DThe LosR AlamosE NatAionalm Bank PocpejoyA SchooltimeTCH SeriesE TeaRching SGuide

The Little Mermaid

Presented by The Panto Company Dreamcatchers Teaching Guides align with the Common Core State Standards and New Mexico Tuesday, MARCH 28, 2017 State Learning Standards. Grades: PreK-5 Grades: Standards Dreams can come true... if we have the courage to Addressed By pursue them.”

Attending the — Walt disney Performance ‘‘ NMCCSS SL.1

New Mexico State Standards Fine Arts/Theatre, Music & Dance Standard 3

SYNOPSIS This new musical follows the dreams of a young mermaid, Arabelle. She loves singing and exploring the world outside the reef, especially collecting objects from the human world with her best friend Sid the Starfish. Her father, King Poseidon, doesn’t like her leaving the safety of her home and forbids her to ever venture to the reef again. But the rebellious Arabelle returns to the reef and then swims even further, to the surface of the ocean, and is seen singing by the human Prince Max, who hasn’t been following his families’ rules either! Max has met many young ladies that his parents would like him to marry, but he wants to marry for love. His father is insisting that if Max does not choose a wife, one will be chosen for him. His father gives Max an ultimatum: either he marries within three days, or he will lose the kingdom to his cousin. The Sea Witch Morgana sees Max and Arabelle meet, and sees an opportunity to get something she wants. She offers Arabelle a deal: she will make Arabelle human in exchange for her voice. As the witch casts her spell, she gives Arabelle a warning – make the prince fall in love with her by midnight of the third day, or she will become a mermaid again and lose her prince forever.

2 The Little Mermaid Teaching Guide Dreamcatchers Arabelle and Max fall in love in the calm or stormy personality. human world, and Max presents Fun Facts for Students • Greek mythology has many tales Arabelle to his father the King, as his Nearly three-quarters of the world is about Triton, who is a merman choice of bride. The King is not pleased covered in water. messenger of the sea. with his son’s choice – she cannot Christopher Columbus mistook • He carries a three-pointed spear speak! Instead he insists that Max manatees for mermaids. called a Trident (tri means three) marry Vanessa (Morgana in disguise), Starfish are not actually fish at all! • It is said that Poseidon had long a mysterious newcomer to the realm. They do not have gills, scales, or fins blue hair, a beard, and drives But Sid, Arabelle’s faithful Starfish, like fish do, and they move more like around in a golden cart called a millipedes with hundred of little “legs” chariot. has followed Arabelle to land and across the sea floor. discovered the truth. It’s a race against • Every Greek God or Goddess had a city to protect, and Poseidon’s time as Sid and Arabelle must convince • There are over 2,000 different starfish species living in different city was Atlantis. everyone under Vanessa’s spell that she oceans around the world. The Babylonians believed that there is an imposter! • They can regenerate a lost arm, was a “fish god” that had a beard and Sid is finally able to break the spell just but it takes about a year for it to wore a crown atop his head. His lower before Max and Vanessa are married. grow back. body was made up of fins covered in scales. Arabelle regains her voice and Sid is • They do not have blood, but determined to reform Morgana and seawater pumps through their Although there are historical claims tubes. of people seeing mermaids, scientists become friends with her. The show believe that people really saw ends with the parents and their children • They have eyes – one at the end of human-sized narwhals, manatees, and working things out and the kingdom each arm! dugongs. celebrating the wedding of Prince Max Poseidon is the God of the sea in the The famous Starbucks symbol is a and Arabelle. Greek Pantheon and can have either a mermaid. The founders of Starbucks

3 The Little Mermaid Teaching Guide Dreamcatchers About the Author of the Original Tale

Hans Christian Andersen was born in Denmark, April 2, 1805. The Little Mermaid is not his only fairy tale that has been adapted. Other stories you might have heard include The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina, and The Emperor’s New Clothes. Andersen pursued writing at school in Copenhagen, Denmark, but his teachers discouraged him from continuing because he lacked were looking through a Norse imposter a person who pretends to — the proper Danish grammar and his mythology book and fell in love with be someone else in order to deceive writing style was closer to the spoken a wooden mermaid in the book. The others rest is history! language. linger — remaining present although waning or absent altogether However, Andersen kept writing because it was his passion. He wrote Vocabulary lurking — to be hidden or to be hiding behold — to see with great attention in a secret place stories and plays, and even received attention from the King. He went on brow — the part of the face above the murky — very dark or foggy eyes to publish over 200 stories, and has notorious — to be well known or inspired other famous authors like crimson — a deep and vivid red color famous for something bad Beatrix Potter (Peter Rabbit Tales) and deceive — to make someone believe rebellious — refusing to obey rules or something that is not true A.A. Milne (The Complete Works of authority or to accept normal standards Winnie-the-Pooh). Because Andersen’s disguise— to hide something so that it of behavior or dress. will not be seen or noticed writing style reads like spoken refuse — to not accept something, or language, his writing sounds fresh and dissolve — to mix with a liquid and not do something become part of the liquid inviting today, making it stand out spurt — gush forth in a sudden stream from the outdated and formal writing engaged — promised to be married or jet of authors of the same era. fling to throw or cast away — tremble — move quickly and glance — to take a brief look at involuntarily; to shake

4 The Little Mermaid Teaching Guide Dreamcatchers of these names are from stories and Mermaids films, some are old and some are new. There have been many different Here’s a list of just some of the names beliefs about mermaids around the of mermaids around the world: world. In Ireland, people used to think The Caribbean — Mama Alo that on St. Patrick’s Day old women were turned into mermaids and England — Miranda thrown into the sea. Another idea was France — Udine / Melusina the children of humans and mermaids would find it hard to sleep at night Germany — Nixe and would be haunted by the sound Greece — Artemis of the sea. It was also widely believed that if you looked at a mermaid Holland — Mensje you would have bad luck, but if you Hollywood, CA (USA) — Ariel managed to get a hold of something Java Loro Kidul that belonged to a mermaid, you — would share their magic powers. Lapland — Akriva There are many different names for Russia — Rusalka mermaids throughout the centuries in different parts of the world. Some Scotland — Selkie

5 The Little Mermaid Teaching Guide Dreamcatchers Underwater Archaeology Lesson 1 Turn a corner of the classroom into a shipwreck scene, with sunken treasure and relics from an ancient ship. Then name them and put forth a theory on their possible use. Grades 3-5 Objectives Students will: • create an undersea environment. NMCCSS • bring in an item or picture of something from the human world. L.4, SL.1 • make up a name and use for the item.

New Mexico Materials State Standards • butcher paper or poster board • magic markers, paints, colored pencils, pencil or pen Visual and Performing • glue or glue sticks Arts • scissors Content Standard 3 • notebook paper • magazines and/or pictures from the Internet • items from the dry world (buttons, thimbles, sewing thread on a spool, lipstick, hair brush, etc.) • encourage students to choose some unusual items! Procedures 1. Explain to students that Arabelle it was used. As they gain more number the items on display. loved to collect things from the information sometimes they have a. On one side write what they world of humans even though to change the name or change “know” the item is and what it she did not know what they were. their theory! used for. In the movie, the seagull, Scuttle, 2. Have students use multimedia to b. For the other side instruct them made up names for these things. create an underwater scene. to look at it carefully and, like an For example he said that the 3. When dry, post the artwork in archaeologist (or detective), note fork that she found was called a the classroom. what it is made of, use patterns, “dingle hopper” and was used for 4. Have each student bring in color, material, things stuck to it, straightening hair. Archaeologists an item or two to place on the etc. Using deductive reasoning, are scientists who study the floor and/or a desk or table in have them make up a name and remains of ancient people and the undersea area. It can also use for the item. They will have to their culture. They often don’t be a picture they drew or cut defend their theory to the rest of know what the items they find out of a magazine. Mount it on the scientific community (class). were used for either. They study cardstock or incorporate it into the 7. Younger students may identify the people, environment, and environment. the items in their world and then context of the “find.” Then they use 5. This is an archaeological site! No decide what other things each what they know of similar items in touching until it’s time to explore could be used for. Have them their life, or research possibilities. the items together. make up a name for each item as Then, they name the item or come 6. For older students, number a class or individually. Have the up with an idea or theory about the items. On both sides of the students act out how it would be what it may have been and how notebook paper have them used. Discuss. Modification: Have the teacher or parents bring in items from home, other classrooms (chemistry, biology), other countries, occupational tools, etc. Introduce broken items with pieces missing, a broom handle, garden tool without a handle, etc. Assessment • Quality of participation

6 The Little Mermaid Teaching Guide Dreamcatchers Ocean in a Bottle Lesson 2 (Source: happyhooligans.ca) Grades PreK - 2 Objectives (3 - 5 with modifications) Students will: • create an ocean in a bottle. NMCCSS • observe wave action. RI.3, RI.10 Materials • water • cooking oil (canola or vegetable) • food coloring • large bottles (2-litre pop bottles, a mouthwash bottle with a child-safe lid, etc.) • funnel • jellyfish (a plastic bag and thread) Procedures 1. Fill approximately 1/3 of your with oil. Once filled to the top, occasionally to let the bubbles bottle with water. replace the lid. settle, and then start all over 2. Add several drops of food 5. Tip the bottle upside down again. and watch your ocean come to coloring. 7. If you’re using a bottle that’s life. 3. Have students shake the bottle 6. The more you shake the not child-safe, you might want to to disperse the food coloring. bottle, the bubblier the ocean run a little hot-glue around the 4. Top off the liquid in the bottle becomes. Set your bottle down inside of the bottle lid.

Modifications Add A Jellyfish! 1. Do not use the oil. 2. Students can also learn about the relationship between the direction of the bottle and the movement of the jellyfish. For older kids, ask them questions about why the jellyfish always floats up to the water surface and discuss the differences between a real jellyfish and the one in the bottle.

Grades 3 – 5 Research the different colors of the world’s oceans. Use different color combinations to match these colors. Have the students explain to the class what environmental conditions create their chosen color and where it is found.

Assessment • Quality of participation

7 The Little Mermaid Teaching Guide Dreamcatchers For a list of highly recommended books with Bonus Explorations mermaids go to www.theguardian.com Lessons & Activities Websites Compare and Contrast and see shortened versions of Read the original The Little Mermaid by Hans Play games Questions to Christian Andersen, or discuss the fairy tale as Andersen’s timeless fairy tales. a class. Create a Venn Diagram with the story Film Education offers lessons specific to the Engage & Connect compared to the musical. Are the two more Disney fairy tale. After seeing the show, ask different or more similar? Explain. your students to answer Research a mermaid story from another country Movies these questions: or from books, movies, or plays that have mermaid The Little Mermaid (1989 Disney). Directed Have you ever done type creatures (eg. Harry Potter and the Goblet of something your parents Fire). Report on them. Compare or contrast. Next, by Ron Clements and John Musker. Cast told you not to do? How have students create a mermaid myth of their includes Jodi Benson, Christopher Daniel did you feel afterwards? own. Have students plan out the story carefully Barnes, Rene Auberjonois, Pat Carroll, and before they begin. Have students share their Paddi Edwards. Why do you think Arabelle stories with the class. Illustrate it or have a partner collects objects from “the take that role. The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea human world”? Choose another sea creature from the musical. (2000 Disney). Directed by Jim Kammerud Do you have any friends Have students find out as much as they can about and Brian Smith. Cast includes Jodi Benson, like Sid the Starfish? How it. Look in reference books, on the Internet etc. Ask Samuel E. Wright, Tara Strong, Pat Carroll, is your friend like him? students to create a fact file on your sea creature. Buddy Hackett, and Kenneth Mars. Do you believe in love at Next, create a character for your creature – tell first sight? Why or why students to make it as funny and interesting as not? possible. Is it a girl or boy? Young or old? Have students give it a personality and a name and About the Company Would you trade your draw a picture of their creature. voice for anything? If so, what and why? What Sign Me A Story could be the gifts or the It was very difficult for Arabelle to communicate consequences? when she didn’t have a voice. Have students play Why does Arabelle make a game of charades. Then introduce them to the deal with Morgana? how the deaf communicate with sign language. Should she trust her? Explain how sign language, math, and music are universal languages. Go to the free link for the Sign Who do you think is the Me A Story adventure series. There are animated hero of the story? Why do characters and pop-up videos for easy learning you think so? of signs, while also learning that it is okay to be Have you ever been to different. Founded by Matt Lee-Aliston in the UK, the the ocean? What was your Panto Company started with pantomime favorite experience? Resources tours for schools and clubs, aiming to restore Books magic to children’s theater and return high production values to the pantomime genre. Popular fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen: As the company’s audience and geography • The Little Mermaid grew, its repertoire also expanded to include • Sleeping Beauty other genres, with a focus on childhood • The Emperor’s New Clothes issues through dance and contemporary • The Princess and the Pea • The Snow Queen songs. Learn more about The Panto • Thumbelina Company by visiting their website.

8 The Little Mermaid Teaching Guide Dreamcatchers •••••••••••• P O P EJOY Schooltime SERIES

The Schooltime Series is a proud member of About the Schooltime Series The Los Alamos National Bank Popejoy Schooltime Series brings you national and international touring companies and performers you can’t see anywhere else in or around Albuquerque. Each touring company is selected with youth and family audiences in mind, and our repertoire reflects the cultural diversity of our global community. The Schooltime Series includes new plays, familiar The LANB Popejoy Schooltime stories, literary works, biographies, mythologies, folk tales, music, dance, Series is supported in part by and puppetry. These professional performing artists create educational awards from: experiences designed to encourage literacy, creativity, communication, and The Eugene and Marion imagination. Castiglia Popejoy Children’s Send an email with your name and email address to schooltime@ Schooltime Endowment popejoypresents.com requesting to be added to the mailing and monthly The Popejoy Schooltime newsletter list. Visit us at schooltimeseries.com and facebook.com/ Education Endowment schooltimeseries. Popejoy Hall Popejoy Hall is New Mexico’s premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. Our mission is to provide access to the performing arts for all New Mexicans. Etiquette The inside of a theatre is called a “house” and to get along, have fun, and enjoy the shows, there are rules to follow. Schooltime provides a wonderful opportunity to learn how good behavior in a live theater is different from watching television at home. For guidelines to practice with your class and chaperones go to schooltimeseries.com/house-policies. House Policies Please visit our website for detailed information about House Policies. This includes our guidelines on safety, special needs, food and drink, backpacks, cell phones, photography, recordings, and more. Credits Dreamcatchers are Teaching Guides produced by the Education Department of Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Selected Dreamcatchers Teaching Guide materials provided by The Panto Company, Film Education, Marine Life Education, Notable Biographies, Vocabulary.com, and other resources noted within this guide.

The University of New Mexico The Los Alamos National Bank Popejoy Schooltime Series is a program of The University of New Mexico.