Synopsis
It's the last night of Mother Goose's Character Camp, and our Nursery Rhymers are eager to share what they've learned. Will Miss Muffet
and the Spider be able to make amends after that whole curds-and-whey incident? Did Pussycat really go to London to visit the Queen, or was she covering
up an afternoon snooze? And it's okay to bring farm animals to school if it makes the children laugh and play, right? Right? Maybe not.
Find out from the Nursery Rhymers as they sing all about important character lessons.
Key Concepts
Character Education
Mother Goose's Character Camp covers the following character-building topics:
- Kindness
- Perseverance/Trying Hard
- Honesty
- Apologizing/Forgiving
- Sharing/Fairness
- Following Important Rules
- The Golden Rule
Language Arts/Social Studies
Mother Goose's Character Camp also refers to and reinforces students' familiarity with the following famous characters and nursery rhymes:
- Mother Goose
- Little Bo Peep
- Jack and Jill *
- Peter Piper
- Itsy Bitsy (or Eensy Weensy) Spider *
- Pussycat (where have you been?) *
- Jack Be Nimble
- Mary Had a Little Lamb *
- Mary Mary, Quite Contrary
- Humpty Dumpty
- Little Miss Muffet *
- Baa, Baa, Black Sheep *
(The major messages and characters in Mother Goose's Character Camp come from the rhymes asterisked above, which are included as part of the script.
The other rhymes are referenced in the dialogue.)
Filled with catchy songs and simple, humorous lines, Mother Goose's Character Camp is a great way to introduce character education to younger
students and explore nursery rhymes in both language arts and social studies contexts. And, like all of our plays, this show can be used to improve reading, vocabulary, reading
comprehension, performance and music skills, class camaraderie and teamwork, and numerous social skills (read about it!)
-- all while enabling students to be part of a truly fun and creative experience they will never forget!
Publication Information
Author: John Heath and Lisa Adams (Book and Lyrics) and Mike Fishell (Composer)
ISBN: 978-1-886588-62-2
© 2014 Bad Wolf Press, LLC
Song Samples
Casting
Flexible casting from 8-40 students. All songs are sung by the entire cast.
There are four Counselor parts and thirteen lines for Campers, but these roles can be changed and lines distributed any way you like.
One student can play several roles if needed, and individual roles can be doubled up. Mother (or Father) Goose can be split into two parts or
even played by the teacher. And all roles can be played by either boys or girls.
CHARACTERS:
Mother Goose
Camp Counselors (4)
Campers (13)
Spider
Pussycat
Miss Muffet
Script
This is the first third of the script.
(CLASS enters and takes its places, perhaps with a bit of noise and excitement. CAMP COUNSELORS step forward.)
CAMP COUNSELOR #1 (wearing baseball cap, with a whistle around neck. Blows whistle, and CLASS comes to order): Okay, campers. Settle down.
This is your last night at Mother Goose's Character Camp. Please give it up for Mother Goose!
(CLASS applauds as MOTHER GOOSE steps forward)
MOTHER GOOSE: Thank you, Nursery Rhymers. You've made me very proud this week, trying so hard to treat each other well.
Let's give a round of applause to your amazing camp counselors!
(ALL except COUNSELORS applaud)
CAMP COUNSELOR #2: Thank you, Mother Goose. Our campers can't wait to share with you everything they've learned.
CAMP COUNSELOR #3: So let's get started right away with Little Bo Peep.
(pause as everyone looks around)
Hey, where's Little Bo Peep?
CAMPER #1: Looking for her sheep. She lost them.
COUNSELOR #3: Again? That's seven times!
CAMPER #2: It's what she does.
CAMP COUNSELOR #4 (looking at clipboard): Okay, let's go with, uhÉ Jack and Jill! What happened to them, and what did we learn?
CLASS (chants):
Jack and Jill
Went up the hill,
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down,
And broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.
Song 1 -
Listen to a clip now!
CLASS (sings):
We know the tale of Jack and Jill
They slipped and took a nasty spill
They fell and let out quite a yelp
Come on, let's go, they need our help.
Let's help them both back on their feet
And give them something good to eat
We'll mend their pail as good as new
And fix Jack's crown with Super Glue*.
Be kind
Be kind
Help folks in a bind
Step on up and do what you can do.
Be kind
Be kind
Soon you're gonna find
Other people will be kind to you.
So what's the moral of this tale
Of Jack and Jill and their sad pail?
Next time they're eager for a drink
Maybe they should use the sink!
Be kind
Be kind
Help folks in a bind
Step on up and do what you can do.
Be kind
Be kind
Soon you're gonna find
Other people will be kind to you.
Other people will be kind to you.
COUNSELOR #1: As we've seen at camp, there are many ways to show good character.
COUNSELOR #2: One is working hard and trying your very best.
COUNSELOR #3: Take Peter Piper. He didn't stop until he'd picked a whole peck of pickled peppers!
CAMPER #3: What IS a peck?
(ENTIRE CLASS looks at each other and shrugs.)
MOTHER GOOSE: Nobody knows, dear. The important thing is that he kept trying.
COUNSELOR #4: Just like our Itsy Bitsy Spider.
CLASS (chants/sings):
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.
SPIDER: That's right! You think a little rain can stop these lightning-fast legs? (runs in place) Not a chance!
Song 2 -
Listen to a clip now!
CLASS (sings):
The spider kept on trying
When the raindrops washed him out.
The spider kept on trying
And he didn't quit or pout.
If the spider can do it
I can do it too
Try my hardest every time is what I have to do.
(CLASS rocks out)
You're too little is what they said.
Give up now, go back to bed.
No! said the spider, no no no!
I can do it and I'll show you so!
Get the memo, it's time to stop.
You're washed out and you're washed up.
No! said the spider, no no no!
I can do it and I'll show you so!
The spider kept on trying
When the raindrops washed him out.
The spider kept on trying
And he didn't quit or pout.
If the spider can do it
I can do it too
Try my hardest every time is what I have to do.
COUNSELOR #1 (looking at clipboard): Now let's hear from the Pussycat.
COUNSELOR #2: I haven't seen Pussycat today.
PUSSYCAT (standing up/entering): Here I am!
CLASS:
Pussycat, pussycat,
Where have you been?
PUSSYCAT:
I've been to London
To visit the Queen.
COUNSELOR #3: Really? You've been in London?
COUNSELOR #4: Did you get the Queen's autograph?
PUSSYCAT: Well, no. I lied. I've been in the mess hall sleeping under a table.
CLASS (shouts): Pussycat! You need to tell the truth!
(This concludes the first third of the script.)
Common Core and Other National Standards
Character Education
Language Arts
- Common Core Reading Standards for Literature: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
- Common Core Reading Standards: Foundational Skills:
- K and 1st: Phonological Awareness, Phonics and Word Recognition
- 2nd: Phonics and Word Recognition
- Common Core Speaking and Listening Standards: Comprehension and Collaboration - K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
- Common Core Language Standards: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use - K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
- Common Core Standard 10: Range, Quality & Complexity: Range of Text Types for K-5th
History/Social Studies
National Core Arts Standards
Vocabulary
General Vocabulary-Building (words and expressions)
| peck (n.) |
washed up |
autograph |
mess hall |
(get the) memo |
| stopper |
whopper |
stressed |
fireproof |
contrary |
| rutabaga |
tuffet |
dame |
generosity |
curds and whey |
| recap |
clout |
swap |
|
|
Q:
Will the digital download have an audio recording for the play, which has all the songs both WITH and WITHOUT vocals or is it just the songs?
December 15, 2014 11:42 PM
A:
Yes, the digital download includes all tracks that are on the CD—the vocal versions first, then the instrumental versions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Wolf Products and Licensing
How does your pricing and licensing work?
A: In short: each teacher/director using the play should have a copy of it. That's it! Your purchase gives you the right to use the play with as many classes as you wish, to photocopy the script for your actors, and to put on as many performances as you wish. This one-time purchase gives you a lifetime license. See below for more information on site licenses (for 3+ teachers or whole schools).
Q: What comes in the package?
A: Every musical play comes with the script and a 12-page Teacher's Guide that provides lots of tips and advice for using the play from start to finish. It also includes the audio recording for the play, which has all the songs both WITH and WITHOUT vocals. Sheet music is NOT included with the basic package, but it is available for $12. Extra/replacement CDs are also available for $12.
Every non-musical play comes with the script and the 12-page Teacher's Guide.
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Nope! The discount applies whether you are purchasing multiple copies of the same show or single copies of multiple shows.
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There is no difference in terms of content. The printed version of a musical play comes with an audio CD in a plastic sleeve in the back of the book. The digital version comes with two downloadable files: the script (PDF format) and the songs (individual MP3 files compressed in ZIP format). The advantage of the digital version is that you will not pay shipping and you can start using it instantly. Please read the question following this one about the technical requirements for digital files.
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Advanced technical knowledge is not required; but please note that we do not have the ability to offer technical support for issues related to digital files. If you are unsure, it is probably best to stick with the printed version.
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Q: Is it OK if I edit the script?
A: Yes! Consider the play to be a jumping-off point. You are always welcome to change or omit anything that doesn't work for your class, administration, or parents. You are welcome to rewrite
lyrics, lines, or jokes -- or add your own! (The kids love doing this, by the way.)
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