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Hen-Picked

Grade Level: 3-6

Story Preview: The Little Red Hen is looking for an apprentice to help her run her nationwide chain of bakeries. She appears with Donald Trumpeter Swann on a show called Boss Me Around and meets three candidates for the position. Who will she hire as her apprentice?

Roles: Announcer, Donald Trumpeter Swann, Little Red Hen, Bernard (a dog), Kitty (a cat), and Mallard (a duck)

Setting: television studio, present day

Theme: folk tales

Vocabulary:

• CEO: chief executive officer
• apprentice: a person who works for another to learn a trade
• harvesting: gathering crops
• poultry: birds raised for eggs or meat
• manicurist: a person who takes care of hands and fingernails
• demeanor: manner of behavior
• pursuits: occupations or pastimes
• catbird's seat: a position of power
• fowl: bird of any kind

Props: microphones for the announcer and Donald Trumpeter Swann (optional)

Follow-Up Questions:

• Why does the Little Red Hen need an apprentice?
• Does the apprentice have to be a bird?
• What kind of animals are Bernard, Kitty, and Mallard?
• Why is Kitty the "one to call" if a rat is around?
• Why did the Little Red Hen fire Kitty?
• Why did the she fire Bernard and Mallard?
• What do the following bird-related phrases mean: something to crow about? bird of paradise? ruffle feathers? lay an egg? fly the coop?

Follow-Up Activity: Working in small groups or pairs, have students design a want ad for an assistant to a familiar folktale or fairy tale character. For example, an ad for Humpty Dumpty's apprentice might include: should not be afraid of heights, must enjoy putting puzzles together and be skillful with paste, and should be comfortable working with horses.

Additional Notes: This story might be contrasted with a more traditional version of The Little Red Hen provided by PBS's Between the Lions.

Click here for a printable script.

Article by Cara Bafile
Education World®
Copyright © 2006 Education World

04/14/2006