Goals

These activities help to satisfy the following National and Illinois State Standards.

• Acting by assuming roles and interacting in improvisations
• Designing by visualizing and arranging environments for classroom dramatizations
• Directing by planning classroom dramatizations
• Researching by finding information to support classroom dramatizations

For a full listing, visit:

http://chicagoguide.cpsarts.org/theater/pk-2/scope-sequence

Yes it is!

Goals: In Baobab, the little boy is the only one who knows how to release the water from the tree. His bravery and imagination are key in assisting him to help his community. This exercise will encourage students to think about the kinds of ways they can help their own community.

Time Frame: 10 minutes

Procedure

• Everyone stands in a circle and imagines that there is a big baobab tree in the center.
• Ask the students to think about an object that would be helpful to their community or family.
• One at time, someone will reach into the baobab tree and pull out a mimed object that would be helpful. (e.g., a broom)
• They will show how they use the object (e.g., sweeping the floor) and the class will have to raise their hand and guess what it is.
• When the class guesses correctly, the person miming the object will say, “Yes it is!” and explain how it will help. (e.g., “It will help my community to keep our space clean.”)
• Then the next person will reach into the Baobab tree and pull out a new object. (e.g., a hammer for building homes, money to help the poor, books to pass along knowledge)

Making Shadows

Goals: Baobab uses many different kinds of puppets including shadow puppets. This exercise will allow students to create images using their own bodies and a light source.

Time Frame: 15 minutes

Procedure

• Set up a light source that will be pointed at a blank wall (A projector can be great but flashlights will also work).
• One at a time, have the students stand in between the light source and the wall so that their shadow appears.
• Have the class observe what happens to the shadow when the student gets closer to the wall versus when the student gets closer to the light source
• Then have two students stand in front of the light in a single file line, so one is in front of the other.
• Have them experiment with creating one body with multiple legs and arms, giving one body moose antlers or a tail by using another person’s hands, create a Baobab tree, etc.
• See how many creative images you can make!

Extension

You can take this to the next step by telling a story with these shadows. We can see the images interact with each other, have a voice, and make sound.

Writing Exercise or Classroom Discussion

In Baobab, the tree is an ancient symbol of strength, endurance, and community. It is an incredibly important symbol in African culture and has been for many years. Brainstorm some of the important symbols that exist in your culture. What do they represent in your community? What does that symbol mean to you personally?

Art-Making Activity

Six of the eight species of baobab trees are either Endangered or Near Threatened. The tree faces extinction, but with the help of several organizations and communities working together, people have recognized the importance of saving these trees.

Watch the videos about the baobab tree and take notes on what makes the tree so important to people, animals, and other plant life. (e.g., a source of water, home for animals, provides food for different creatures) You will then make a poster that can be hung in a community showing people as a visual reminder why we must protect this tree. Make sure to include an image of the tree and how it is important, as well as a written phrase or message communicating your point of view.