
3.
|
Now that you are really acquainted with Rumpelstiltskin, has your opinion of him changed? If so, how? Why? Why do you think he is usually regarded as the villain?
|