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STUDY GUIDE

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Project ft »* Knowledge Introduction How to Show Welcome to HBO Project Knowledge. HBO is committed to serving not only Carol Burnett, who also narrates the the Videotape Over the years Home Box Office has its cable audiences but also its larger story. To some children, the story may The running time for "The Tale of Peter received thousands of letters from community. We thank you for your in­ be a warning to obey parents but to Rabbit" is 26 minutes. The tape is viewers interested in using original terest in our efforts and welcome your others, it is about the thrill of adventure. suitable for viewing in its entirety at HBO programming in educational set­ opinions and suggestions on HBO one showing. You may wish to stop tings. Through HBO Project Knowl­ Project Knowledge. the tape after Mrs. Rabbit walks off to edge, we are pleased to be able to Goals and the store and ask how the filmmaker make these high-quality programs Synopsis has already shown us that Peter is available to schools, libraries, institu­ Objectives going to ignore her warning. Ask what tions, professional associations and "HBO Storybook Musicals: The Tale of else viewers have noticed so far. community groups. Peter Rabbit" is based on Beatrix Pot­ Goals ter's timeless tale. Mrs. Rabbit warns HBO Project Knowledge is pleased to The collection includes documentaries, her children—Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton­ make available this musical version of information specials and animated Discussion and tail and Peter—to stay out of Mr. Mc­ a celebrated children's classic. The en­ children's programs, many of which Activities Gregor's garden. But the adventurous richment of visual and sound imagery are multiple award-winners. Peter disobeys and heads straight for and original song makes this musical Suggested Previewing Activities Each program in the HBO Project trouble. While the good little bunnies an ideal motivational tool for using lit­ • Literature Knowledge collection is accompanied pick blackberries, Peter stuffs himself erature as a means to develop basic by a carefully researched study guide. with beans, lettuce and radishes. When concepts, skills and values. Many children already know the The guides contain reproducible mate­ Mr. McGregor sights Peter and chases story of Peter Rabbit from various rial for handouts as well as ideas for him, it seems hopeless to Peter until Objectives available versions. If they are already sparrows show him the way out of the familiar with the story, you can ask discussion and further study in both • To recognize the pattern of warnings informal and formal educational settings. garden. All of the songs are sung by them to list words which might de­ given and ignored as a part of many scribe the character of Peter. Give a folktales and stories. reason for your word choice: brave • To explore the setting, plot and because he dared to go into the gar­ characterization in the story. den, etc. If they are not familiar with For purchasing information about "" or a catalog of HBO • To relate the concepts of being the story, you might read aloud the Project Knowledge titles, please contact: scared but becoming brave to a first 19 pages of the original Beatrix child's own life. Potter version (see bibliography) and Ambrose Video Publishing • To observe rabbits and develop a proceed from there. Or you can save 1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 22-45 descriptive vocabulary of their this activity for after viewing. New York, NY 10104 habits. • Story Structure 1-800-526-4663 Like many stories, this one has a This study guide may be reproduced for educational use. Ages warning in it. Discuss what a warn­ ing is. What usually happens in a This study guide was written by Susan Hepler, Ph.D. for KIDSNET, the computer­ This program is especially recommend­ story when someone is warned not ized clearing house for information on children's audio, video, radio and television ed for children ages three to nine. to do something? Listen for other in Washington, D. C. warnings in this story. Macintosh Production: Natalie Kelly Supervising Editor: Virginia McEnerney, Manager, HBO Project Knowledge Do you think this story has a moral or message? What could it be? © 1991 Home Box Office, Inc. All rights reserved. HBO Project Knowledge, 1100 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036 X O PS bfl B PS oS c« CD cS "p>» <50 .tn -4—1 D s <« ° PS CD X 4= ° £ PS HH 8 » B ^ o ^ O *-> o CD r2 ca CD ft « 22 •i-> 5/2 rB o £ <-> rg • H 4B ° B fn X3 .5 Q PS T3 I/3 PS £P3 s(D * 1 ^ "PH *^ --#B -H JH ^H -!-> PS PS J CUHO .B P3 cd (50 "^ * s s o _ •S -^ >~. CD O

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Suggested Post-Viewing Activities 2. The story says that it was the "HBO Storybook Musicals: The Tale of Selected children's books about being Peter Rabbit" is based on Beatrix Pot­ scared but becoming brave: • Seeing patterns second time Peter had lost his jacket and shoes. Tell your own ter's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit Like many characters in stories, story about how Peter came to (1900), available from Frederick Warne Brave Irene by William Steig. Farrar Peter ignores good advice and gets lose his clothes the first time. & Co. Other related titles by Beatrix Straus Giroux, 1986. (K-3) into trouble. Ask children to think Share your story with others. Potter also available from Warne are: about other stories they know in The Ghost-Eye Tree by Bill Martin, Jr. The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (1904) which a character ignores or forgets 3. Pretend you are Peter and write and John Archambault, illustrated by about the adventure you have a warning and gets into trouble. The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies (1909) Ted Rand. Henry Holt, 1985. (PreS-3) Make a list. For example: just had. How did you feel? When were you most worried? How did Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber. Selected children's books about char­ Little Red Riding Hood: Ignores you feel when you finally came Houghton Mifflin, 1972. (PreS-3) acters who ignore warnings include: her mother's warning not to stray home? Will you run away again? from the path. Julian's Glorious Summer by Ann The Crane Wife by Sumiko Yagawa, • Science Cameron,' illustrated by Dora Leder. Pandora: Ignores Zeus's warning translated by Katherine Paterson, illus­ Random House, 1987. (2-4) not to open the box. 1. Rabbits eat a variety of vegeta­ trated by Suekichi Akaba. Morrow, bles. Recall information from the 1981.(1-4) Cinderella: Forgets to listen for the film or find out more about rabbit Left Behind by Carol Carrick, illustrat­ clock striking midnight. food. Draw or use a garden cata­ Do Not Open by Brinton Turkle. Dut- ed by Donald Carrick. Clarion, 1988. (1-4) Icarus: Ignores his father's warning log and cut out typical rabbit food ton, 1981. (K-3) for a display. not to fly too near to the sun. Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood, illus­ The Little Old Lady Who Was Not trated by Don Wood. Harcourt Brace 2. Observe a real rabbit by inviting Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, After you have completed the list, add Jovanovich, 1987. (PreS-3) a pet store owner, a farmer, or illustrated by Megan Lloyd. Crowell, to it over a few days' time. When you someone who has a pet rabbit to Little Red Riding Hood by Trina Schart 1986. (PreS-2) are finished, discuss why so many bring the rabbit to class. Describe Hyman. Holiday House, I983. (PreS-3) people in stories seem to disobey warn­ and discuss how the rabbit eats, Storm in the Night by Mary Stolz, ings. Why do you think authors like to sits, rests, explores, moves. Why Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola. Pren­ illustrated by Pat Cummings. Harper, write about disobedient characters? are the words from the story, tice-Hall, 1975. (PreS-3) 1988. (K-3) "Uppity Uppity," a good way to • Writing describe a rabbit's movements? The Talking Eggs by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Other HBO Storybook Musicals 1. Peter Rabbit was frightened sev­ 3. Visit a library and find nonfiction Dial, 1989. (K-4) available through Ambrose Video eral times in the story. Review the books about rabbits. What else Publishing include: parts in which Peter's confidence can you learn about real rabbits? Wings by Jane Yolen, illustrated by wavered or he was scared. In each Dennis Nolan. Harcourt Brace Jo­ "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: The Musical" case, what helped Peter be brave? vanovich, 1991. (2 and up) Recall a time when you were "Madeline: The Musical" scared but later became brave. "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel: What or who helped you to be The Musical" courageous? Draw a picture of that time and write about "Being Scared but Becoming Brave." :

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