Curriculum Alignment

Country Mouse Comes to Tea...

Exploring Animal Characters from Tales Real and Fanciful

Research Process		Directions
	Scenario	We enjoy meeting many animal characters in the stories we read, such as the Country Mouse, Toad, or Curious George. Some of these animal characters are like real animals in the way they look and behave, while some of these animal characters are more fanciful. Each animal character, whether real or fanciful, has special qualities, and each learns and grows through their stories. Click here to read about a real bear.  Click here to read about a fanciful bear. Wouldn't it be fun to REALLY meet some real and fanciful animal characters from the stories we've read? What would that be like? How well might you get along? What could you do together? If you could meet two animal characters,which ones would you choose and why?
	Task	Imagine you can invite two animal characters to a party. One of the characters must be real and one must be fanciful. You can host any kind of party that you and the characters would enjoy together. After reading several animal stories and researching your characters, you will create a story of your own about what happens at your imaginary party and how all of you get along together.
	Product	Your story can be in the form of a picture book puppet show play video documentary multimedia presentation
	Assessment	Click here for your story checklist.
	Questions	What information do you need about the animal characters to make your choices, imagine your party, and write your story? Step One - Research your characters What does the character look like? What foods does the character eat? How does the character behave? Is the character a real or a fanciful animal? Step Two - Imagine your party What kind of party would everyone enjoy? What refreshments would you serve? What activities would you plan? How will everyone get along?
	Gather	1) After you have read several animal stories by yourself or with your class, you are ready to complete a KWL chart! 2) Now research your characters using these Websites!
	Organize	Synthesize Now that you have chosen two characters to invite, use this character diagram to compare and contrast the characters' special qualities. Evaluate Look carefully at your character diagram. What do your two characters have in common? If your characters have some things in common, then you are ready to use this information to begin to plan your party. If they do not have anything in common, you will need to go back to the character websites and select a new pair of characters to invite to your party. Create Now it is time to draft your story! Look at your story checklist again to make sure you are following directions.
	Conclude	Presentation Now it is time to share your stories with your class! Listen carefully as each story is presented. Discusion Talk about the different parties your classmates have imagined. Compare and contrast them with your own. How have the different pairs of characters gotten along at the parties? Reflection Questions Which animal characters make the best guests? Why? If you could attend one of your classmate's parties, which one would you attend? Why? How are the real animals and the fanciful animals different? How are they similar?