I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS
FOR CHRISTMAS
LEVEL 1 (3rd grade
students)
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas is based on the christmas song
written by John Rox and performed by Gayla Peevey in 1953.
Characters: Annie, Santa, Mum, Dad, Miss Smith, Student
1, Student2, Bella, Tom and Susie and hippo.
Synopsis: After a science lesson Annie decides
that hippopotamuses are her favourite animals. She likes them so much that some
days before Christmas Annie writes a letter to Santa. In the letter she asks
him for a hippopotamus. Santa is confused about Annie´s wish and asks her some
questions to confirm she really wants a hippo for Christmas. Her parents try to
persuade her with some other possible presents but she is firm with her
decision. Her friends are also amazed when they get to know this and ask her a
million questions. On Christmas Dayshe finally gets her beloved present and she
is the happiest girl on the Earth´s Surface.
Character
objectives:
Annie:
She wants to have a
hippopotamus as a present next Christmas.
Santa: He wants to check that Annie really
wants what she asks for.
Mum and dad: try to persuade their daughter that
a hippo is not a good idea and suggest some other presents.
Bella, Tom and Susie: they want to know everything about
hippos. They like their friend´s idea.
Hippo: It is Annie´s present and it comes to
her home just to make her happy.
Organisation:
Scene 1: At school
In the science class the teacher shows the students a picture
of a hippo. She asks them to tell her what they know about this animal. When
Annie gets to know all the information she decides she wants one as a pet and
says it aloud.
Scene 2: At the mall
Annie queues to meet Santa and when she gets to him she reads
her letter to him. He is confused at her wish but he can make it come true. The
only thing he needs to know is that she really can take care of something as
delicate as a living thing. After a little conversation he agrees in silence
that she can get it.
Scene 3: At home
Annie´s parents are worried about the present their daughter
wants. She doesn´t know anything about hippos and furthermore they are huge.
They want to persuade her with some other options but she denies.
Scene 4: In the park
Annie meets her friends in the park and they have a
conversation about what they ask Santa for Christmas. When Annie mentions what
she asked for they all ask her questions about hippos.
Scene 5: In the living
room.
On Christmas Day Annie finds a hippopotamus next to the
Christmas tree. She gets really excited.