JoJo’s Trip to the Zoo - Discovery Theater
Transcript of JoJo’s Trip to the Zoo - Discovery Theater
JoJo’s Trip to the Zoo
Discovery Theater ● P.O. Box 23293, Washington, DC ● www.discoverytheater.org
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A Reproducible Learning Guide for Educators
This guide is designed to help educators prepare for, enjoy, and discuss JoJo’s Trip to the Zoo
It contains background, discussion questions and activities appropriate for ages 3 to 7.
Programs Are Made Possible, In Part, By Generous Gifts From: D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities DC Public Schools
The Nora Roberts Foundation Philip L. Graham Fund
PNC Foundation Smithsonian Women's Committee
Smithsonian Youth Access Grants Program Sommer Endowment
JoJo’s
Trip to
the Zoo
Recommended for
Ages 3 to 7
Grades Pre-K - 2
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Discovery Theater ● P.O. Box 23293, Washington, DC ● www.discoverytheater.org
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ABOUT THE PLAY It’s field-trip day and Jojo can’t wait to get to the zoo! But
when he finds a little lost furball, what can he do? Asking
for help for his new animal friend leads to a behind-the-
scenes adventure, meeting some favorite animals, and
learning about our wonderful Earth and its creatures.
These learning plays were created as part of in-school
residencies promoting creative approaches to curriculum
elements in early childhood classrooms. We are proud to
present them now at our museum theatre location at the
Smithsonian to encourage everyone to ‘get in on the act.’
Playing ‘pretend’ as characters in stories encourages
sequencing (What comes next?), verbal skills and
vocabulary (What color flowers? Why did it happen like
that?), math (How many cupcakes? Let’s count the pennies we need to buy the balloon!), pre-science (What do
we need to get these clothes clean?) and problem solving (Oh no! How can we help?). Each of these skills is
highlighted in plays that surround different themes (zoos, field trips, veterinarians, habitats, etc.).
‘CRAFT’ A PLAY! You can make what you saw on stage today. After our shows in schools, the Tools of Discovery ensemble
visits Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms to help classes craft some of the sets, props, and costumes, so they
can play family too. Using both readily available and recycled materials, we invite audiences to “play the
play” at home or in the classroom. Sing songs, make puppets, build forts, and use your imagination to bring
these classic stories to life.
JoJo’s Trip to the Zoo 3
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MAKE YOUR OWN ZOO – STARTING WITH THE ANIMALS! What kind of animals did Jojo come across in his trip to the zoo? Let’s start with a snake!
MATERIALS:
3 cardboard tubes
tube from wrapping paper or similar tubular item
6 googly eyes
Toothpick
White craft glue
Scissors
Acrylic craft paint in colors of your choice
DIRECTIONS:
1. Paint the inside and outside of the cardboard tubes. Apply second coat if needed.
2. Cut the tubes into coils, but if your cardboard is still a little damp it might not hold it’s round shape. Using a tube from wrapping paper, or something similar, and wrap the cut cardboard around the tube loosely. Use the handle end of a paintbrush to add polka dots with a contrasting color of paint. Let dry completely then flip over on the other side and finish your polka dots.
3. Remove from tube and wrap the painted cardboard in coil fashion around your fingers. Place coiled cardboard on table. Paint the end with red and let it dry. Meanwhile, glue on goggly eyes, adding the glue with a toothpick since they are small.
4. Now that the red paint is dry, use some small scissors to snip the red end into a forked tongue. An easier option, if your kids are smaller, is to cut a forked tongue from red construction paper, snip the end of the card board to cut off the point, and glue that paper tongue in place instead.
For more pictures, instructions, and crafts, please visit: https://craftsbyamanda.com/cardboard-tube-coiled-
snakes/
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MISS THE ZOO? MAKE SOME FUN, ZOO-THEMED FOODS!
OCTOPUS SOUP MATERIALS:
• 1 (16 ounce) package hot dogs
• 2 (48 ounce) containers chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh chives
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. With a sharp knife, cut the hot dogs in half the short way. Slice
each piece in half vertically, cutting about 3/4 of the way up towards
the rounded end. Leave about 1 inch of the rounded end as the head
of the octopus. Rotate the dog 90 degrees, and make another vertical
cut. Cut the 4 legs in half again, to make 8 legs and a head. The hot
dogs should look like tassels with rounded heads.
2. Bring the chicken broth and chives to a boil in a soup pot. Place the octopus hot dogs into the boiling soup,
and simmer for about 5 minutes. The legs will curl to make the octopus shape. Serve in bowls with an octopus
or 2 in each bowl.
For more fun recipes and instructions, please visit: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/216069/kids-octopus-
soup/print/?recipeType=Recipe&servings=8&isMetric=false
TIPS FROM THE TOOLS OF DISCOVERY TEAM
Don’t forget to decorate! Your materials can always use some child design — let their imaginations run
wild as they transform plain boxes, socks, and household items into theatre.
Always keep your toolbox nearby: a shoebox of crayons, markers, safe scissors, bits of cloth, yarn,
paper rolls, egg cartons, etc. Your Picasso will thank you.
Everybody plays! Don’t forget to play with your children and students — bring out your inner artist and
‘inner child’ and your real children will play better. You are their imagination role models. Just let your
child be the expert – support their ideas and help make them work.
Keep it simple! The point is to play together, have fun, and not try too hard. Look for when it is time
to stop — and put the theatre ‘props’ away for the next time. You are making your own toys.
Collect raw materials: old socks, clean paper plates or cups, cardboard, bits of packing materials, yarn
or ribbon from birthday parties – these all enrich your artist’s palette.
Crafting is a fun ‘waiting’ activity! Set your artist up with a goal, and time will pass more quickly.
Remember to leave time for clean-up. (Do you have a clean-up song? You should!)
Make the show come to life! This show is about family and, while the students can play in the centers
at school, they can also play in their actual rooms at home. Build a fort in the living room!
JoJo’s Trip to the Zoo 5
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ABOUT TOOLS OF DISCOVERY:
In 2013, Discovery Theater developed an innovative arts/education program for DCPS early education teachers and their students who are now implementing the “Tools of the Mind” curriculum. Derived from the theories of Lev Vygotsky, the curriculum uses guided play to promote early childhood literacy and the development of executive function, self-regulation, and creative thinking in pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. Using philosophies, techniques, and content drawn from Smithsonian-developed Museum Theatre practices and models, Vygotskian theory of play within a social context, and the Core Common State Standards; Tools of Discovery directors Roberta Gasbarre and Oran Sandel developed techniques that Smithsonian trained actor/educators employ to help teachers and parents enrich creative, guided play in class or at home. The Tools of Discovery team first presented these plays as part of the Kindergarten curriculum focus on storytelling through Fairy Tales. After the performances at the schools, our teaching artists conducted classroom 'playlabs'. They 'played the play' alongside the teachers, making props and costumes from recycled materials, singing the simple songs, and demonstrated dramatization that used objects or puppets as tools to tell the story. The residency was followed by a teacher debriefing to discuss how they might use what they had experienced in their own way, and Professional Development Workshops to further the teacher's skill. Jojo’s Trip to the Zoo brings these wonderful plays to the stage, keeping the DIY elements and offering Discovery Theater audiences the invitation to 'play the play' with us and back in classroom or home, with the children.
RESOURCES:
http://www.educatall.com/page/449/Veterinarians.html Educatall has great ideas for Vet themed crafts, songs, and activities that can be done at school or at
home.
http://www.amazon.com/Want-Veterinarian-Be-Book/dp/0307131165
In Tom Cooke’s book, I Want to be a Veterinarian, classic Sesame Street characters teach kids about
what it takes to be a veterinarian.
http://www.enslow.com/series/my_first_pet_bilingual_library_from_the_american_humane_associatio
n/12#.VwvwaU8rKig
This collection of “My First Pet” books from the American Humane society also has a bilingual option!
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/family/pets/index.html
PBS Kids has a great site about how to be a good pet owner, complete with pet fun facts and advice
on how to choose the right pet for you!
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Our Location
The S. Dillon Ripley Center, 3rd Sublevel
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20024
Mailing Address
Discovery Theater
P.O. Box 23293
Washington, DC 20026
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 633-8700
Fax: (202) 633-1322
Office hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00am - 4:30pm
OUR MISSION: “THE INCREASE AND DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE”
Smithsonian Associates advances the Institution’s mission through life-enriching educational and cultural
experiences inspired by the Smithsonian’s research and collections for DC-region students, families, and
adults, and for learning communities nationwide.
Discovery Theater has been presenting DC-area children with live educational performances for almost 40
years. With programs that enrich the Smithsonian experience for nearly 50,000 children annually,
Discovery Theater is a gateway to the exhibits, collections, and themes contained in the museums and
galleries on the National Mall and beyond. We explore American history and cultures, folk tales from
around the world, and exciting, accessible science and math programs in the company of puppeteers,
storytellers, dancers, actors, and musicians. Discovery Theater performances unite ideologies, enact
themes that reflect the diversity of its audiences, open avenues of self-reflection, and offer an enjoyable
means for parents and teachers to demonstrate life’s lessons. There’s so much to do and explore at the
Smithsonian—and Discovery Theater is the ideal place to begin!