The Frog Prince

Book and Lyrics by Douglas S. Jones. Music by Ron Barnett based on the classic tale by The Brothers Grimm

Audience: Students in Kindergarten to 5th grades

Virginia Standards of Learning:

English: : K.1a, K.1b, K.1c, K.1d, K.2a, K.2c, K.2d, K.2e, K.2g, K.3c, K.3h, K.4b, 1.1a, 1.1c, 1.1d, 1.1e, 1.2a, 1.2b, 1.2d, 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.3c, 1.2e, 1.4a, 2.1b, 2.1c, 2.1d, 2.2a, 2.2b, 2.2c, 2.2e, 2.3d, 3.1a, 3.1c, 3.2a, 3.2b, 3.2d, 4.1, 4.1c, 4.1d, 4.1f, 4.2, 4.2d, 4.3, 4.3a, 4.3b, 4.4a, 4.4d, 4.4e, 5.1, 5.1a, 5.1c, 5.2a, 5.2c, 5.2d, 5.3

Additional Resources: hen a spoiled but lonely princess drops her golden ball into a wishing well, a noble frog retrieves it Fairy Tales by the Grimm Brothers This web edition of tales from the Grimm Win exchange for her promise of friendship. The Brothers features German and English princess breaks her promise, and must face the music - in versions of the fairy tales, along with a the process learning a valuable lesson about true friendship. selection of illustrations from editions in the public domain. In the end, the narrator tells us, “I’m not going to tell you http://germanstories.vcu.edu/grimm/ they got married and lived happily ever after -- because grimm_menu.html maybe they didn’t. Maybe they wound up not liking each other at all. But if you don’t Frankly, I Never Wanted to Kiss want to be alone forever, you Anybody! The Story of the Frog Prince Genre: Fairy Tale as Told by the Frog (The Other Side of have to start somewhere.” This the Story) colorful, humorous adaptation The Frog Prince is a fairy tale. by Nancy Loewen; Illustrated by Denis of the classic fairy tale was Fairy tales are types of folk tales Alonso first recorded by the Brothers Picture Window Books, 2013 that usually include some of the Grimm. Virginia Repertory following elements: The Frog Prince, Continued Theatre’s beautiful production • Magic by Jon Scieszka of The Frog Prince showcases Puffin Books, 1994 an amphibian ensemble • Fantastical creatures (fairies, The Frog Prince: Or Iron Henry created by internationally witches, etc.) by Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, Christian acclaimed puppet master Hager, Naomi Lewis Terry Snyder. • Imaginary settings North-South Books, Inc., 2013 • Happy endings

In The Frog Prince, Princess Irena learns some important lessons about the true meaning of Happily Ever After: friendship, and the importance of keeping Creative Endings promises. At the end of the play, the King, Princess, Prince, and Henry sing:

What are 3 reasons you think a person should A promise is keep his or her promises? A promise is A promise is 1. ______A promise. Careful how you make them. 2. ______Careful how you break them.

3. ______If you’re crabby, make amends.

Sometimes the way the story ends What are 3 things that you think make a good friend? Depends on how You treat your friends. ______1. Depends on how You treat your friends. 2. ______Imagine how the story of The Frog ______Prince could end. With your class, 3. brainstorm some creative endings for this tale.

In the story, Iron Henry says, “Have you ever wished on a star? Or blowing out the candles -- or breaking a wishbone? People say, make Did you know... a wish. Make a wish. And you close your eyes tight....” ... that it is common for things to happen in threes in a fairy tale? If you could have 3 wishes, what would they be? It’s true. Whether it is three wishes or three encounters, this pattern 1. ______often occurs in fairy tales. For example, Cinderella is granted 2. ______three wishes, Goldilocks meets three bears, and Jack steals three items from the Giant in Jack & the ______3. Beanstalk. Can you think of others?

Frog Characteristics and Life Cycle

Using the K-W-L chart below, record what you Know about frogs, and what you Wonder about them. Then conduct some frog research, and record what you Learn about frog characteristics. Bonus: Label some of the life cycle stages on the picture to the right. Know Wonder Learned

Journal and Discussion

The beginning of The Frog Song in The Frog Prince goes, “Why is it what you look at isn’t ever what you see?”

1. What do you think the frog meant by that? ______

______

2. Have you ever noticed when something was different than it first appeared? ______

______

Frogs and Toads

Classify the following characteristics according to whether each is a trait of a frog, a toad, or both:

amphibian Frogs Toads diet includes insects

live in or near water lay eggs in “chains”

dry bumpy skin webbed hind feet

bulging eyes lay eggs in clusters

shorter hind legs

Virginia Repertory Theatre 114 W. Broad St. Richmond, Virginia 23220 Many people with different skills and talents work together virginiarep.org to make a production such as The Frog Prince come to life. (804) 282-2620 Can you match these theater jobs with their descriptions? [email protected] a person who plays a role or set designer character in stage plays, motion Virginia Rep Presents... pictures, television broadcasts, etc. The Frog Prince a person who creates the look Book and Lyrics by Douglas S. Jones. of each character by designing Music by Ron Barnett, playwright clothes and accessories the actors based on the classic tale by The will wear in performance. Brothers Grimm

Virginia Repertory Theatre this person’s job is to pull together Bruce C. Miller, Artistic Director all the pieces and parts of a play Phil Whiteway, Managing Director stage manager – the script, actors, set, costumes, lighting and sound, and music to This study guide and the text contained create a production. therein are the property of Virginia Repertory Theatre. Photocopying of the this job focuses on using light to study guide is permitted. Any other use of create effects that match the the contents must be accompanied by actor mood of various scenes in a the phrase, “Text used with permission from performance. Virginia Repertory Theatre, Richmond, VA.”

© Virginia Repertory Theatre, 2016 this person is a writer of scripts for plays. The script tells a story through costume designer Theater Etiquette the actions and words of the characters. Clap, but know when to do so. You should clap after a play, act, or song, or right before intermission. If this person creates the physical surroundings of a play, including you loved the show, you can give a lighting designer “standing ovation” at the end. That’s any scenery, furniture, or props when you stand up while applauding. used throughout the play.

It’s quiet time (sort of). If the play makes you laugh or cry, this person helps the director that is fine, but you can chat with your and helps organize the actors, friends afterwards. Be respectful and director designers, stage crew, and quiet so the actors can focus on their technicians throughout the roles. Being quiet allows the rest of the production of a play. audience to concentrate on the play.