VERSION I BEGINNING

Concepts reinforced: Question words: WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, HOW

Prepositions: UP, DOWN, AROUND, IN, ON, LEFT, RIGHT, BEFORE

Vocabulary: MONGOOSE, BEAUTIFUL, DANCE, CHANCE, LONG AGO,

I would use this as Readers’ Theater where groups of kids do choral speaking for each of the three roles: Narrator, Bird, and Mongoose. They can repeat after you the parts you want them to learn. Possible interactive questions are presented in parentheses.

“A PARADISE BIRD AND A MONGOOSE” Easy Version

N=NARRATOR(S) B=BIRD(S) M=MONGOOSE(S—OR MONGEESE?)

N: Our story takes place in Laos.

M: Where is Laos?

N: Laos is very far away.

M: What is Laos?

It is a beautiful country with tall trees, blue skies, plants and animals, and many bright colors.

B: When did the story happen?

It happened long, long ago, before we were born.

M and B: Please, tell us the story!

N: One day in Laos, the skies were

(blue), the trees and grasses were bright (green), and the flowers were (red, blue, yellow, purple, pink, etc.) A hungry mongoose walked through the beautiful jungle.

M: I am so, so, so hungry! (But, what can I eat?)

N: The mongoose looked left, right, and all around. But no food could be found.

Then, he looked up in a tree.

M: What do I see here? A beautiful, big, juicy bird—and it is dancing! What a tasty lunch that bird would make! (The mongoose licks its lips and rubs its tummy.)

Hello, Beautiful. Who are you?

B: (Chants and moves to a rhythm, side to side.)

WELL, EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT I’M THE BIRD.

I SING THE BEST SONGS YOU EVER HEARD.

AND NOW I’M LEARNING TO DANCE, DANCE, DANCE.

I’LL BE THE BEST IN THE WORLD IF I GET THE CHANCE.

M: (Licking it lips again.) I can help you be the best dancer in the whole world.

B: How can you help me?

M: You are moving from side to side.

Do it this way (M shows B how to do it):

WE GO UP, DOWN, ALL AROUND

WE GOT THE BIRD AND THE BIRD IS THE WORD.

WE GO UP, DOWN, ALL AROUND

WE GOT THE BEST DANCE ON THE GROUND.

(B tries the dance, but doesn’t do it well. Stops dancing.)

It’s no good. I’m still not the best dancer in the world.

What is wrong?

M: (Jumps up and down) I know! I know!

Say this after me: (B repeats each line.)

WE GO UP, DOWN, ALL AROUND.

WE GOT THE BIRD AND THE BIRD IS THE WORD.

WE GO UP, DOWN ALL AROUND.

WE GOT THE BEST DANCE ON THE GROUND!

B: But, we don’t have the best dance. Why???

M: (Smiling and licking its lips)

Don’t be sad. I have the answer.

(Where do you dance?) You dance in the tree.

Like I said, you need to dance ON THE GROUND.

B: Oh, you’re right!

(Sings.)

I’M SO GLAD I TOOK THIS CHANCE.

THE WORLD WILL LOVE THE WAY I DANCE.

I’LL BE A VERY FAMOUS BIRD!

EVERYONE WILL KNOW THAT THE BIRD IS THE WORD!

(The Bird jumps down.)

M: One more thing: Close your eyes while you dance!

(The bird closes its eyes and dances wildly in place on the ground.

The Mongoose dances in a circle around the bird until it fades away.

The Mongoose stands alone on stage, licking its lips and rubbing its tummy in a satisfied way.)

I TOOK A CHANCE, AND GOT THE BIRD!

EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THE BIRD IS THE WORD! DELICIOUS! (The Mongoose takes a bow.)

N: And the lesson in this story is: Listen to yourself, and don’t trust a stranger. Do what you love from your heart, not so that you will be famous.