Role-Play Practice: Animal Puppets

01/04/08 (Monday)

a) Story telling and writing
We started the morning with a story entitled, "Does a Kangaroo have a mother?" It was by Eric Carle and the big colourful pictures attracted them. The book potrayed various animals and their youngs. The kids could named most of them. The picture animals included, "elephants, lions, penguins, swans, bears and monkeys". SY and JN explained that penguins couldn't fly even though they are birds. They learnt that the penguins' flippers have no feathers. Next, we practised writing "r". They observed the proper way of writing and wrote in the "air". Next, they wrote on the book. Among the words included, "rat, rose, rope, rain, road". They talked about the differences of "rat" and "mouse". By now, I would say most of my kids are more independent at writing. LX, ZJ, WY, ZYg, XR and JHg has shown improvement. Meanwhile, I called the kids individually to complete their unfinished "Chameleon". ZY, ZJ, WY, SC and JN were among them. WY and ZJ need a lot of encouragement when it comes to "colouring".
(M/I: Linguistic, Naturalist, Body-Kinesthetic, Spatial, Interpersonal skills)

b) Tea break
Just moments before tea break, ZJ vomitted. However, he didn't have fever and was later active again in the class. Although he was not hungry, I required him to eat half piece of a banana cake. Meanwhile, WY had a sudden nose bleeding. Fortunately, it was of little amount. He put the bottled ice on its nose as to prevent bleeding. Thus, I reminded kids to always drink lots of water. Some kids such as YW, WY, JH and ZJ required persistent reminder and more personal attention. However, they are more responsible nowadays.
(M/I: Logical-Mathematical, Interpersonal skills)

c) Dialogue: Animal Puppet and the votes
We recapped on the kids' previous animals dialogue which they created. First, they recalled the six animals involved including, "The giant anaconda, the eagles, the lions, the crocodiles, the chameleons and the porcupines". Next, they read those lines from a chart. They learnt from listening and reading. They read with different tones and expressions. They were attentive to it! Most of them wanted to be the crocodiles...haaaa! So, we voted for the animals. The faster ones will get the priority. Finally, these were the list of casts. The Anaconda : YZ, JHThe Lions : JS, M, YP, XRThe Crocodiles : LX, ZYg, EG, LXThe Eagles : JN, SYu, SYThe Porcupines : WY, JW, SJThe Chameleons : ZY, YW, ZJ
(M/I: Linguistic, Body-Kinesthetic, Logical-mathematical, Interpersonal skills)

d) Rehearsal: Animal Puppet
Then, we pulled two tables together as the puppet stage. First, they put the green cloth over the table so as to be the long grass. Next, they hid under the table and tried moving their hands. As it was difficult, so they knelt down. This time, their level was as high as the table. This was easier as they could see their puppets movements. However, we had not discussed on the "craft weapons" to use against the giant anaconda. It was quite messy but most importantly, they are excited and interested in the activity. Hopefully, they will bloom better in days to come.
(M/I: Linguistic, Body-Kinesthetic, Spatial, Interpersonal, Logical Mathematical skills)