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.
I really like the plot. it is easy to follow and full of imaginatios. as it hasn't got many character it is gonna be easy to performed. so with the rest of the class who cannot take place in the play, they can be elfs and they will be Santa's helpers. just as an idea.
ResponderEliminarCongratulations
I like the story but I would change a few things. The animal would be a bear because the story would take place in Spain, somewhere around Picos de Europa or Pyrenees. Annie could change her name to Itziar or Nerea and she would be well aware that protecting endangered animals is important for the planet and for future generations. By the way, it is easy to find a cute teddy bear to leave it under the Christmas tree.
ResponderEliminarHi Elisa!
ResponderEliminarI like your idea a lot. It's clearly presented and motivating to children. They will have a lot of fun with Annie's idea!
With this play you can work on toys, christmas....and the most important thing is that you can work on the importance of taking care of the animals.
I dind't know that song but I really believe it will be a great motivation for your students and it can also be a great tool to finish off the play, with all the students singing and dancing!
I find the story perfectly appropriate for the age group you reccomend it. It connects to the contents children study in science at this age (living things, animals and its characterictics, etc.).
ResponderEliminarApart from that, it comes in the correct time of the year and it can make a fantastic theatre play for the festival schools celebrate at Chirstmas time. All the students in the class can have a small part, given to the fact that in your outline a lot of Annie´s school friends can appear.
I think it is a good play because it is easy to be performed by the third year grade students. Moreover, they could learn new things about hippopotamuses and about the responsability of looking after an animal.
ResponderEliminarI wouldn't make any change to the play outline, I I could include more scenes, for example one in whihc how Annie looks after the hippotamus.
Sandra Nieto Martín
Having read your outline I think it is highly recommended for students with a Level 1 in performing plays. However I would turn the story to be more conscious about the impact that getting things easily can have on children, so I would introduce some actions that Annie had to do in order to get what she wants, something that makes her think of the great responsability of having a living thing for the rest of her life. I know it sounds tremendous but I think that the idea of the play is great adding some moral aspects to the play.
ResponderEliminarNice job!!
It is such a cute story Elisa, you've been very creative. The story is full of fantasy and ilusion. in my opinion it is well organized for children and I think it is also appropriate for 4th and 5th graders, because there are children at that age with dreams.Performing this play kids will have an opportunity to show many emotions Thank you for sharing!
ResponderEliminarI want a hippopotamus for Christmas
ResponderEliminarThis story is very appropriate for students of 1st level. It’s Christmas time, a good moment for a story and for a play. An amazing present: a hippopotamus, this is a surprise for everybody. Santa is a character in the story, children enjoy having Santa in the story. Annie can explain why she wants this present so she can get it.
Thanks for sharing! I really like the plot, and even more the idea about Annie wants to have a hippopotamus as a present next Christmas. The children love this animal! I believe it will be a good play for students of level 1. Also, you work different places: the school, the park, the mall,… It could be very useful!
ResponderEliminarI love this song and I think it is a really great idea to adapt it for a play. I think it is suitable for several ages, from year 3 to year 6. Children would learn new vocabulary with it and they would have lots of fun. You may also add activities after it, i.e., decide bizarre presents you want for Christmas.
ResponderEliminarI really like this play! I think you have very clear objectives with it and it is well defined, the structures are easy to handle and you can addapt it to other levels too. Animals' topic is always welcome by students, I'm sure they will have a lot of fun.
ResponderEliminarWell done, try it with level one because it's really attractive for their age.