Little Mermaid Lessons

PreK & Early Elementary- Read to the children a version of Peter Pan. Discuss the differences between the book and the play. Start a writing prompt and have the children illustrate and/or write one of the following...

* Where would you go if you could fly?

* What would your name be if Tigerlily made you a member of her tribe.

* Why do you think Tinkerbell doesn't like Wendy?

* If you were Peter would you stay in Neverland or go back to England to live with Wendy?

Older Elementary- Read "Peter and the Starcatchers", by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. Discuss that both the play and the book are prequels to the story of Peter Pan by JM Barrie. Discuss the differences between the book and the play. Have the children create their own prequel to the Peter Pan story by explaining one of the following pieces of the story.

* Why will Peter Pan never grow up?

* How did Peter and the lost boys get to Neverland?

In this play Peter Pan learns how to fly from Tinkerbell. Because humans can not fly... magic is needed to help him. In our world, humans can only fly using science. Name some inventions that have helped people to fly. Depending on the age of your classroom you can discuss some scientific principals behind the inventions. Do some fun experiments that demonstrate Bernoulli's Principle, air pressure and drag. There are tons of lessons located at sciencekids.com

Peter Pan will NEVER grow up... but your students will. Have the children discuss what they would like to be when they grow up and graph the outcome. Sort the jobs in various ways. (Possible examples could be Sales, Health, Sports/Entertainment, Teaching etc.)

Expand the theater experience to the math lesson, by having the children create a miniature theater set from a scene in the play. Set designers not only have to be creative and artistic, but they also have to have mechanical skills. Have the class pick a favorite set and try to recreate it. Use items like straws, sticks, felt, and paper and have the children measure and design the set, making sure it functions as it did on stage.

The play begins in England. Discuss where England is located and what life is like there. What are the differences between England and America. What are some of the similarities. Add to your lesson by having an English tea party and introducing the children to some popular English cuisine.