GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU - Applause Series Curriculum Guide March 26, 2018 - Des Moines Performing Arts
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Margo Ellen Gesser
GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU
Applause Series Curriculum Guide
March 26, 2018
GUIDE CONTENTS
Dear Teachers,
About the Applause Series
Thank you for joining us for the return Applause Series Page 3
presentation of Guess How Much I Love You and I Love My
Little Storybook. Of the many companies that present work for Going to the Theater and
young audiences, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia is one of Theater Etiquette
our favorites. Their ability to lift the work of classic children’s Page 4
authors and illustrators off the page and onto the stage is
nothing short of exquisite. This sweet double bill brings Civic Center Field Trip
illustrator Anita Jeram’s lovable rabbits to the stage — Information for Teachers
unfolding a touching story of the love between a father rabbit Page 5
and his son, as well as an imaginative story that celebrates
the wonderful world of books. Vocabulary
Page 6
We hope that this study guide helps you
connect the performance to your classroom About the Performance
curriculum in ways that you find valuable. In Page 7
the following pages, you will find contextual
information about the performance and About Mermaid Theatre
related subjects, as well as a wide variety of of Nova Scotia
discussion questions and activities. As such,
Photo by Margo Ellen Gesser
Page 8
we hope that you are able to “pick and
choose” material and ideas from the study About the Authors and Illustrator
guide to meet your class’s unique needs. Page 9
See you at the theater, All About Rabbits
Page 10
Des Moines Performing Arts
Education Team Pre-Show Exploration
Page 11
Post-show Discussion
and Assessment
Pages 12-13
Support for Des Moines Performing Arts education programs and the Reproducible
Applause Series is provided by: Pages 14
American Enterprise Group, Arts Midwest, Bradford and Sally Austin, Bravo Resources and Sources
Greater Des Moines, Clive Community Foundation, EMC Insurance Companies,
DuPont Pioneer, Ernest and Florence Sargent Family Foundation, Gannett
Foundation/The Des Moines Register, Hy-Vee, Inc., Iowa Department of Cultural
Affairs, John Deere, Judith A. Lindquist Scholarship Fund, Richard and Deborah
McConnell, Meredith Corporation Foundation, Nationwide, Polk County, Prairie
Meadows, Principal, U.S. Bank, Union Pacific Foundation, Wells Fargo & Co.,
West Bancorporation Foundation, Windsor Charitable Foundation,
and more than 400 individual donors.
This study guide was compiled and written by Michelle McDonald; edited by Karoline Myers.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 2 of 15
Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum Guide
ABOUT THE APPLAUSE SERIES
TAKE THOUSANDS OF IOWA STUDENTS OUT OF ABOUT DES MOINES
THEIR CLASSROOMS, PLACE THEM IN A THEATER, PERFORMING ARTS
SPRINKLE THE STAGE WITH WORLD-CLASS
PERFORMERS, AND WHAT DO YOU HAVE? A Des Moines Performing Arts is
RECIPE FOR LEARNING THAT REACHES NEW central Iowa’s premier
not-for-profit performing arts
LEVELS OF POSSIBILITY—FOR STUDENTS AND organization.
TEACHERS.
More than 300,000 guests attend
WE CALL IT THE APPLAUSE SERIES. performances and events in our
four venues each year:
Civic Center, 2744 seats
BRINGING ARTS TICKET TO Stoner Theater, 200 seats
EDUCATION TO LIFE IMAGINATION Temple Theater, 299 seats
The Applause Series is a flagship The Applause Series annually Cowles Commons
education program of Des Moines delivers 60 age-appropriate (outdoor plaza)
Performing Arts. Since its launch performances for pre-school to
in 1996, more than a half million high school students. The impact Guests experience a wide variety
students and teachers have stretches far beyond the Des of art forms and cultural activities,
attended school-time Moines metro, reaching schools in with presentations ranging from
performances as part of the over 35 Iowa counties. The Broadway, comedy, professional
series. You are joining us for the theater becomes the classroom. dance, to family programming.
22nd season of school One-hour matinees energize
performances! students to imagine new ways of Des Moines Performing Arts
creative expression, cultural education programs serving more
MAKING A DIFFERENCE diversity and even career than 75,000 Iowans annually.
Each year, more than 55,000 opportunities.
students and teachers attend an Programs for schools, such as
Applause Series performance. BEYOND THE STAGE the Applause Series and teacher
The actual cost per person is $8, For many Applause Series professional development, help
but thanks to the caring performances, we offer the enliven students’ learning. Public
contributions of donors, schools opportunity for schools to go education programs such as
pay just $1 per ticket. By deeper by exploring an art form or master classes, workshops, Q&A
removing the financial barriers to theme that connects with what is sessions and summer camps
participation, donors introduce a seen on stage. Invite a allow audience members and
whole new generation to the professional teaching artist into aspiring artists to make
power of arts in action. That the classroom or visit another meaningful and personal
means stronger schools and cultural destination in Des Moines connections to the art they
communities now and in the to help students make more experience on our stages.
future. meaning of a piece of theater.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 3 of 15
Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum Guide
GOING TO THE THEATER
ATTENDING A LIVE PERFORMANCE IS A UNIQUE THEATER ETIQUETTE
AND EXCITING OPPORTUNITY! UNLIKE THE CHECKLIST
PASSIVE EXPERIENCE OF WATCHING A MOVIE,
AUDIENCE MEMBERS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE Do not bring food, drinks or
IN EVERY LIVE PERFORMANCE. chewing gum into the theater.
The use of cameras and
REMEMBER…. recording devices are not
WHAT ROLE WILL YOU PLAY?
THE THEATER IS permitted.
DESIGNED TO
Turn off and put away cell
MAGNIFY SOUND. phones and other electronics
YOUR ROLE AS AN EVEN WHISPERS before the performance begins.
AUDIENCE MEMBER CAN BE HEARD!
Do not text during the
Artists on stage are very aware of the mood and performance.
level of engagement of the audience. As such, each Respect the theater. Keep your
performance calls for a different response from audience feet off of the seats and avoid
members. bouncing up and down.
As you experience the performance, consider the following questions: When the house lights dim, the
performance is about to begin.
What kind of live performance is this (a musical, dance, or concert)? Please stop talking at this time.
What is the mood of the performance? Is the subject matter serious Talk only before and after the
or lighthearted? performance.
What is the mood of the artists? Are they happy and smiling or Use the restroom before the
somber and reserved? performance or wait until the
end.
Are the artists encouraging the audience to clap to the music, move to
the beat, or participate in some other way? Remember that this is a special
experience. The artists are
Are there natural breaks in the performance where creating something just for you.
applause seems appropriate? Appropriate responses such as
laughing and applauding are
appreciated. Pay attention to
DID YOU KNOW?
the artists — they will let you
ALTHOUGH NOT REQUIRED, SOME know what is appropriate.
PEOPLE ENJOY DRESSING UP WHEN
THEY ATTEND THE THEATER. Open your eyes, ears, mind,
and heart to the entire
experience. Enjoy yourself!
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 4 of 15
Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum Guide
CIVIC CENTER FIELD TRIP INFORMATION
WE WANT YOUR FIELD DIRECTIONS/PARKING ARRIVAL/SEATING
TRIP TO BE SAFE AND
SUCCESSFUL! The Des Moines Civic Center is An usher will greet you at the
located at 221 Walnut Street, door and ask for your school
Des Moines, Iowa. name.
PLEASE READ BELOW
FOR IMPORTANT TIPS Directions from I-235: take Exit Each group will be assigned a
AND DETAILS TO 8A (Downtown Exits) and the specific location in the theater
ramp toward 3rd St and 2nd Ave. based on various factors. An
ENSURE A GREAT DAY. Turn onto 3rd Street and head usher will escort you to your
south. section.
GET ORGANIZED
Police officers stationed at the Your school may be seated in
Double-check that all students, corner of 3rd & Locust Streets multiple rows. Adults should
teachers, and chaperones were will direct buses to reserved position themselves throughout
included in your ticket order. street parking near the Civic the group.
Request an adjustment if your Center.
numbers have increased. We Allow ushers to seat your
want to make sure we have Buses are not allowed to drop entire group before
enough seats for you! groups off in front of the rearranging student seats or
theater. Contact us in advance taking groups to the restroom.
Tickets are not issued. Bring a if there is a special
copy of your invoice, which will circumstance. This helps us seat efficiently
serve as your group’s “ticket”. and better start the show on
Buses remain parked for the time.
Schedule arrival for 30 minutes duration of the show. Drivers
prior to the start of the must be available to move the IN THE THEATER
performance. This allows time bus immediately following the
performance.
to park, cross streets, find your In case of a medical
seats, and go to the restroom. emergency, notify the nearest
Personal vehicles are usher.
Let drivers know that Applause responsible for securing their
own parking on a nearby street
performances are approximately Adults are asked to handle
60 minutes, unless otherwise or in a downtown parking ramp.
any disruptive behavior in their
noted. group. If the behavior
QUESTIONS? persists, an usher may
Remind chaperones that We are happy to help! request your group to exit the
children under the age of three theater.
are not permitted in the theater
Please contact us at:
for Applause Series events.
education@dmpa.org Please wait for your group to be
515.246.2355 dismissed by DMPA staff prior
to exiting the theater.
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Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum Guide
VOCABULARY
Margo Ellen Gesser
ART & THEATER TERMS RABBIT TERMS FROM THE STORIES
illustration: a drawing, picture burrow: a adventure: a
or other type of artwork that helps hole or tunnel very exciting or
make something clear or in the ground very unusual
attractive. Picture books use made by a experience.
illustrations to help tell stories. rabbit for Adventures are
shelter. bioweb.uwlax.edu sometimes rockbrookcamp.com
narrator: a person who tells a Have you ever seen risky or White water rafting
evidence of an can be considered an
story, often as part of a animal burrow while dangerous.
performance or program. exploring outside?
guess: to
puppetry: an hare: a estimate or arrive
mandelman.ml-implode.com
art form in rodent-like at an opinion about
which objects, mammal something without
often with having long
Margo Ellen Gesser
having sufficient
human or ears, divided evidence to support
animal purpleopurple.com
upper lip, and it.
characteristics, long hind legs Have you guessed
A hare in the wild. the number of
are brought to for leaping.
life by Hares are larger than rabbits,
Puppeteers manipulate
two hare puppets to tell puppeteers. having longer ears and legs. fern: a type
the story of Guess How
of plant that
mammal: warm-blooded animals has roots,
that give birth to live young and stems, and
watercolor: are more or less covered in hair. leaves but
technique of Rabbits and hares are examples does not billfrymire.com
painting which of mammals. produce a flower.
uses water
Mindsandvines.com
instead of oil forest: a large
as the base. wooded area
poweranimalsunleashed.com
Illustrator Anita having thick
Jeram used tumblr.com growth of trees
watercolor to and plants.
Watercolor painting.
create her
illustrations. Elephants are another type of mammal.
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Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum Guide
ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE
Margo Ellen Gesser
Mermaid Theatre’s production of I Love My Little Storybook NARRATION
Guess How Much I Love You is This book is an endearing As with all Mermaid Theatre’s
based on two children’s books celebration of the joy of reading. It adaptations of classic children’s
from illustrator Anita Jeram. features a whimsical collection of picture books, the stories are told
Jeram’s beautiful water color animals and imaginary creatures through the use of a narrator who
illustrations are brought to life as an eager little bunny lies on the recites the book’s text verbatim.
through puppetry. grass and opens his book. Within The recorded narration for this
moments, the story he’s reading show is the work of award-
Run Time: Approx. 50 minutes, comes alive in fascinating detail. winning actor Beau Bridges.
with a 10-minute Q&A session.
PUPPETRY MUSIC
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia Guess How Much I Love You
THE STORIES does not typically construct features an original musical score
“traditional” puppet styles. by Steven Naylor, Mermaid
Guess How Much I Love You Instead, the company constructs
In this touching bedtime story Theatre’s Artistic Advisor for
their puppets to make sure that Music and Sound Design.
about the bond between a father the puppets look like the objects
rabbit and his son, Little Nutbrown in the books. In this production,
Hare loves Big Nutbrown Hare as most of the puppets are hand
NON-SHUSHING SHOW
far as he can reach and as high carved from soft sponge foam Mermaid Theatre productions are
as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown using a pair of scissors. The “non-shushing” shows. Students
Hare loves him as far as his long puppets have carved wooden are encouraged to clap and laugh
arms can reach and as high as joints and handles, and are when they see something that
his strong legs can hop. covered in hand-painted silk or pleases them. They may also
soft fabric. help tell the story along with the
Written by Sam McBratney and narration.
charmingly illustrated with The puppetry style of this show is
endearing watercolors by Anita most closely related Japanese Etiquette
Jeram, Guess How Much I Love Bunraku, where the puppeteers take-away...
You was first published in are visible behind the puppet. One Noises that help tell
hardcover in 1995. The book is difference is that the faces of the story are okay.
available in 45 languages and has Bunraku puppeteers are masked Side conversations are
received media praise around the by hoods. In this show, Mermaid not.
world. Theatre performers’ faces are
visible.
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Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum Guide
ABOUT MERMAID THEATRE OF NOVA SCOTIA
Margo Ellen Gesser
Now in its 45th season, IN 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
LITERATURE & THE Extensive international
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,
imagination. Therefore, Mermaid Mexico, Australia, England,
Theatre’s creative ambition is to Northern Ireland, Holland,
produce work which is quality Scotland, Wales, Hong Kong,
theatre— entertaining, Macau, Singapore, South Korea, A tiny rabbit meets a storybook princess
informative, and stimulating to all Taiwan and Vietnam. through the power of imagination in I Love
the senses— along with the goal My Little Storybook.
of encouraging literacy and
generating enthusiasm for the art Other popular productions from
of reading. With these core values Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia:
in mind, the company produces
some of the most highly regarded
Goodnight Moon &
theater for young audiences
around the world. Classic The Runaway Bunny
children’s literature comes to life
through striking visual images, Swimmy, Frederick & Inch by Inch
evocative original music,
innovative puppetry and staging in The Very Hungry Caterpillar
productions that captivate young Nova Scotia, shown here in red, is located
people’s imaginations. on Canada’s southeastern coast. The Rainbow Fish
Map courtesy of solarnavigator.net.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 8 of 15
Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum Guide
ABOUT THE AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATOR
Illustratorslounge.com
ABOVE: An illustration by Anita Jeram from
Every piece of art — a book, a
the award-winning book Guess How Much
painting or a performance — is I Love You.
created by a person or a group
of people. Learn about Sam ANITA JERAM
Picturebookparty.co.uk
McBratney and Anita Jeram, the Anita Jeram was born in
artists who created the books Portsmouth, England, in 1965 and
featured in the show. studied art at Manchester
Polytechnic. She published her
first book for children while she
SAM MCBRATNEY was still a student. She has
Sam McBratney is from Northern written and illustrated many
Ireland. He received a degree in popular and critically acclaimed
history and political science from books for children, including a
Trinity College in Dublin and was number which feature her
a full-time educator. He started enchanting, lovable bunnies.
writing children’s books when he
was a teacher in his thirties, with “I told my children For Anita Jeram, illustrating
a goal to help students who had stories when they Guess How Much I Love You was
trouble reading. He continued a labor of love. Big Nutbrown
writing for a more personal
were young…..so
Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare
reason, saying “the act of when I write I try to grew out of her imagination. A
imagining simply makes me feel think of what they rabbit also figures prominently in I
good.” would have liked.” Love My Little Storybook, her
–Sam McBratney magical tribute to the wonderful
Guess How Much I Love You is world of books, which she also
Sam McBratney’s 57th book. It wrote and illustrated.
sold an astonishing 15 million
copies worldwide and is available “Every time I read this
in 45 different languages. He has book, I want to cry. The
also written many other books for story reminds me so
children, as well as half a dozen much of my own son,
radio plays for adults and a
prize-winning collection of short who often plays this kind
stories. of game with me when
it’s time for bed.”
-Anita Jeram
Azquotes.com
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Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum Guide
ALL ABOUT RABBITS
Rabbits and hares are featured
in both stories in the show. EIGHT FUN FACTS
Learn more about these furry 1) Baby bunnies are commonly
creatures!
watership-down-under.wikispaces.com
called “kittens”.
2) A rabbit’s teeth never stop
WHAT ARE RABBITS? growing.
Rabbits are mammals with long
ears, which can be more than 4 3) Female rabbits are called
inches long, which help them to “does” and male rabbits are
detect predators. They have large, called “bucks”.
powerful hind legs. The fur is most
commonly long and soft, with 4) Rabbits are constantly aware
colors such as shades of brown, A group of underground burrows made by of their surroundings because
rabbits is called a warren. they are prey animals.
gray, and buff. The tail is a little
plume of brownish fur (white on 5) Rabbits are most active in the
top for cottontails). HOMES early morning and evening.
More than half of the world’s
6) Rabbits can grind their teeth,
rabbit population lives in North
making a “purr” sound.
America. Rabbit habitats include
meadows, woods, forests, 7) Rabbits only sweat on the
grasslands, deserts and wetlands. pads of their feet.
They live in groups and often live
in underground burrows, or rabbit 8) The longest rabbit ears ever
holes. A group of burrows is recorded measured over 31
called a warren. inches long!
Domestic
rabbits can be RABBITS vs. HARES
ag.purdue.edu
kept as pets in The most obvious difference
a back yard between rabbits and hares is how
hutch, indoors their babies are born. Rabbits are
in a cage, or born blind and hairless. Hares are
cdc.gov
A cottontail rabbit. house trained born with hair and are able to see.
to have free
roam. Some Hares are generally larger than
pet rabbits Pet rabbits can be rabbits, with longer ears, larger and
live in outside held. Wild rabbits longer hind legs and have black
should not be held. markings on their fur. Hares have
hutches
dreamstime.com
during the not been domesticated, while
day for the benefit of fresh air and European rabbits are kept as pets.
natural daylight and are brought
inside at night. While most rabbits live
underground in burrows or
A nest of baby bunnies.
FOOD warrens, hares live in simple nests
Rabbits in the wild are herbivores above the ground and usually do
that feed by grazing on grass and not live in groups.
leafy weeds. A pet rabbit's diet
typically consists of hay, pellets, “Big Nutbrown Hare
Shopify.com
and a fair quantity of fresh settled Little Nutbrown
vegetables. Hare into his bed of leaves.”
-excerpt from Guess How Much I Love You
Pellets are common food for rabbits.
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Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum GuidePRE-SHOW EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES
1) RETELL THE STORY WITH 2) CREATE A STORYBOOK
PUPPETS
Goal: To encourage students to use their
Goal: To demonstrate reading comprehension imaginations and practice creative writing.
through puppetry and performance.
Explanation: In this activity, students will create a
Explanation: In this activity, students will re-tell story about characters that they would like to meet in
the story of Guess How Much I Love You using the pages of a storybook.
simple puppets.
Activity:
Preparation: Before you begin this activity, 1. Read Anita Jeram’s I Love My Little Storybook as a
prepare simple puppets to represent each character class.
in the story Guess How Much I Love You. 2. Ask your students whom they would like to meet in
the pages of a storybook. It could be anyone – a real
To do so, scan or photocopy a picture of Little person, a favorite cartoon character, someone from
Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare from the book history, a Martian. Encourage your students to stretch
Guess How Much I Love You. Trim away excess their imaginations.
paper. Laminate if you so desire. Glue or tape hare 3. Then, ask students to write a story about what that
cut-outs to popsicle sticks or paint sticks for students meeting might be like and the different things they
to hold onto. might do together.
4. Have the students revise a final draft and create
Activity: illustrations for their story.
1. Read Guess How Much I Love You as a class. 5. Staple or sew pages together to create booklets, if
2. Discuss the sequence of events. Which hare spoke time allows.
first in the story? What did the little hare want the 6. Encourage students to create book covers, title
big hare to do? How did the big hare respond? What pages, and a dedication if they so desire.
happened next?
3. Show students the puppets you have prepared. Follow-up Questions:
4. As a class or in small groups, allow students to 1. How is your story like Anita Jeram’s I Love My Little
perform the story of Guess How Much I Love You Storybook? How is it different?
with the hare puppets. Students may use the hare 2. What challenges did you face as you created your
puppets to narrate the story in their own words. story?
3. What was your favorite part about creating your
Follow-Up Questions: story/storybook?
1. Why did Little Nutbrown Hare express his love in
farther and farther distances? Who would you
2. Why did Big Nutbrown Hare have farther
distances?
meet in the pages
of a storybook?
Additional Questions for After the Show:
1. How were the puppets in the performance similar
to the ones in our classroom? How were they
different?
2. Who told the story during the performance? Could
you see this person?
3. What was your favorite part of Guess How Much I
Love You? Why?
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 11 of 15
Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum GuidePOST-SHOW DISCUSSION AND ASSESSMENT
DISCUSSION 1) WRITE A LETTER
Comprehension: Goal: To reflect on the performance experience
1. In Guess How Much I Love You, what was Little and to practice writing skills.
Nutbrown Hare trying to show Big Nutbrown Hare?
How was he trying to show it? Explanation: In this activity, students will write a
letter about their experience to the Guess How Much
2. Why did Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown I Love You performers or to Des Moines Performing
Hare keep going back and forth with farther and Arts education donors whose support keeps
farther distances? Applause Series tickets accessibly priced for school
groups.
3. In I Love My Little Storybook, where does the
bunny’s storybook take place? What did you see Activity:
during the performance that showed that? 1. After attending the performance, discuss the
experience with your students. Use the following
4. What special friends does the bunny see inside his discussion questions to guide the conversation:
storybook?
What was the show about?
5. Name some different things the bunny does with What parts of the show were most exciting?
his storybook. How were these shown during the
Which character did you enjoy the most? Why?
performance?
What did the characters learn?
6. What happened when the bunny got tired? What was special about the puppets?
2. Next, invite students to write a letter to the
Puppetry: performers or to Des Moines Performing Arts donors
1. Were you able to see the puppeteers during the about their theater experience.
show? Why or why not?
Example letter starter:
2. What did the puppets look like? What kind of colors
were they? How do you think the different puppets Dear Mermaid Theatre performers,
were made?
My favorite part of the show was…
4. If you could ask the puppeteers a question, what While watching your show I felt… because …
would it be? (you may email student questions to I have drawn a picture of the scene when…
Mermaid Theatre at puppets@mermaidtheatre.ns.ca. If I could be in your show, I would play the
They are great at responding!) part of … because …
Reality vs. fantasy: 3. Mail the letters to:
1. Can love really be measured in a distance? Why
does Sam McBratney choose to show love in this way Des Moines Performing Arts
in Guess How Much I Love You? Attn: Education Department
221 Walnut Street
2. Can someone really jump into and out of a Des Moines, IA 50309
storybook? What does the little bunny really mean?
Follow-up Questions:
Theater Experience: 1. What did you include in your letter? Why did you
1. What was your favorite part about our trip to the want to share that particular idea?
theater?
2. How was the performance different than the
books? How was it the same?
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 12 of 15
Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum GuidePOST-SHOW DISCUSSION AND ASSESSMENT
2) ACTING OUT A STORY 3) MAKE YOUR OWN GREETING
CARD
Goal: To use drama and imagination to
demonstrate comprehension of a story. Goal: To practice writing and communication
skills
Explanation: In this activity, students will use
drama and their imaginations to re-tell an Anita Jeram Explanation: In this activity, students will practice
or Sam McBratney story to demonstrate their their writing and communication skills by making a
understanding of characters and key events using card for a loved one or friend.
tableau.
Activity:
1. Print and make copies of the Guess How Much I
Tableau: a dramatic convention in which Love You card template (page 14) on white
individuals use their bodies to create a cardstock.
“frozen picture” that expresses actions, 2. Give one card template to each student. Ask them
locations, feelings or situations. to identify a loved one or friend that they would like to
make their card for.
3. Have students color the cards, cut them out, and
Activity: fold them on the dotted line.
1. Read a book by Anita Jeram or Sam McBratney 4. Next, have students write a special message inside
aloud to the class. the card to their loved one.
2. As a class, brainstorm the characters in the story 5. Allow the students the opportunity to make more
and determine the plot or sequence of main events. than one card if time allows.
3. Break up the story into small segments and assign
Follow-up Questions:
each segment to a group of 3-4 students.
1. Why is it important to tell our loved ones that we
4. Students then create tableau (frozen picture that care about them?
tells a story) of their assigned moment in the story. 2. How do you feel when you receive a card from
Students may represent the characters, objects, or someone?
setting of their assigned moment. 3. How do you know that your loved ones (parents,
5. All groups then show their tableau in front of the siblings, grandparents, friends, etc.) love you as well?
class in the order of the story.
6. Once a group is “frozen,” tap students on the
shoulder one at a time. When tapped, they should
“unfreeze” and briefly describe who they are and what
they are doing in the scene.
Follow-up Questions:
1. How would you describe the character or object
you played?
2. What happened at the beginning of the story?
In the middle? At the end?
3. How did you feel when you were depicting your
tableau for the class?
Full size template available on
page 14.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 13 of 15
Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum GuideREPRODUCIBLE (for use with post-show activity #3) Des Moines Performing Arts Page 14 of 15 Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum Guide
RESOURCES AND SOURCES
Margo Ellen Gesser
ADDITIONAL BOOKS RESOURCES
Written & illustrated by “An Interview with Sam McBratney.”
http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/mcbratney/
Anita Jeram: View the transcript to an interview with Guess How Much I Love You
All Together Now author Sam McbBratney. Site also contains a short biography of
Bill's Belly Button McBratney and information about his children’s books.
Bunny, My Honey
Contrary Mary Anita Jeram Official Website.
Daisy Dare http://www.anitajeram.com/
It Was Jake Explore all about Anita Jeram’s work as an artist and illustrator, the
The Most Obedient Dog in the things she loves that influence her work, and her younger years.
World
“Guess How Much I Love You App.”
Written by Sam https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/guess-how-much-i-love-you-
interactive-episodes/id572817746?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
McBratney & Illustrated
The ‘Guess How Much I Love You™’ application takes you on an
by Anita Jeram: unforgettable journey to the watercolour landscape of grassy fields,
Colors Everywhere mossy forests, lazy rivers and sunny green valleys.
Let’s Play in the Snow
When I’m Big “LeVar Burton Kids.”
You're All My Favorites https://www.levarburtonkids.com/
Continue students’ exploration of the way books have the power to
Written by transport us to far off place by downloading this interactive app.
Sam McBratney: “Rabbits.”
I Love it When You Smile http://animals.pppst.com/rabbits.html
Jimmy Zest This interactive website about rabbits contains activities, games,
Just You and Me PowerPoint presentations, and information on caring for rabbits.
Put a Saddle on the Pig
There, There.
SOURCES
“Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia.” www.mermaidtheatre.ns.ca
“Rabbits.” www.wikipedia.org
“Rabbits.” www.rabbitempire.org
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 15
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Guess How Much I Love You Curriculum GuideYou can also read
