Week Two—Days 6 and 7
Lesson Summary
: Pocahontas, age ten, dressed in a deerskin apron, with a string of shell beads around her neck, most probably enjoyed running through the tall grasses of the meadows, encountering an abundance of wildlife and wildflowers as she gathered treats of nuts and herbs for her family in the village. With the arrival of the English, glass beads were received in exchange for food and items made in her village. The glass beads became a sign of one’s importance in her father’s villages and were used as ornaments on clothing, headbands or necklaces.
Procedures
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1. Willie Sunday, a puppet, will take the children on an imaginary journey through the forest and meadows, asking the children to name the animals they may have encountered.
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2. Willie introduces his journey box which contains a Native American doll dressed in deerskin and a string of beads. He explains the type of clothing that Pocahontas most probably wore and tells the children about the significance of the beads. Willie shows pictures from the book
Pocahontas,
along with several other references, giving the children a mental picture of Native Americans in Pocahontas’ day.
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3. The children will gather large stones and etch their impressions of children from Pocahontas’ village onto the stones. Magic markers and tempera paint will be used to paint the etchings.
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4. The children will string glass beads, forming a pattern that they have learned from a math lesson, (e.g., red, red, white; red, red, white, etc. or any other color pattern they choose.)
Week Two—Day 7
Lesson Summary
: Early Native American children were active in their native villages, playing games that taught them skills for later life. Boys participated in a game of throwing stones or shooting arrows at moving targets. Girls were busy helping their mothers gather herbs and vegetables along with preparing meals for their families. Both boys and girls helped to protect the gardens by chasing away any animals that may have strayed into the area looking for a tasty meal.
Procedures
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1. Willie Sunday will find a pair of deer antlers in his journey box. He helps the children recall the different animal parts that were used in the daily lives of the early Native Americans. For example, the antlers were used to help scrape the deerskin so that the hide could be tanned and later used for clothing.
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2. Willie’s journey box also contains foods common to early Native American villages. After introducing the foods, Willie divides the class into groups of four or five, telling them that they will become scientists today as they gather information in their group. Each group will receive a different vegetable (e.g. beans, squash, corn on the cob, tomatoes.) The children will record their information on a fact sheet and report back to class.
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3. The children will enjoy a vegetable dish made from the various foods that were studied.
Native American Food Data Sheet
Name of Scientist:
Name of Food:
Where it grows: (vine, stalk, tree, etc.)
Use words to describe what you observe with your food.
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1. Outside (skin, peel, etc.)
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Color
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Shape, Size
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Texture (how does it feel)
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Draw a picture:
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2. Inside
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Color
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Seeds
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Smell
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Taste
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Draw a picture:
Week Two—Days 8 and 9
Lesson Summary
: Pocahontas, a young princess from Chief Powhantan’s tribe, saves the life of John Smith, a Captain of the English who settle in nearby Jamestown. She relies heavily on the wisdom and guidance of Grandmother Willow as she falls in love with the Captain. Together, their lives have the power to bring peace to a troubled land where two different cultures try and live side by side.
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1. Willie Sunday will open his journey box containing the Disney version of “Pocahontas.” He will tell the children to listen carefully to the content of the story while viewing the film.
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2. The children will take notes in their journals while viewing the film. Each child will give an evaluation of the film at he end of their journal. “Do you feel that the content was portrayed accurately? Why or why not?”
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3. The children will gather in groups of four or five, discuss issues related to the film, and, report back to class. Discussion will center around the following questions:
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1. About how old was Pocahontas in the story? Do you think she is older or younger in the film? Why?
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2. Why do you think Disney changed her age in the film?
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3. What type of clothing did Pocahontas wear in the story? What type of clothing is she wearing in the film?
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4. Do you think Pocahontas’ hairstyle is appropriate for her age in the film? In real life do you think Pocahontas would have worn her hair in this style? Why or why not?
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5. Did Pocahontas and Captain John Smith fall in love and get married in real life? Why do you think Disney changed the story?
After School Program
The After School Program meets for a total of six to eight weeks, one day a week for an hour and half session. Children may sign up for this program on a voluntary basis with their parent’s permission. They are chosen on a first come basis until enrollment reaches approximately fifteen children.
The video, “It’s So Nice To Have A wolf Around The House,” will be used as an introduction to our creative drama class. The story centers around a wolf who answers an ad in the newspaper for a house maid. The old man immediately hires the wolf but discovers shortly after that the wolf had poised as a dog. The wolf has a breakdown—everyone cares for him, including the cat, fish and dog. At his trial the fish defends the wolf by telling the judge that it is not fair to judge wolves by their appearances. When the wolf is set free, they throw a big party on the deck. By the end of the story they are all living in Arizona because it is better for the wolf’s health. Discussion will center around questions such as: “Why was the wolf trying to trick the old man? Why did the fish give a good defense for the wolf?”
The sessions following will be used for rehearsal time for producing a school-wide production on stage. In addition, background scenery and simple costumes will be developed.
A story will be chosen that was written during creative writing in the regular classroom. Either the class or I will help to expand the story and prepare it for a schoolwide play production. One such example that follows was written by first graders, Daniel Byas and Melissa Salinas and expanded by their classmates.
“Little Red”
By Daniel Byas and Melissa Salinas
Once upon a time there was a rabbit called “Little Red.” He lived in the woods with his mother and six brothers and sisters. They had a big house in a bunny hole by a big oak tree. Of course, their bunny hole came equipped with a refrigerator and stove along with eight bunny beds.
One day Little Red and his six brothers and sisters were having a breakfast of carrot soup sprinkled with nice green clover grass. After breakfast, Mother asked Little Red to take some nice fresh carrots and juice to Grandma’s house. She heard by way of Squeaky Mouse that Grandma had the rabbit flu.
Mother told Little Red to be careful and stay on the path. She knew how curious Little Red could be. She heard through Squeaky Mouse that the big wolf was seen close by the path to Grandma’s house.
Now Grandma lived on the other side of the woods by a stream in Farmer Brown’s meadow. As Little Red started down the path, he spied some tracks by the side of the path. They were giant tracks. Little Red followed the big tracks. As Little Red looked at the tracks, a big shadow fell over him. He was scared because he did not know who was behind him. As Little Red sat very still, Mr. Wolf looked down on him. Mr. Wolf’s stomach began to growl as he thought about a nice rabbit stew that he could have back in his wolf den. Just as Mr. Wolf as about to grab Little Red for his rabbit stew, he thought about the promise that he had made to all of the forest animals. He had promised that he would be a kind wolf and would not cause anymore trouble. So Mr. Wolf offered to help Little Red back on the path and take him to Grandma’s house.
When Little Red and Mr. Wolf came to Grandma’s house, they found Grandma Rabbit in bed with bubble gum stuck to her mouth. She had just blown a big bubbl
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and when Little Red and Mr. Wolf knocked at the door, the bubble burst all over her face. Mr. Wolf and Little Red helped her to remove the bubble gum. Little Red gave the carrots and juice to Grandma Rabbit. Grandma Rabbit was so excited that she jumped out of bed and gave a piece of bubble gum to Little Red and Mr. Wolf. Then they had a party.
By this time, Little Red’s mother was worried because Little Red did not come home. So she and Little Red’s six brothers and sisters went looking for Little Red. When they arrived at Grandma Rabbit’s house, they saw the party and decided to dance with Little Red, Grandma Rabbit and Mr. Wolf.
Now, if you ever see a wolf at a rabbit party call 911.
Sample Script
“Little Red”
Scene 1—This scene opens with a wolf dressed as the wolf character may have appeared to Little Red Riding Hood when they met at Grandma’s house. The wolf walks back and forth on stage, gesturing as he talks to the audience.
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Howly Prowly Wolf: Hello ladies and gents. I am so glad to be here with you today. It gives me great pleasure to introduce myself as Howly Prowly Wolf. (He takes a bow.) Now . . . you maybe asking why I am dressed in this modest attire. (Wolf gestures towards his clothing and then places hands on his hips before pacing back and forth again. He stops intermittently and speaks directly to the audience.) Well, you see I was just visiting Grandma’s house waiting for Little Red Riding Hood. I just had a nice tasty meal with Grandma—left over chicken in her refrigerator. I was waiting for Little Red Riding Hood so I could share the goodies in her basket—you know . . . those nice cakes and cookies that her mother packed. (Pauses, puts both hands on hips and looks intently at the audience.) Some of you look like you don’t believe me. Do you really think that we wolves like to eat people? Come, come now, they are much too tough! At least that’s what some of my past relatives reported when they tried a few people steaks. Seriously, I would much rather share a chicken or deer steak with you any day. Really, I do like to share—I have to share or how do you think my wolf pack gets fed. By the way, wolf pack means my family—me, the father, my wife, the mother, our young cubs along with aunts, uncles and cousins. Our pack has ten members, but we could have as many as fourteen or as little as seven or eight. Of course, since I am the leader of the pack, I eat first . . . Well . . . I am the biggest in my pack—in fact, I am the king and everyone knows it. After I’m finished then my other wolf hunters join in the feast. Did you know that we carry some of our fine food back to the den for our cubs where they are being baby sat by another wolf. Would you like to know how we carry food and feed our cubs? (Wolf looks at the audience for a moment with a big grin on his face.) We have a built-in sack called the stomach and we regurgitate or bring our food up for them to eat. Disgusting—yes, but it is very convenient—saves a lot of washing dishes and going to the store for new carrying bags. By the way, going to Grandma’s house was a real treat—we wolves don’t get the chance to raid a refrigerator—just like I told you, we have to get out there and hunt our own deer steak. Do You know how I got my name, Howly Prowly Wolf? Before we go on a hunt, we love to howl and sing songs. We do that after a hunt too so that we can all travel back to the den together. Sometimes we howl just for the fun of it or to let another pack know that we are close by. Did you know that we use to live all over North America—yes—everywhere—today most of us live in the wilderness parts of Canada and Alaska. I prefer the big wooded areas.
(“Jazz Wolf,” a cassette of contemporary jazz using guitar and saxophone along with howls of wolves is played while rabbit dancers come on stage and perform in the background)
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Howly Prowly Wolf: (Howly Prowly walks back and forth in front of the rabbit dancers while they perform their dance routine.) Gol . . . lie, I better be going or I’ll miss the play “Little Red.” (He pauses and looks at the audience.) I really enjoyed my chat with you—I hope you learned something interesting about my family.
(Rabbit dancers end their dance and exit.)
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Narrator: Once upon a time there was a rabbit called “Little Red.” He lived with his mother and six brothers and six sixters at the edge of the forest. They had a bug burrow by an old oak tree. Of course, as you can see their burrow was the finest in all of the forest.
Scene 2 (Scene opens with Little Red in bed while his six brothers and sisters are eating breakfast.)
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Mother: Let’s see . . . are all of my little bunnies here? (Mother serves breakfast while she counts.) One, two, three, four, five, six . . . I do believe someone is missing . . . now who could that be . . . or, perhaps I miscounted the bowls of carrot soup . . . One, two, three, four, five, six, seven . . . Oh dear, I have seven bowls . . . Did I miscount my bunnies?
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Sister: (Tries to interject while mother is counting.) Mother, mother, Little Red is in bed.
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Mother: Little Red is in bed you say. Oh my, well of course, there he is . . . I better call Doc Rabbit and have my mind checked . . . seems I just can’t think anymore . . . (Phone rings, mother answers the phone. it is Squeaky Mouse.)
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Squeaky Mouse: Mother Rabbit did you know that Granny Rabbit is sick with the rabbit flu? I was under her table looking for bread crumbs. When I couldn’t find any, I thought I better investigate. I found her in bed moaning for carrot juice.
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Mother: Oh dear, thank you kindly Squeaky Mouse. I’ll send Little Red right over with fresh carrot juice. (Mother calls Little Red and tells him to take some fresh carrots and juice to Grandma.)
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Little Red: (Little Red leaps out of bed.) Did I hear someone say carrots? Carrot juice, carrot soup, carrot cake, carrot bread . . . I’ll take it any way you fix it mother dear.
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Mother: I’m sorry, Little Red, you slept right through your breakfast. Now you must hurry and take these nice fresh carrots to Granny who is sick with the rabbit flu. (Mother grabs Little Red’s coat and helps him into it.) But Little Red do be careful and go straight to Grannys house. You don’t have time to be curious today and wonder off the path. Besides, I heard from Fannie Squirrel that Howly Prowly Wolf was seen the other day playing with his little ones. And you know how those wolf fathers are—they like to teach their small ones to hunt by going after us rabbits.
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Little Red
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. Now mother dear do not fret. Why, with carrots in my pockets, I’ll be at Granny’s house in 30 seconds.
(Little Red skips down the path—the aisle of the auditorium—while the rabbit family exits from the stage.)
Scene 3 (Narrator: Granny Rabbit lives on the side of the woods by a stream in Farmer Brown’s meadow. This scene opens with Little Red walking down the path to Grandma’s house.)
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Little Red: (Little Red walks down the aisle of the auditorium. He spies some tracks and stops to investigate before he walks onto the stage.) Whow . . . these are big tracks . . . why I can’t imagine who made them . . . boy my science teacher would love a sampling of these. Hey . . . I see a bigger one over there. (He stoops down to investigate and freezes.)
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Howly Prowly Wolf: (Wolf has been slowly jaunting down the aisle while Little Red is investigating the tracks. He comes behind Little Red and looms over him with arms outstretched. A rumbling noise is made from the background. The wolf smacks his lips and rubs his stomach. Then he turns to the audience as he gestures toward Little Red who remains frozen.) What I wouldn’t give for a nice rabbit stew back in my den. Just think what I could have in that rabbit stew—rabbit, of course, (laughs) peanuts, popcorn, watermelon, potato chips, carrots, rice, frosted flakes and tomato juice all in one big stew. (He turns towards Little Red.) Yeah . . . I think I’m going to eat . . .
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Little Red: (Little Red pulls a carrot out of his pocket.) A carrot Mr. Wolf.
(Little Red freezes with carrot in hand.)
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Howly Prowly Wolf: Yes . . . yes . . . yes . . . just what I’ve had in mind. (Turns to the audience.) You see I did promise all of the forest creatures that I would be a kind wolf . . . a helping wolf. Come, come Little Red let’s be off to Grandma’s house.
(Wolf and Little Red exit to the back of the auditorium.)
Scene 4 (Narrator
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. Granny is sick in bed while Little Red and Wolf are on their way to deliver the carrots and juice that mother sent.)
(Granny is in bed moaning for carrots and chewing bubble gum. She blows a big bubble and it bursts. Little Red and Wolf walk down the aisle, onto the stage and knock.)
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Granny: (Granny moans but cannot talk because of the bubble gum stuck to her mouth and face.)
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Little Red and Howly Prowly Wolf: (Little Red and Wolf help to remove the gum and proceed to give Granny the carrots and juice.)
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Granny: (Upon seeing the carrots Granny jumps out of bed and yells.) Whoop . . . ie . . . yall want some bubble gum? We are going to party. (Lively music is played while the wolf, Little Red and Granny dance.)
(The music is lowered while the dancing continues. Mother and Little Red’s brothers and sisters come down the aisle in search of Little Red. They stop about half way, freeze and point toward the stage as the narrator tells the audience that they are out searching for Little Red. When the narrator says that they will join in the party, they will go on stage and dance with the other characters for a few seconds. The whole caste freezes while the narrator speaks the last line.)
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Narrator: Meanwhile Mother becomes worried about Little Red. She and Little Red’s brothers and sisters go out in search of him. When they come to Granny’s house they join in the party. (Narrator pauses for a few seconds while the search team joins the others on stage.) And . . . if you ever see a wolf dancing with a rabbit call 911.
