GOODNIGHT MOON & THE RUNAWAY BUNNY
Applause Series Curriculum Guide January 7-8, 2016 GOODNIGHT MOON & THE RUNAWAY BUNNY
Dear Teachers, GUIDE CONTENTS
Thank you for joining us for the Applause Series presentation of About Des Moines Performing Arts Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny. We are thrilled to have Page 3 Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia return to bring to life these two popular children’s books written by Margaret Wise Brown and Going to the Theater and illustrated by Clement Hurd. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s Theater Etiquette ability to lift the work of classic children’s authors and illustrators Page 4 off the page and onto the stage is nothing short of exquisite. Civic Center Field Trip We thank you for sharing this very Information for Teachers special experience with your Page 5 students and hope this study guide helps to connect the performance to your Vocabulary in-classroom curriculum in ways that Pages 6 you find valuable. In the following pages, you will find About the Performance contextual information about the Page 7 performance and related subjects, as well as a variety of discussion About Mermaid Theatre questions and assessment of Nova Scotia activities. Some pages are Page 8 appropriate to reproduce for your students; others are designed more About the Author & Illustrator specifically with you, their teacher, in mind. As Harpercollinschildrens.com Page 9 such, we hope that you are able to “pick and choose” material and ideas from the study guide What is Black Light? to meet your class’s unique needs. Page 10
See you at the theater, All About Bunnies Page 11 Des Moines Performing Arts Education Team Pre-Show Exploration Page 12-13
Post-Show Discussion Questions Page 14
Assessment Activities Support for Des Moines Performing Arts education programs and the Applause Series is provided by: Pages 15-16
Alliant Energy, American Enterprise Group, Arts Midwest, Bradford and Resources and Sources Sally Austin, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Bravo Greater Des Moines, Page 17 Casey’s General Stores, DuPont Pioneer, EMC Insurance Companies,,
Hy-Vee, John Deere, Richard and Deborah McConnell, Polk County, Principal Financial Group, Sargent Family Foundation, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo & Co., West Bank, Willis Auto Campus and more than 200 individual donors.
This study guide was compiled, written and edited by Michelle McDonald and Karoline Myers. Adapted in part from materials by State Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 2 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide ABOUT DES MOINES PERFORMING ARTS
Des Moines Performing Arts is a private, nonprofit organization and is an DID YOU KNOW? important part of central Iowa’s cultural community. It is recognized nationally for excellence as a performing arts center and is committed to More than 300,000 people visit engaging the Midwest in world-class entertainment, education, and cultural Des Moines Performing Arts activities. venues each year.
Des Moines Performing Arts presents professional touring productions, Des Moines Performing Arts including theater direct from Broadway, world-renowned dance companies, opened in 1979. family programming, comedy, and concerts. Des Moines Performing Arts Education and Community Engagement programs are core to Des Moines has three theater spaces: Performing Arts' mission as a nonprofit performing arts center. Civic Center, 2744 seats Stoner Theater, 200 seats Public education programs allow audience members and local artists to Temple Theater, 299 seats make meaningful and personal connections to the art they experience on (located in the Temple for our stages. Guest lectures and Q&As with company members allow the Performing Arts) audiences to explore the inner workings of the performance. In addition, master classes, workshops, and summer camps taught by visiting No seat is more than 155 feet performers give local actors, dancers, and musicians the chance to from center stage in the Civic increase their skills by working directly with those who know what it takes Center. to succeed on the professional stage. Cowles Commons, situated Through its K-12 School Programs, Des Moines Performing Arts strives just west of the Civic Center, is to ensure that central Iowa students have affordable access to high quality a community gathering space arts experiences as part of their education. More than 50,000 students and that is also part of Des Moines educators attend curriculum-connected school matinee performances Performing Arts. The space through the Applause Series annually. In addition, Des Moines Performing features the Crusoe Umbrella Arts sends teaching artists into the schools to provide hands-on workshops sculpture by artist Claes and residencies in special opportunities that engage students directly in Oldenburg. the creative process. And, through its partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center, Des Moines Performing Arts provides teachers with As a nonprofit organization, in-depth professional development training on how to use the arts in their Des Moines Performing Arts classrooms to better impact student learning. The Iowa High School depends on donor funding to Musical Theater Awards is Des Moines Performing Arts’ newest initiative support facilities, programming, to support the arts in Iowa schools, providing important learning tools and and education programs. public recognition to celebrate the achievements of students involved in their high school theater programs. The Applause Series started in 1996. You are joining us for our 20th season of school performances.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 3 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide GOING TO THE THEATER . . .
YOUR ROLE AS AN THEATER ETIQUETTE AUDIENCE MEMBER Here is a checklist of general guidelines to follow
when you visit the Civic Center: Attending a live performance is a unique and exciting opportunity. Unlike the passive experience of watching a movie, audience members play an Leave all food, drinks, and chewing gum at school important role in every live performance. As they act, or on the bus. sing, dance, or play instruments, the performers on Cameras, recording devices, and personal stage are very aware of the audience’s mood and listening devices are not permitted in the theater. level of engagement. Each performance calls for a different response from audience members. Lively Turn off and put away all cell phones, pagers, and bands, musicians, and dancers may desire the other electronic devices before the performance audience to focus silently on the stage and applaud begins. only during natural breaks in the performance. Do not text during the performance. Audience members can often take cues from performers on how to respond to the performance Respect the theater. Remember to keep your feet appropriately. For example, performers will often off of the seats and avoid bouncing up and down. pause or bow for applause at a specific time. When the house lights dim, the performance is
about to begin. Please stop talking at this time. As you experience the performance, consider the following questions: Talk before and after the performance only. Remember, the theater is designed to What kind of live performance is this (a play, a amplify sound. Other audience members and the dance, a concert, etc.)? performers on stage can hear your voice! What is the mood of the performance? Is the Use the restroom before the performance or wait subject matter serious or lighthearted? until the end. If you must leave the theater during the show, make sure the first set of doors closes What is the mood of the performers? Are they before you open the second — this will keep happy and smiling or somber and reserved? unwanted light from spilling into the theater. Are the performers encouraging the audience to Appropriate responses such as laughing and clap to the music or move to the beat? applauding are appreciated. Pay attention to the Are there natural breaks in the performance artists on stage — they will let you know what is where applause seems appropriate? appropriate.
A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE Open your eyes, ears, mind, and heart to the entire experience. Enjoy yourself! Seeing a live performance is a very special experience. Although it is not required, many people enjoy dressing up when they attend the theater. GOING TO THE THEATER information is adapted from the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts study guide materials.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 4 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide CIVIC CENTER FIELD TRIP INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS
Thank you for choosing the Applause Series with Des Moines Performing Arts. Below are tips for organizing a safe and successful field trip to the Civic Center.
ORGANIZING YOUR FIELD TRIP ARRIVAL TO THE CIVIC CENTER Please include all students, teachers, and chaperones When arriving at the Civic Center, please have an in your ticket request. adult lead your group for identification and check-in After you submit your ticket request, you will receive a purposes. You may enter the building though the East confirmation e-mail within five business days. Your or West lobbies; a Des Moines Performing Arts staff invoice will be attached to the confirmation e-mail. member may be stationed outside the building to direct Payment policies and options are located at the top of you. the invoice. Payment (or a purchase order) for your Des Moines Performing Arts staff will usher groups into reservation is due four weeks prior to the date of the the building as quickly as possible. Once inside, you performance. will be directed to the check-in area. The Civic Center reserves the right to cancel unpaid Applause seating is not ticketed. Ushers will escort reservations after the payment due date. groups to their seats; various seating factors including Tickets are not printed for Applause Series shows. group size, grade levels, arrival time, and special Your invoice will serve as the reservation confirmation needs seating requests may be used to assign a for your group order. group’s specific location in the hall. Schedule buses to arrive in downtown Des Moines at We request that an adult lead the group into the least 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance. theater and other adults position themselves This will allow time to park, walk to the Civic Center, throughout the group; we request this arrangement and be seated in the theater. for supervision purposes, especially in the event that a group must be seated in multiple rows. Performances are approximately 60 minutes unless otherwise noted on the website and printed materials. Please allow ushers to seat your entire group before rearranging seat locations and taking groups to the All school groups with reservations to the show will restroom. receive an e-mail notification when the study guide is posted. Please note that study guides are only printed As a reminder, children under the age of three are not and mailed upon request. permitted in the theater for Applause performances.
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING IN THE THEATER Directions: From I-235, take Exit 8A (Downtown Exits) In case of a medical emergency, please notify the nearest usher. A medical assistant is on duty for all and the ramp toward 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue. Turn Main Hall performances. onto 3rd Street and head south. We ask that adults handle any disruptive behavior in Police officers are stationed at the corner of 3rd and their groups. If the behavior persists, an usher may Locust Streets and will direct buses to parking areas request your group to exit the theater. with hooded meters near the Civic Center. Groups traveling in personal vehicles are responsible for Following the performance groups may exit the theater locating their own parking in ramps or metered (non- and proceed to the their bus(es). hooded) spots downtown. If an item is lost at the Civic Center, please see an Buses will remain parked for the duration of the show. usher or contact us after the performance at At the conclusion, bus drivers must be available to 515.246.2355. move their bus if necessary, even if their students are staying at the Civic Center to eat lunch or take a tour. QUESTIONS? Buses are not generally permitted to drop off or pick up Please contact the Education department at students near the Civic Center. If a bus must return to [email protected] school during the performance, prior arrangements or 515.246.2355 must be made with Des Moines Performing Arts Thank you! Education staff.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 5 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide VOCABULARY Photo by Margo Gesser Margo Gesser by Photo
ART & THEATER TERMS crocus: a telephone: a small plant device used choreography: the art of planning that blooms to send and arranging movements, steps in early sound over spring with Refabulousyou.com long and patterns. Www.geocaching.com We often one colorful distances. think only of flower. dancers, but gardener: a tightrope: a thick puppeteers in person who rope or wire theater must takes care of stretched tight and choreograph plants or high above the Puppetry in Disney’s grass. ground. their Ac-underfloorheating.co.uk movements The Lion King must be choreographed as well. carefully. mountain: Austin.culturemap.com Floridamemory.com a land mass that is very toy house: a very puppetry: an art tall with small, toy version form in which steep sides, of a house. objects, often with much larger Dreamatico.com human or animal than a hill. characteristics, are brought to life sailboat: a boat Www.singerdesign.com by puppeteers. pushed by wind Photo by Michael Venn blowing against trapeze: a rope its sails. swing with a bar SHOW TERMS hung high above the ground. circus: a Trgprints.wordpress.com traveling show stream: a Upload.wikimedia.org with small, flowing clowns, body of water, trout: a trained such as a spotted fish
Eatdrinkplay.events animals brook or a usually living and creek. Commons.wikimedia.org in fresh acrobats. Inlightimes.com water.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 6 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE Photo by Margo Ellen Gesser. Gesser. Ellen Margo by Photo
PICTURED ABOVE: Struan Robertson, senior Mermaid Theatre’s classic PUPPETRY workshop instructor for Institute of Puppetry Arts production, Goodnight Moon and at Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. Shown with Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia his “bunnies in progress”. The Runaway Bunny uses creates all of their puppets by whimsical puppetry and hand. They do not typically NARRATION evocative original music to bring construct “traditional” puppet As with all Mermaid Theatre’s these two classic bedtime tales to styles, such as rod, hand, adaptations of classic children’s life. shadow, marionette, mouth and picture books, the stories are told body puppets, but all of those through pre-recorded narration. Run Time: Approx. 60 minutes styles of puppetry have been in- For this show Deborah Allen will corporated into their shows over provide the narration of Margaret the years. Instead, the company Wise Brown’s text of the two THE STORIES constructs their puppets to make stories. In Goodnight Moon, a young sure that the puppets first look like rabbit goes through a bedtime the objects in the books. The ritual of saying goodnight to every performance of Goodnight Moon MUSIC object in sight and in his and The Runaway Bunny employs Goodnight Moon & The Runaway imagination, from the pictures on a variety of styles of puppetry, Bunny features an original the walls to the brush and comb, including rod and table puppets to musical score composed by to the moon and stars, to “the old tell the two stories. Amazingly, all Steven Naylor, Mermaid Theatre’s lady whispering ‘hush’”. The text of the puppets and scenic Artistic Advisor for Music and is written in the form of a rhyming elements are manipulated by just Sound Design. poem. three puppeteers! A “NON-SHUSHING” In The Runaway Bunny, a young bunny tells his mother he wants to SHOW run away. “’If you run away,’ says Mermaid Theatre productions are his mother, ‘I will run after you.’” “non-shushing” shows. Students And so begins an imaginary game are encouraged to clap and laugh of chase. Whatever the little when they see something that bunny declares he will change pleases them. They may also help himself into—a fish, a rock, a bird, tell the story along with the a boat, etc.—his mother replies narration. that she, too, will change herself Etiquette take-away: Noises that so that she can always keep her help tell the story are okay. Side little bunny safe and protected. ABOVE: Puppeteers Hilary Adams and Jonny conversations are not. Thompson manipulate the Mother Bunny and Little Bunny puppets in the story The Runaway Bunny.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 7 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide ABOUT MERMAID THEATRE OF NOVA SCOTIA Photo by Michael Venn Venn Michael by Photo
ABOVE: Sylvia Bell, Michael Venn, Jim Morrow (Artistic Director), Hilary Adams, Jonny Now in its forty-third season, IN NOVA SCOTIA Thompson of Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia Mermaid Theatre is from Nova ranks among North America’s Scotia, Canada. They provide most respected creators of young important educational outreach audience entertainment. Nearly throughout Nova Scotia, through four million young people around school visits and their Institute of the world have delighted in Puppetry Arts based in Windsor, Mermaid’s unique adaptations of Nova Scotia. children’s literature. AMBASSADOR ROLE
Extensive international Mermaidtheatre.ca LITERATURE & THE engagements allow the ARTS company to play an important Mermaid Theatre believes that ambassadorial role for the young people benefit greatly from Province of Nova Scotia and for early exposure to literature, the Canada. Mermaid Theatre has arts, and the power of the represented Canada in Japan, Other productions from imagination. Therefore, Mermaid Mexico, Australia, England, Mermaid Theatre : Theatre’s creative ambition is to Northern Ireland, Holland, produce work which is quality Scotland, Wales, Hong Kong, Guess How Much I Love theatre— entertaining, Macau, Singapore, South Korea, You informative, and stimulating to all Taiwan and Vietnam. the senses— along with the goal Swimmy, Frederick & Inch of encouraging literacy and by Inch generating enthusiasm for the art of reading. With these core values Brown Bear, Brown Bear in mind, the company produces and other Treasured Stories some of the most highly regarded by Eric Carle theater for young audiences around the world. Classic The Very Hungry children’s literature comes to life Caterpillar and other Eric through striking visual images, Carle Favourites evocative original music, innovative puppetry and staging in Stella, Queen of the Snow productions that captivate young Nova Scotia, shown here in red, is located people’s imaginations. on Canada’s southeastern coast. Map courtesy of solarnavigator.net.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 8 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THE ILLUSTRATOR mourningdove23.files.wordpress.com mourningdove23.files.wordpress.com
Every piece of art — a book, a MARGARET WISE ABOVE: An illustration by Clement Hurd from the popular children’s book painting or a performance — is BROWN The Runaway Bunny. created by a person or a group When Margaret Wise Brown of people. Learn about Margaret (1910-1952) began to write for CLEMENT HURD Wise Brown and Clement Hurd, young children, most picture Clement Hurd (1908-1988) was the artists who created the books were written by illustrators, an American illustrator of books that inspired the show. whose training and talents lay children’s books. He is best mainly in the visual arts. Brown known for his collaborations with was the first picture-book author Margaret Wise Brown. He also to achieve recognition as a writer. illustrated a number of books
written by his wife Edith (a friend Brown graduated from Hollins of Brown’s), as well as The World College in 1932 and worked as a is Round, a children’s book written teacher while she studied art. It by Gertrude Stein. was while working at the Bank
Street College of Education in The son of a New York mortgage New York City that she began banker, Hurd was educated at St. writing books for children. She Paul’s School in Concord, New combined her literary aspirations Hampshire, studied architecture at with the study of child Yale University and painting with development. Her unique ability to Fernand Leger in Paris. On Werewolf.co.nz Werewolf.co.nz see the world through a child's seeing two of his paintings, Brown Author Margaret Wise Brown. eyes is unequaled. asked him if he would consider
illustrating children’s books. Her first book was When the Wind Blew in 1937. Brown went on to develop her Here and Now stories and Noisy Book series and later “Quietness is an essential wrote several books for the Little part of all awareness. Golden Book series. Her many In quiet times and sleepy classic books continue to delight times, a child can dwell millions of young listeners and readers year after year. in thoughts of his own, and in songs and stories of his own.”
Www.harpercollinschildrens.com -Margaret Wise Brown Illustrator Clement Hurd.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 9 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide WHAT IS BLACK LIGHT? Photo by Margo Gesser Margo Gesser by Photo
In Goodnight Moon, visual magic GERMS ABOVE: Different items in the room comes from the use of a special Inspectors often use black light to are coated in bright colors, causing them to glow under the black art form called black light see how clean public bathrooms light. The puppeteers, dressed in puppetry. This technique uses and restaurant kitchens really are. black, remain invisible. black light (or ultraviolet light) to cause the puppets, props and Black lights nearby surfaces to glow. The can also be ANTIQUES black light, therefore, controls used to see if An appraiser what the audience can and someone has is someone cannot see. The puppets, props, thoroughly who confirms and nearby surfaces are all washed their that an object coated with colors which are very hands. or piece of bright or florescent. Black light Image courtesy of carolina.com. furniture allows the puppeteers, all of Under black light, invisible stains really is old whom are dressed in black, to in areas missed by a cleaning and not just a remain unseen while their crew glow, allowing them to be modern copy. glowing florescent puppets are seen by the naked eye. Appraisers Image courtesy of ljworld.com fully visible to the human eye. use black FINGER PRINTS light to determine whether something is an antique. Paints Do your made today contain florescent MONEY parents watch chemicals that glow under black any of the CSI The government uses black light light unlike stains or varnishes television to detect counterfeit money used in the past. If an object shows? Then (money not printed by the U.S. glows, it may not be an antique. they’ve seen government.) New money printed how the by the investigators SPACE EXPLORATION government use black light NASA uses black light to contains a to analyze Image courtesy of dreamstime.com. detect possible cracks or leaks in florescent crime scenes. By its shuttles and telescopes. strip that dusting a surface with special glows under florescent powder, fingerprints ultraviolet stand out from other dirt under light. black light. This can provide Image courtesy of blacklightworld.com. important clues to help solve the crime!
‘What is Black Light’ adapted from John Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean Thru the Stage Door study guide materials. Image courtesy of boston.com.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 10 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide ALL ABOUT BUNNIES
Bunnies are featured in both HABITAT stories in the show. Learn more
More than half of the world’s about these furry creatures! rabbit population lives in North America. Rabbit habitats include BUNNY BASICS meadows, woods, forests, Rabbits are ground-dwelling grasslands, deserts and wetlands. mammals that live in They live in groups and often live environments ranging from desert in underground burrows, or rabbit to wetland. They have long ears holes. A group of burrows is that allow them to hear very well called a warren. watership-down-under.wikispaces.com and detect predators. In addition A group of underground burrows made by rabbits is called a warren. to their prominent ears, which can Domestic rabbits can be kept as measure more than 4 inches long, pets in a back yard hutch, rabbits have long, powerful hind indoors in a cage, or house legs and a short tail. Fur is most trained to have free roam. Some DID YOU KNOW? commonly long and soft, with pet rabbits live in outside hutches colors such as shades of during the day for the benefit of Rabbits are not rodents but fresh air and natural daylight and brown,gray, buff and white. belong to their own order are brought inside at night. called lagomorphs.
Baby bunnies are commonly referred to as “kittens”.
A rabbit’s teeth never stop growing.
Female rabbits are called A nest of baby bunnies. “does” and male rabbits Image courtesy of dreamstime.com. are called “bucks”.
Rabbits are most active in the early morning and evening.
Rabbits can grind their Rabbit.org teeth, making a “purr” FOOD sound. Rabbits in the wild are herbivores that feed by grazing on grass and Rabbits only sweat on the leafy weeds. A pet rabbit’s diet pads of their feet. should be made up of good
Animalwonder.com Animalwonder.com quality pellets, fresh hay (timothy Pet rabbits tend to live to Albino rabbits, also known as “red or other grass hays), oat hay, be older than wild eye white” (REW) rabbits have a hard water and fresh vegetables. rabbits. time living in the wild due to their Anything beyond that is a “treat” and should be given in limited white coats. They are also very The world’s heaviest rabbit sensitive to sunlight, which makes it quantities. Carrots and lettuce weighed 50 pounds! difficult for them to live outdoors. should be given in moderation. Look for REW rabbits while you read The Runaway Bunny!
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 11 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide PRE-SHOW EXPLORATION
1) PREPARE FOR THE JOURNEY 2) DESIGN A BEDROOM
Goal: To prepare young students for what may be Goal: To imagine and design a bedroom. their very first performance experience. Explanation: Students will design and draw a Explanation: In this activity, lead a class discussion bedroom with detailed items in it, much like in the that a) accesses students’ prior knowledge of story Goodnight Moon. performances and b) prepares them for what to expect when they visit the theater to see Goodnight Materials: Moon & The Runaway Bunny. Pencils/Markers/crayons/paint Drawing or construction paper Activity: 1. Ask students about their experiences with Activity: performance (watching older siblings in a school play, 1. Introduce activity by asking students what they like going to a concert, etc.) about their bedroom. 2. Share the journey with them step by step. Talk 2. Then ask students if they have ever dreamed of about: changing their room. What are some of the things you Going into a special ‘theater’ space. would like to have in your bedroom? What would you Being an ‘audience’. They are a very important change if given the opportunity? part of the performance. The actors need them. 3. Ask students to define what a bedroom is. From What is the job of the audience? To look and the class definitions, create a list of “requirements” for listen. What is going to happen? They will be a bedroom (a floor, walls, windows, a bed, pillows?). watching ‘actors’ tell a story with puppets, Maybe discuss how for some, bedrooms may be movement, and music. shared spaces with siblings and others might have A performance usually finishes with clapping. their own room. 4. Students begin independent work by choosing Follow-up Questions: what things they might like to have in their room, what 1. Why do you think going to a performance is color it would be, is it their own space or a shared special experience? space, etc. 2. Why is it important to look and listen during a 5. Finally, students present their drawings to the class performance? or a small group. 6. To go deeper, you could then have students write their own version of ‘Goodnight Moon’ and give it their own unique name, such as ‘Goodnight Radio’, etc.
Follow-Up Questions: 1. What are your favorite things about your “new” room? 2. Why did you make some of the choices you made for your room? 3. Is there anything from your actual room at home that you chose to keep in your make-believe room? Why?
Frozentropics.blogspot.com
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 12 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide PRE-SHOW EXPLORATION, pg. 2 http://themarlowebookshelf.blogspot.com/ http://themarlowebookshelf.blogspot.com/
3) WRITING WITH DESCRIPTIVE 4) CREATE YOUR OWN STORY LANGUAGE Goal: To encourage students to use their imaginations and practice creative writing. Goal: To explore descriptive language. Explanation: In this activity, students will create their Explanation: In this activity, students will review the own version of Goodnight Moon. language in The Runaway Bunny and create a class book that uses descriptive language. Activity: 1. Read Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon as Activity: a class. 1. Read The Runaway Bunny as a class. 2. Ask your students for some ideas about things or 2. Explore such “hide-and-seek” lines in the book as: people they would like to say ‘goodnight’ to. It could “If you are a gardener and find me….I will be a bird be anyone or anything– a real person, a storybook and fly away from you.”….”If you become a bird and character, a favorite toy, different foods. Encourage fly away from me, I will be a tree that you come home your students to stretch their imaginations. to” 3. Then, ask students to write a story about saying 3. Have the students imagine something that they goodnight to those things/people if they are . could “become” and the response from their parent/ 4. Have the students revise a final draft and create loved one/teacher. Invite students to explore how illustrations for their story. descriptive language paints a picture in the mind of 5. Staple or sew pages together to create booklets, if the reader. The more descriptive the better! time allows. An example might be: 6. Encourage students to create book covers, title child: “I will be an eagle, soaring through the pages, and a dedication if they so desire. sky…” Parent: “ Then I will be the eagle’s wings guiding you through the air.” Follow-up Questions: 1. How is your story like Margaret Wise Brown’s? 6. Make a class book . Each student will contribute How is it different? one page and write a descriptive sentence and 2. What challenges did you face as you created your “response”. Have them illustrate their page. story? 3. What was your favorite part about creating your Follow-Up Questions: story? 1. Why do writers use descriptive language? Is it easy to imagine what the writer is telling us? 2. How would The Runaway Bunny be different if the author didn’t use descriptive language?
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 13 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide POST-SHOW DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Photo by Margo Ellen Gesser.
COMPREHENSION: MUSIC:
1. Do you remember any of the music from the show? GOODNIGHT MOON If so, what did it sound like? 1. Can you name any of the things the bunny says goodnight to in the story? How many can you think of? PUPPETRY:
2. Do you like going to bed? What do you like or 1. Were you able to see the puppeteers at all during dislike about going to bed? the show? Why or why not?
3. What are some of the things you do to get ready for 2. What did the puppets look like? What kind of colors bed? were they?
4. Who do you say goodnight to before bedtime? 3. How do you think the different puppets were made? 5. Do you read stories before bedtime? What is your favorite story? 4. If you could ask the puppeteers a question, what would it be? 6. Who told the story during the performance? Could (You may email student questions to Mermaid you see this person? Theatre at [email protected]. They are great at responding!) THE RUNAWAY BUNNY 1. Can you name any of the things the bunny says he will become? How many can you name? THEATER EXPERIENCE:
2. If you could change into anything you wanted, what 1. What was your favorite part about our trip to the would you become? Why? theater?
3. Why do you think the little bunny wanted to run 2. How was the performance different than the book? away? How was it the same?
4. Have you ever wanted to run away? Why? 3. Was there anything that surprised you during the performance? 5. What are some of the dangers of running away? 4. What new things did you learn from the puppeteers during the Q&A following the performance?
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 14 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES
1) WRITE A LETTER Letter Starter #2:
Dear Des Moines Performing Arts Donors, Goal: To reflect on the performance experience and to practice writing skills. Thank you for helping my class go to the
Civic Center to see Goodnight Moon & The When: After the performance. Runaway Bunny
My favorite part of the show was… Explanation: After the show, students will write While watching the show I felt… because … letters to the Mermaid Theatre performers or to Des I have drawn a picture of the scene when… Moines Performing Arts donors whose support keeps This experience was special because … Applause tickets accessibly priced for school groups.
3. After writing the letter, students can illustrate a Activity: scene from the performance. 1. After attending the performance, discuss the 4. Last, mail the letters to us and we’ll make sure they experience with your students. Use the following get to the right people. discussion questions to guide the conversation:
Des Moines Performing Arts What was the show about? Attn: Education Department What parts of the show were most exciting? 221 Walnut Street Which character did you enjoy the most? Why? Des Moines, IA 50309 What did the characters find? What did they
learn? Follow-Up Discussion Questions: What was special about the puppets? 1. What did you choose to share in your letter? Why?
2. How does receiving a letter make you feel? 2. Next, invite students to write a letter to the 3. How do you think the recipient of your letter will feel performers or to Des Moines Performing Arts donors. when he or she receives your letter? Why?
4. Why do you think the performers choose to make Letter Starter #1: being a puppeteer their career?
5. Why do you think people give money to help Dear Mermaid Theatre performers, students like you attend performances presented by
Des Moines Performing Arts? My favorite part of the show was… While watching your show I felt… because … I have drawn a picture of the scene when… If I could be in your show, I would play the part of … because …
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 15 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES, pg. 2 Photo by Michael Venn Venn Michael by Photo
2) ACTING OUT A STORY 3) NURSERY RHYME PUPPETRY
Goal: To use drama and imagination to demonstrate Goal: To demonstrate reading comprehension comprehension of a story. through puppetry and performance.
Explanation: Students will re-tell the story of The Explanation: In this activity, students will re-tell a Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown to nursery rhyme using simple puppets. demonstrate their understanding of characters and key events using tableau. Preparation: In Goodnight Moon, there is a prominent picture of the cow jumping over the moon, Tableau: a dramatic convention in which which comes from the c. 1765 English nursery rhyme individuals use their bodies to create a ‘Hey, Diddle Diddle’. In this activity, you will choose a “frozen picture” that expresses actions, nursery rhyme to re-tell using puppetry. It can be locations, feelings or situations. ‘Hey, Diddle Diddle’ or another one you might choose.
Activity: To re-tell using puppetry, scan or photocopy images 1. Read the book aloud to the class. of the characters in each rhyme. Trim away excess 2. As a class, brainstorm the characters in the story paper. Laminate if you so desire. Glue or tape cut- and determine plot. outs to popsicle sticks or paint sticks for students to 3. Break up the story into small segments and assign hold onto. each segment to a group of 3-4 students. 4. Students then create tableau (frozen picture that Activity: tells a story) of their assigned moment in the story. 1. Read the nursery rhyme as a class. Together, students may represent the characters, 2. Discuss the sequence of events. Which character objects, or setting of their assigned moment. acts first? How do the other characters respond? 5. Groups will share their tableau in order. 3. Show students the puppets you have prepared. 6. Once a group is “frozen,” tap students on the 4. As a class or in small groups, allow students to shoulder one at a time. When a student is tapped perform their nursery rhyme with the puppets. You they should “unfreeze” and briefly describe who they may choose to split the class in several small groups are and what they are doing in the scene. and explore various different nursery rhymes. 5. Students may use the puppets to narrate the story Follow-up Questions: in their own words. 1. How would you describe your character/object? 2. What happened at the beginning of the story? In Follow-Up Questions: the middle? At the end? 1. What was challenging about using the puppets? 3. How did you feel when you were depicting your 2. Were any of the puppets in the performance tableau for the class? similar to the ones in our classroom? How were they different?
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 16 of 17 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide RESOURCES AND SOURCES
OTHER BOOKS BY CLASSROOM RESOURCES MARGARET WISE BROWN: (Not a complete listing) Animal Diet Game http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/games/ Bumble Bugs and Elephants* animaldietgame.htm Students can play this online animal diet game to learn about the differences Big Red Barn between herbivores, carnivores and omnivores.
Home For a Bunny A Show of Hands; Using Puppets with Young Children, by Ingrid M. Crepeau and M. Ann Richards. Readleaf Press, 2003.
Little Fur Family Get More Out of Goodnight Moon: http://www.rookiemoms.com/get-more-out-of-goodnight-moon/ My World* See new and interesting things in the story Goodnight Moon!
My World of Color House Rabbit Food Pyramid: http://rabbit.org/articles/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ Rabbit_Food_Pyramid- Sneakers, the Seaside Cat page-001.jpg See what should make up a rabbit’s diet. The Color Kittens Keeping Rabbits as Pets: www.njhrs.com Learn about keeping rabbits as pets at the NJ House Rabbit Society. The Important Book Listen to The Runaway Bunny: The Little Fir Tree www.runawaybunnymusic.com The Runaway Bunny was turned into a concert piece for violin, orchestrated The Moon Shines Down and narrated by composer Glen Roven.
The Sailor Dog Making Puppets Come Alive, by Larry Engler and Carol Fijan. Dover, 1997.
Margaret Wise Brown: www.margaretwisebrown.com Two Little Trains Learn more about Margaret Wise Brown, see photos and view original manu- scripts. OTHER BOOKS Sock Puppets: ILLUSTRATED BY http://www.daniellesplace.com/HTML/puppets.html CLEMENT HURD: Make your own sock puppets! (Not a complete listing)
Bumble Bugs and Elephants* STUDY GUIDE SOURCES
Hurry, Hurry Albino Rabbits. http://www.ehow.com/info_8576797_albino-rabbits.html
Johnny Lion’s Book Clement Hurd. http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/parents/gamesandcontests/features/ Last One Home is a Green Pig goodnightmoon/ch.aspx
House Rabbit Diet. www.rabbit.org My World* Kids Entertainment, Official Website. The Little Brass Band http://kidsentertainment.net/
The Merry Chase Margaret Wise Brown. http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/11849
*written by Margaret Wise Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, Official Website. Brown and Illustrated by http://www.mermaidtheatre.ns.ca/repertory/treasures.shtml Clement Hurd
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 1817 of 1817 Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny Curriculum Guide