Primary School Piece changes- HARE& THE HEDGEHOG

The first change that was made was the script. Pierce took it upon himself to be director and so he adapted the script because it was sexist and dark. He changed my part as a children's narrator. I then became a squirrel that said the lines of the narrator after three rehearsals  my part got changed again by our director Nick  to an old stereotypical Grandmother.

In the original script of the hare&the hedgehog the race ends with the hare dying. We decided to change it so he cooks the family dinner instead of him dying. But then it got changed again to the hedgehog deciding to be a peace maker and give the hare Haribos and that's how it ends now. Then it's a free frame and we all walk off then Pierce comes back and says a line and we all come back and do the same thing Pierce done (Cameron, Simone and I). Then we start singing a remix version that we made of the Goodbye song from Bear in the big blue house to finish it all off.  It goes like this here's a link of the original version from Bear in the big blue house. We just changed some words around. The only feedback I received from Yusuf was to change my voice because the children won't quite understand what I'm saying so I'll change my voice to normal but keep the coughs I do but I will make sure it will not clash. So they can hear the other character's as well.  We were supposed to do a song at the end of the play; our remix to Bear in the big blue house but then before hand because we hadn't rehearsed it as much we decided to not to the song at all. Personally, I liked the song because I like to sing, one of them ones where I like to sing when no one is there that is why I close my eyes when I sing.

Research for TIE Childrens Theatre

History of  Story-telling

How to tell a story
This video below helped me learn a few fast techniques for Story- Telling which I needed. Note I will not use all the techniques. I needed to refresh my memory on how to approach Narration to toddlers. I have done Narration before but it wasn't to little kids it was to people 16+ so it was more serious and intense whereas with Children's theatre and the piece I am doing I have to losen up and just have fun because that's what six year olds love to do. Play, Learn and grow. My aim is to make this piece memorable with the Narration bits I have so the children can remember how the Hare&Hedgehog was told and will not stop talking about it.

Hare and the hedgehog(actual made up story)
It was on a Sunday morning at harvest time, just when the buckwheat was in bloom. The sun was shining bright in the heaven, the morning wind was blowing warmly across the stubble, the larks were singing in the air, the bees were buzzing in the buckwheat, and the people in their Sunday best were on their way to church, and all the creatures were happy, including the hedgehog. The hedgehog was standing
before his door with his arms crossed, humming a little song to himself, neither better nor worse than hedgehogs usually sing on a nice Sunday morning. Singing there to himself, half silently, it suddenly occurred to him that while his wife was washing and drying the children, he could take a little walk into the field and see how his turnips were doing. The turnips were close by his house, and he and his family were accustomed to eating them, so he considered them his own.

No sooner said than done. The hedgehog closed the house door behind him and started down the path to the field. He hadn't gone very far away from his house at all, only as far as the blackthorn bush which stands at the front of the field, near the turnip patch, when he met up with the hare, who had gone out for a similar purpose, namely to examine his cabbage.

When the hedgehog saw the hare, he wished him a friendly good morning. The hare, however, who was in his own way a distinguished gentleman, and terribly arrogant about it, did not answer the hedgehog's greeting, but instead said to the hedgehog, in a terribly sarcastic manner, "How is it that you are running around in the field so early in the morning?"

"I'm taking a walk," said the hedgehog.

"Taking a walk?" laughed the hare. "I should think that you could better use your legs for other purposes."

This answer made the hedgehog terribly angry, for he could stand anything except remarks about his legs, for by nature they were crooked.

"Do you imagine," said the hedgehog to the hare, "that you can accomplish more with your legs?"

"I should think so," said the hare.

"That would depend on the situation," said the hedgehog. "I bet, if we were to run a race, I'd pass you up."

"That is a laugh! You with your crooked legs!" said the hare. "But for all I care, let it be, if you are so eager. What will we wager?"

"A gold louis d'or and a bottle of brandy," said the hedgehog.

"Accepted," said the hare. "Shake hands, and we can take right off."

"No, I'm not in such a hurry," said the hedgehog. "I'm very hungry. First I want to go home and eat a little breakfast. I'll be back here at this spot in a half hour."

The hare was agreeable with this, and the hedgehog left.

On his way home the hedgehog thought to himself, "The hare is relying on his long legs, but I'll still beat him. He may well be a distinguished gentleman, but he's still a fool, and he'll be the one to pay."

Arriving home, he said to his wife, "Wife, get dressed quickly. You've got to go out to the field with me."

"What's the matter?" said his wife.

"I bet a gold louis d'or and a bottle of brandy with the hare that I could beat him in a race, and you should be there too."

"My God, man," the hedgehog's wife began to cry, "are you mad? Have you entirely lost your mind? How can you agree to run a race with the hare?"

"Hold your mouth, woman," said the hedgehog. "This is my affair. Don't get mixed up in men's business. Hurry up now, get dressed, and come with me."

What was the hedgehog's wife to do? She had to obey, whether she wanted to or not.

As they walked toward the field together, the hedgehog said to his wife, "Now pay attention to what I tell you. You see, we are going to run the race down the long field. The hare will run in one furrow and I in another one. We'll begin running from up there. All you have to do is to stand here in the furrow, and when the hare approaches from the other side, just call out to him, 'I'm already here.'"

With that they arrived at the field, the hedgehog showed his wife her place, then he went to the top of the field. When he arrived the hare was already there.

"Can we start?" said the hare.

"Yes, indeed," said the hedgehog. "On your mark!" And each one took his place in his furrow.

The hare counted "One, two, three," and he tore down the field like a windstorm. But the hedgehog ran only about three steps and then ducked down in the furrow and remained there sitting quietly.

When the hare, in full run, arrived at the bottom of the field, the hedgehog's wife called out to him, "I'm already here!"

The hare, startled and bewildered, thought it was the hedgehog himself, for as everyone knows, a hedgehog's wife looks just like her husband.

The hare thought, "Something's not right here." He called out, "Let's run back again!" And he took off again like a windstorm, with his ears flying from his head. But the hedgehog's wife remained quietly in place.

When the hare arrived at the top, the hedgehog called out to him, "I'm already here!"

The hare, beside himself with excitement, shouted, "Let's run back again!"

"It's all right with me," answered the hedgehog. "For all I care, as often as you want."

So the hare ran seventy-three more times, and the hedgehog always kept up with him. Each time the hare arrived at the top or the bottom of the field, the hedgehog or his wife said, "I am already here!"

But the hare did not complete the seventy-fourth time. In the middle of the field, with blood flowing from his neck, he fell dead to the ground.

The hedgehog took the gold louis d'or and the bottle of brandy he had won, called his wife from her furrow, and happily they went back home.

And if they have not died, then they are still alive.

Thus it happened that the hedgehog ran the hare to death on the Buxtehude Heath, and since that time no hare has agreed to enter a race with a hedgehog.

The moral of this story is, first, that no one, however distinguished he thinks himself, should make fun of a lesser man, even if this man is a hedgehog. And second, when a man marries, it is recommended that he take a wife from his own class, one who looks just like him. In other words, a hedgehog should always take care that his wife is also a hedgehog, and so forth.

Year Published: 1917

Language: English

Country of Origin: Germany

Source: Withers, S. , Browne, H. S. , Tate, W. K. (1917). The Child's World Third Reader. New York: Johnson Publishing Company.

A Brief History about story-telling

The art of storytelling has been passed down for generations- and so have the steps writers have taken to make books appealing to children.
Oral Tradition
People told stories for centuries before writing was invented. Children's books, like adult books, emerged from these oral traditions. The art of story-telling was highly regarded (even as a profession at times), and stories were passed down to children from their parents, traveling bards, and elders of the community or tribe.
Every culture has used storytelling to pass on traditions and beliefs to future generations, as well as to explain the mysteries of nature, convey history, influence values, and entertain. Tales had to be told in such a way that they would be remembered. Storytellers often performed their stories and sometimes brought along drawings to help illustrate the tale. Occasionally, they would embellish or alter a common story to keep the attention of the audience.
Storytellers required a certain knack for sizing up an audience. They had to recognise the needs and wants of those listening and figure out a suitable approach. They also had to alter their techniques according to the type of audience, whether it was adults only, children only, adults and children combined, or people of a different community, town, or tribe. All these factors had to be considered before and during a story performance.
It is important to recognise and respect the oral tradition. Though sometimes thought a thing of the past, it is valuable to writers of today - especially authors of children's books. As you progress in your writing, you will find that having an audience will help to hone your skills as a performer of your work. And just as the tellers of so long ago sized up their audiences, so will you.

   Read the stories aloud to myself and then pretend I'm reading on the radio, and speak slowly and clearly, with feeling. Test the sound of sentences, improve rhythm, eliminate awkward phrases, and shape realistic dialogue.

• When I have completed a draft, I'll read it aloud to children of the appropriate age (my brother and sister) i'll also note which parts hold them and which parts don't.
• I'd probably meditate on the values and memories to pass on to the next generation. What has changed since I was younger? that do kids need to hear from my unique perspective? and so fourth... Incorporating these tips from the oral tradition will strengthen my presentation of stories.

The ancient Greek myths are a good example of how oral tradition promotes the longevity of a story. Had these myths not been so entertaining and recounted in such a compelling way, they would not have survived long enough to be written down. This is by

Luke Wallin and Eva Sage Gordon I changed some of the words that were used into my own.

1.Six year old Behaviour and Daily Routines

One of the most significant changes in a six year old child is their behaviour and daily routines. Showing more independence, children this age will tend to spend more time away from home at school, and participate in activities on their own, such as attending birthday parties or going on play dates.

2. Six year old physical Development

You can expect to see a wide range of physical development in 6-year-old children. Some will develop motor skills and co-ordination more rapidly than others, and natural athletic abilities may become apparent at this age.

3. Six year old Emotional Development

Six-year-old children are developing the skills to handle their emotional ups and downs more maturely. However, it will still be difficult for children this age to have the patience to handle drawbacks, losses (such as in a game), and other setbacks. At age 6, children will also experience the insecurity that comes from spending more time away from home, and will need and want the comfort and security of home and time with his/her parents.

Children in this age group might:

Show more independence from parents and family.
Understand more about his or her place in the world.
Pay more attention to friendships and teamwork.
Want to be liked and accepted by friends. 
        

Preparation for TIE- Hare & Hedgehog and my character research

During my research I have learnt that there is no such thing as stereotypical grandma's these days. In years gone by maybe you could stereotype the "typical" Granny as a knitting, stay at home cookie baker who sat by the window and waited for kids and grand-kids to visit. NOT NOW. I know Grandmas whose kids and grands live thousands of miles away from them. These women fill their lives with many different activities. I have a  grandma and she is tall and slender, she is really sporty and she exercises almost everday. She has loads of friends of all different ages with different interests. 

 
Loving, cuddly, and always smiling. Then there are the ones who were "old" long before they even became senior citizens. They constantly complain, are negative, and are a drag to be around. They dwell on sickness and who is dead or dying, live in the past and see no good coming in the future.
And of course there are still some cookie bakers and apple pie makers around. Senior citizens are not going to fit into any stereotype these days. They are dating, going out dancing, getting married, traveling, and hopefully enjoying all that they have worked for. 


Clothing

   I'll wear a floral dresses with sandals or slippers. Bakes cakes for family and neighbours, and knits in a big armchair. She would be the heart of her family, and would always be there for everyone.

hmmm... i'm thinking to wear elastic polyester pants, and like a grandmother cardigan.
or wear an oversizzed random shirt with like a cat.





Voice work and Physical Movement

I've been using other children stories to help me with how i'm going to play a stereotypical grandmother. The stories I have used to help me so far is Little red hiding hood, hoodwinked and baby  looney tunes. Each voice is different but they still represent  grandmothers. I also  used the Queen Of England because I love her and how she presents her self in the public eye.

Name
Grandmother Victoria also known as Vickky in the play.

Measurements

Height: 158.5cm

Hips: 37"

Waist: 29"

Bust 34.5"

                         Brown Hare

 

 

Cameron Flavien- Nicholas plays the role of a brown(european) posh hare. I personally, just, wanted to find out more about hare's because I didn't know about them before I read the story of the hare and  hedgehog and during my project research I found out that Hares are much longer-limbed and swifter than rabbits. They use their powerful hind legs to escape predation by outrunning their enemies, and have been known to reach speeds of 72kph (45mph). Brown hares are widespread throughout central and western Europe, including most parts of the UK, where they were first introduced by the Romans.

Scientific name: Lepus europaeus

Rank: Species Common names: brown hare and European Hare.

The European hare (Lepus europaeus), also known as the brown hare, eastern jackrabbit and eastern prairie hare, is a species of hare native to northern, central, and western Europe and western Asia. It is a mammal adapted to temperate, open country. It is known to have similar features of a rabbit that may be true because they are  in the same family but a different genus. It breeds on the ground rather than in a burrow and relies on speed to escape.

Normally shy animals, hares change their behaviours in the spring, when they can be seen in broad daylight chasing one another around meadows. During this spring frenzy, hares can be seen "boxing", where hares strike one another with their paws. For a long time, this had been thought to be competition between males, but closer observation has revealed it is usually a female hitting a male, either to show she is not yet quite ready to mate or as a test of his determination.

The hare is declining in mainland Europe due to changes in farming practices. Its natural predators include the golden eagle and carnivorous mammals, such as the red fox and wolf. Smaller hares native to southern Europe previously regarded as European hares have been split off as separate species in recent years, including the broom hare in northern Spain.

 

 

Arctic Hare

Lepus arcticus

 

The arctic hare lives in the North American tundra. These hares do not hibernate, but survive the dangerous cold with a number of behavioral and physiological adaptations. They have thick fur and enjoy a low surface area to volume ratio that conserves body heat, most evident in their shortened ears. These hares sometimes dig shelters in snow and huddle around together to share warmth. Like other hares and rabbits, Arctic hares are fast and can bound at speeds of up to 40 miles (60 kilometers) an hour. In winter, they have a white coat that enables them to be able to camouflage in the land of ice and snow. In spring, the hare's colors change to blue-gray in approximation of local rocks and vegetation.

Arctic hares are sometimes loners but they can also be found in groups of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of individuals. Unlike many mammals, arctic hare groups disperse rather than form during mating season. Animals pair off and define mating territories, though a male may take more than one female partner.

Females give birth to one litter per year, in spring or early summer. Two to eight young hares grow quickly and by September resemble their parents. They will be ready to breed the following year.

Food can be scarce in the Arctic, but the hares survive by eating woody plants, mosses, and lichens which they may dig through the snow to find in winter. In other seasons they eat buds, berries, leaves, roots, and bark.

Traditionally, the arctic hare has been important to Native Americans. These animals are usually hunted as a food resource and for their fur, which is used to make clothing.

Hedgehog's

A hedgehog is any of the spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae, which is Erinaceomorpha. There are seventeen species of hedgehogs, found through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and New Zealand.There are no hedgehogs native to Australia, and no living species native to the Americas. Hedgehogs share distant ancestry with shrews, Like many of the first mammals they have adapted to a nocturnal way of life. Hedgehogs' spiny protection resembles that of the unrelated rodent porcupines and monotreme echidnas (I never knew that now I do).
The name hedgehog came into use around the year 1450, derived from the Middle English heyghoge, from heyg, hegge ("hedge"), because it frequents hedgerows, and hoge, hogge ("hog"), from its piglike snout. Other names hedgehog's have include urchin, hedgepig and furze-pig.

Hedgehogs are the only British mammal with spines. When threatened they will roll into a tight ball, with the spines providing sharp protection from predators. Young hedgehogs are born with soft spines under the skin to protect mum, with a second set of spines emerging within days. One peculiarity to all hedgehogs is the way
they cover their spines in foamy saliva, the reason why they do this remains a
mystery although it has been suggested it might be a sexual attractant, or be
used to reduce parasites, or as additional protection.
Hedgehogs aren't fussy when it comes to food: worms, slugs, frogs and even bird eggs can be
taken during a two kilometre nightly forage, a resistance to adder venom can also
put this snake on the menu. The name for a baby hedgehog is a hoglet.

Scientific name: Erinaceus europaeus

Rank: Species

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Erinaceomorpha
Family:	Erinaceidae
Subfamily:	Erinaceinae
Genera
Atelerix Erinaceus Hemiechinus Mesechinus Paraechinus This is by G. Fischer, 1814.

                                                                                SET

We decided to divide the set of the hare& the hedgehog into three different parts. In the piece, there is two house scenes, one garden scene and a field where they have the race on.

The set of hare and the hedgehog gradually changes from the first house scene to a garden scene back into the second house(kitchen) scene and then back to the house(Kitchen) scene and then the field it is the field scene.

PROPS

We will use:
Face paints - we will all be using face paints to add more life to our characters instead of using our natural faces to perform, we liked the idea of face paints because it adds more humour to our piece and this will enable the kids to enjoy the performance even more hoepfully.
Table for the house (kitchen scene),
Flowers for the garden scene.



COSTUME
The costumes we are using are for Cameron, Pierce and Simone is Onesie's it is like a one whole jumpsuit but with character like facial features as part of their
face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feedback

Feedback
We had received feedback from Nick reguarding our children's theatre piece. Cameron and Pierce- done really well and as a result to this Nick said well done to them both. Cameron in particular because he has taken time off and really studied his character so he's able to perform like his character. On the other hand, Simone has to do a lot more animal noises(sniffing) and she was told that she should be more of her character but she was ill and her body was pain during rehearsal she did try her best. We have now changed the introudction of the story, instead of all of us coming on and introducing ourselves one by one and singing good morning it is now changed to me reading the book in a chair to start  it off. The characters individually come on stage and introduce themselves I don't need to bring them on. Pierce quick check back to see if Mr Hedgehog singing good morning. So now I am a sterotypical grand mother instead of Chutney the squirell.  Since my character has now been changed to a stereotypical grandmother I have started to try and study my character like Cameron has done to enable me to perform better than him. I need to change my mindset and focus on the work and connecting to my character and stop saying No.
Today's rehearsal session went good and all I have to say is that our piece is coming together rather well. The only feedback I received from Yusuf was to change my voice because the children won't quite understand what I'm saying so I'll change my voice to normal but keep the coughs I do but I will make sure it will not clash.  So they can hear the other character's as well.

Analysis of the educational needs of my target audience, school kids aged six years.

Brief synposis

For the TIE project I am currently doing I got a chance to work with: Cameron Flavien Nichloas(the hare), Pierce Tomlinson(Mr.Hedgehog) and Simon Ziel(Mr.hedgehogs' wife). My part in the children theatre piece was Chutney the squirrel(Narrator). We had in mind if we had done the original made up story, would it be suitable for the kids? together as a group we read the actual made up story and thought:one, it was sexist; quite dark for kids, as in kids generally don't like stories about blood and
hearing that someone is dying a painful death or any type of death. We personal thought it was inappropriate. In contrast to this, someone dying in the play, would get them scared and they would end up having nightmares, which we don't want to happen. So, then, Pierce Tomlinson took the liberty of adapting some changes to the script. In the adapted script the Narrator(me) starts off by saying Hello kids. My name is chutney the squirel! I'm going to tell you a very good story called the hare and the hedgehog. And it includes three very special people. Shall I introduce the special people to you- then to grab the childrens attention he wrote I can't hear you because most kids generally love to get involved with any story that is being told to them in any way. The rest of the script is quite similar the only three things that change is the moral of the story, the beginning and the ending. The beginning is now set in the hedgehog's home and his wife is making him breakfast(pancakes) and they have a dispute and they quarrell for a bit then he heads out for fresh air to pick vegetables, sees the hare while he is there and then the hare starts making fun of him so then he remembers his wife and his duty as a father then makes a bet the loser will cook dinner for the winner's family. The ending is now the Hare losing the race and not dying; having to end up making dinner for the Hedgehog and his wife but then they don't like it and spit it out and the hare holds his ears screaming ahhhhhhh! then that's the end.
                                           























                                                    Moral Teaching

The moral of the story is, that no one, however great that person might be; should never bully someone for being small or because they walk funny. Even if that person is a hedgehog. Even though cheating helped the hedgehog, it does not mean that cheating is the way out of things and is right. Cheating is wrong and you should never cheat. If you ever get bullied please go tell the teacher. He or she will deal with the matter. Then the narrator says her final goodbye and that's when it ends.

 

        What is Theatre In Edcuation?

Theatre in Education works on a fundamental level because it is very interactive. All the shows Act On Info produce, even the ones to larger groups, involve audience participation on some level and this encourages an emotional connection to the work, making it more memorable. As well as learning about subjects and issues through drama by participating the pupils are also developing other social and interactive skills such as communication, public speaking, negotiation, awareness of themselves and others, teamwork, improved concentration, and self confidence.
Theatre in Education or TIE was originally formed in 1965 by actor called Roger Chapman at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry. It had plans to involve theatre professionals directly with the education of school children. However, now it tends to refer to all professional theatre involvement in school education. Different companies will often be defined as TIE companies and will travel around the country giving lectures and workshops. Chapman wanted theatrical education to be more involving. The original company was largely made up with actors and professionals which already had teaching experience; TIE is quite difficult to do because I have to learn how to get out of my comfort zone and do the un-expected!

Keeping children interested and how it appeals to the target audience

Making reading a book an experience. Showing the kids the cover of the book, and saying the title in an excited voice. Voice is the number one factor in keeping kids interested. If I speak and read in a monotone voice, the kids are going to get bored, quick.  I'll ask lots of questions, like "Where's the tree mrs hedgehog is standing next to?" or "What color is the hare's ears?" to make them more attentive and this not only helps kids gain an understanding of common things, it builds their language skills too.  I'll wait a few seconds for a response. If a child says the correct answer then i'll say "Great job that's right!" Even if they don't say the right answer, I'll correct them with the right answer and continue with my narration.
Another great idea for story time is to use puppets. Using puppets when listening to stories is a good idea to keep kids interested. Making the puppet talk, in a different voice. Talk to the kids with the puppet, and usually the kids will talk back to the puppet. This is very entertaining, and a great way to use their imaginations, and mine too.
If I've lost the kids interest and attention, then it's probably time to move on to another part of the story or I could stop and ask more questions to engage them more.If that does not work then I'll add bigger facial expressions and more exagerrated movements. It is not a good idea to keep all of the kids sitting in one spot for a long time so my group does not plan to take long. Normally, the younger the child, the shorter their attention span is. I don't expect a toddler to sit for 25 minutes while they watch my group and I perform. Ideally 5-10 minutes is more realistic. Story time is an important part of a child's day, whether I are teaching a roomful of toddlers, or just one of  my own. Reading is important for kids of all ages, not only toddlers. Children from infancy to elementary school age all should be read to once in a while. Reading to kids has so many benefits, and it's important to fit it into my schedule everyday. In the story there is a race that takes place and the movement and facial expression of the runners (which is the hare and hedgehog) will make the children find the story that we are showing them absolutely hilarious and also the sense of humor that we add will also enable my group and I personally to bring the Hare and the Hedgehog story much more life and make it more lively; this is the kind of physically movement that will appeal the most to my target audience and it will get them really energised, energetic.

 

                   

 Six Year Old Cognitive Development

Thinking and Learning 

• Show rapid development of mental skills.
• Learn better ways to describe experiences and talk about thoughts and feelings.
• Have less focus on one’s self and more concern for others.

Six year olds experience a tremendous learning growth as they enter school and tackle more difficult material. They will begin to read (and may even delve into chapter books with some help from parents and teachers), and will learn basic math skills as well as other subject such as art, science, and history.

 

Six Year Old Social Development

For a six year old child, social communications and the growth of social skills will take on a greater impact as they spend more time at school and with friends. The social world of a six year old will be more complex and they may put more emphasis on relationships with others outside the immediate family such as friends and teachers.

I'm currently using this link to help me with my narration voice (particularly movement, articulation, projection and tone).