A Day At The Zoo
Teacher's Directions

Stage One

1. Introduce the play as a singsong poem. Play the CD for the students, asking them to pay attention to how the lines are said.

2. Make the mask of the zoo keeper.

  • Using large cardboard (from a discarded box), draw and cut out an oval, approximately 14 inches tall. Allow the children to paint the head shape using tempura paints. (Instruct the children on how the human body has symmetry, as you cut out identical eyes, ears, nose, and mouth from white construction paper and glue them onto the cardboard.) Draw and cut out the zookeeper's hat, and allow children to color or paint it.
  • Make handles for the mask: Cover ruler with construction paper to match the mask. Tape it to the back of the mask, using clear packaging tape.

3. Make the props: One large boulder rock can be created by throwing a large brown blanket or sheet across a short chair. Tape down the ends of the material for the performance so that the chair keeps its shape. Other props might include small notebooks for the children to use to take notes at the zoo, a few plastic (or cardboard made) cameras, sunglasses, and baseball caps for the kids to wear.

Stage Two

Make six copies of the play. Allow the students to take turns reading along with the CD. Invite different children to volunteer to be the zookeeper. In other words, eight or ten different children might share the part of the zookeeper. They can practice taking the mask from each other to take turns in saying the character's lines. Allow students to pick which character they want to be.

Stage Three

Make one copy of the play using a larger font. Cut out the various parts (in four line passages) and assign a student's name on each section in pencil. Glue these onto 3" x 5" index cards. Number these cards in bold red. Create a master script that you write in (pencil) each child who will be delivering a certain passage. Keep your script on a clipboard that is marked "Teacher's Copy."

Stage Four

Allow students to practice reading their lines over and over again. Play the CD for them to practice using fluency and proper vocal influctuations.

Stage Five

Allow all the students to sing the songs in the play. Read the lyrics one line at a time, having the students repeat the lines. Practice singing the songs daily for memorization.

Stage Six

Invite the students to create the background set. Suggestions: a large building with a polar bear drawn in to appear as if behind a glass picture window, with different settings with which to place the pictures of the animals. Using a few stuffed animals would also give the stage a three dimensional look.

These stages should take about two-three weeks preparation, utilizing about two hours a day. Next, all you have to do is practice having the children read their lines without the CD, and practice passing the masks back and forth.

Keep the index cards on a table near the stage. Instruct the students to remember which number he/she is reading. Also, seat the children on the floor near the stage in order of how they are reading their lines.

After four days of rehearsal of running through the play, your class should be ready to perform! Break a leg!