tears of joy theatre presents malika, queen of the...
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Tears of Joy Theatre presents Malika, Queen of the Cats Tears of Joy Theatre Tears of Joy Theatre brings amazing puppet theatre to audiences throughout the U.S. and abroad. Founded in 1971, the theatre is recognized nationally for its commitment to excellence and innovation. Four of the theatre’s productions have received American puppetry’s highest honor, the Citation of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry. The mission of Tears of Joy Theatre is to produce, develop and present puppet theatre that celebrates the diversity of world cultures, and to teach children and enrich their lives by helping them experience, create and perform art with professional artists. About this Story and Cultural Background Our play is based on the book Sitti and the Cats written by Sally Bahous who grew up in Palestine. The book was copyright in 1993 by Sally Bahous and published by Roberts Rinehart Publishers, in Boulder, CO. From Sitt i and the Cats by Sally Bahous: “Palestinian fairy tales appear designed to teach children as well as to entertain them. These fairy tales dwell on what is socially accepted and necessary for village life. Sharing with neighbors is almost a necessity in small villages for the survival of all, as is friendliness. Good is defined as putting the good of the community and others before self. Evil is often defined as selfishness. Reality is often harsh and to soften that reality, there is a “what if” element of make believe. The magic always works for good, for the betterment of some character that deserves a better life.” This tale takes place hundreds of years ago when Palestine was part of a large empire. The current boundaries in the Middle East (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia) did not occur until after World War I when the empire of the Ottoman Turks was divided into individual countries. Since 1948, much of the land of Palestine has become part of the State of Israel. Palestinian people speak Arabic. Some Palestinian people are Christians and others are Muslims (following the religion of Islam). Cats are important creatures in Islamic culture. According to one story, Muhammad, the founder of the religion of Islam, was so fond of cats that when one fell asleep on the sleeve of his shirt, he cut off the sleeve rather than wake the cat. About the Production Malika, Queen of the Cats is performed using rod puppets. The puppeteers will be sitting on stools and operating puppets held above their heads. The puppeteers will not be seen. There will also be some shadow puppets used in the cave of the cats. For more information and pictures from the performance, visit: http://www.tojt.org/schools/assemblies/malika-queen-of-the-cats/
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Music The Middle Eastern music that accompanies Malika, Queen of the Cats, was composed and recorded by Al Andalus Ensemble. This group specializes in music of the Middle East and tour extensively to schools as well. They use two special instruments: the oud is a stringed instrument that preceded the guitar, and the tabla is a drum. Characters Sitti A kind, generous, contented old woman (Sitti also means grandmother) Im Yusef Sharp tongued next door neighbor (means “Mother of Yusef”) Latifah Daughter-in-law of Im Yusef Ali Sitti’s kind neighbor Yasmine Eight-year-old girl Nahid Five-year-old boy Malika Queen of the Cats (Malika means “queen” in Arabic) Leila A precocious kitten (Leila means “night” in Arabic) Hassan A cat servant to Malika Dancing Cats Stiltwalker Cat Whirling Cat Chickens Bees Wasps Vocabulary Olives Small fruit used both for making oil and for eating Olive Trees Trees with gnarled trunks that are easy to climb Turkish Delight A very sweet candy made with pistachio nuts and dusted with
powdered sugar. (Also a favorite with Edmund in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Arabic bread Round loaves of flat bread are called “pita” in America. Dabkhe A traditional Palestinian folk dance (performed by the cats in our play).
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Tears of Joy Theatre’s Malika, Queen of the Cats Curriculum Guide About this Guide: Hello teachers! We hope you enjoy this study guide and use it to increase your students’ overall experience of Middle Eastern Culture in relation to Malika, Queen of the Cats. The goal of this guide is to increase curriculum connections, further students’ understanding of Middle Eastern culture and folk tales, and provide supplemental activities and lessons that enhance their attendance to a Tears of Joy’s Assembly. Five engaging lessons and activities are provided below. At the end of this guide you will also find supplemental material for you to freely use in conjunction with each lesson. Pick and choose any of these fun activities and enjoy! Concept objectives: 1. Students will understand how to read and recognize literature and art as records of human experience.
2. Students will report on a topic, refer to the story, and recount appropriate facts using descriptive details.
3. Students will understand historical, cultural, and geographical context.
Introduction Why Teach World Cultures through Folk Tales? “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin Folk Tales bring cultures to life. They are oral stories that have been passed down through many generations to help people explain the world around them. They reflect the essence of a culture. By exposing your students to world folk tales, they will grow to appreciate the diversity within the world, while examining the common threads that connect us all. By attending a Tears of Joy performance of Malika, Queen of the Cats, your students will experience the Palestine culture. Questions to ask students:
1. Has any one ever heard any folk tales? How were they different? The same? 2. How are folk tales different than fairy tales?
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Language Arts
Lesson 1 KWL Chart Supplemental page # 9 Introduction: A KWL chart compares students’ prior knowledge of a subject to what they learn as a result of this curriculum guide and their attendance to the performance. Lesson Activity 1.1
1. Teachers print out or have students create a KWL Chart (pg. 9) 2. BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE - Students fill out the first two columns.
a. 5 facts they already KNOW about Middle Eastern Culture. b. 5 concepts/facts they WANT to learn more about.
3. Students complete the following activities and attend Malika, Queen of the Cats. 4. AFTER THE PERFORMANCE - Students complete the last column in the KWL chart with
5 interesting facts of what they LEARNED Supplemental Questions:
1. How much do you feel you already knew about Middle Eastern culture before this lesson?
2. How has your understanding about the Middle East increased? Lesson 2 Understanding the story Story map, writing activity Supplemental Page #10 Introduction: Malika, Queen of the Cats tells a tale about generosity, kindness, and a whole bunch of special cats. The story depicts a common story of kind acts being rewarded and selfishness punished. Lesson Activity 2.1
1. AFTER THE PERFORMANCE - Teacher distributes the Supplemental page #10 or has students create their own story map.
a. WRITING ACTIVITY - Students depict characters, setting, and events (through drawing and writing) that happened in the story in the squares given.
Supplemental Questions:
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1. How do the characters Sitti and Im Yusef differ? How are they the same? 2. What acts of kindness did Sitti perform? How was she rewarded? 3. What happened when Im Yusef visited the home of the cats? What happened when
she returned home? Lesson 3 Generosity and Kindness Writing activity Supplemental pages #12, 13 Introduction: In Malika, Queen of the Cats, the character Sitti is rewarded for her generosity and kindness. Even when blessed with riches, Sitti thinks of others before herself. Lesson Activity 3.1
1. AFTER THE PERFORMANCE - Teacher asks students to reflect on Sitti’s acts of kindness and generosity, perhaps making a list.
2. Students reflect on what acts of kindness they have performed. a. WRITING ACTIVITY- Students write about an act of kindness. (page #12)
3. Teacher asks this question to all students “If you were awarded $1000, what would you do with this money? Who would you share it with?”
a. WRITING ACTIVITY: Students write their answers and/or draw pictures.(page #13)
History and Social Studies A brief history of Palestine Positioned between Europe, Asia and Africa, the region of Palestine was known as “The Cradle of Civilization.” The area was a land bridge between the powerful countries of Egypt and Mesopotamia. In fact, “The International Coastal Highway” ran through Palestine and was an important link to trade, commerce and culture. Agricultural conditions were also favorable in this area, leading to it being called “The Fertile Crescent.” Due to its key location, Palestine has been historically troubled with conflict and warfare. Since very early times, numerous empires have waged war for possession of the area’s trade routes, agriculture, and religious primacy.
Lesson 4
Geography Supplemental Materials provided, pg. 14 Introduction: Geography teaches students understanding of the diverse and interconnected world in which they live. Students will view and draw simple maps and pictures, identify major physical
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features, and compare physical features with other countries around the world. Palestine lies on the eastern Mediterranean, between Egypt to the south and Syria to the north. Few other countries possess geography as varied as Palestine's. Mountains, fertile plains and valleys, coastal regions, rivers, deserts and wilderness cover the region. Lesson Activity 4.1
1. Teachers present a world map for the students, pointing out Palestine and surrounding countries.
2. Teachers print out the available map (pg. 14) and have the students locate the indicated locations.
Supplemental Questions:
1. Where does Malika, Queen of the Cats take place? 2. How does the geography of Palestine differ from the geography of Oregon?
Lesson 5 Middle Eastern Culture Supplemental Materials, pages # 15, 16, 17 Introduction: Students will identify how culture is reflected in dress, architecture, and music. Lesson Activity 5.1 Middle Eastern Dress Supplemental Activity page #15
1. Teachers print and distribute the textile pattern page and asks students to design their own patterns. (Supplemental page #15)
Lesson Activity 5.2 Middle Eastern Music Supplemental Activity page # 16 Music from Malika, Queen of the Cats was composed by Al Andalus Ensemble. To schedule an assembly, residency, or to buy a CD visit: http://www.andalus.com
1. DURING THE PERFORMANCE- Students listen to the music during the production and listen for the individual instruments.
a. Oud – pear-shaped stringed instrument. b. Tabla – a hand drum, often a set of two or more with various tones.
2. Teacher shows pictures of instruments (Supplemental page #16 ) or plays music and asks students to compare the oud and tabla with instruments that are familiar to them.
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Lesson Activity 5.3 Middle Eastern Dance http://youtu.be/aIZJFFqboGs
1. Teacher shows the class one of the videos or describes the Dabke. 2. DURING THE PERFORMANCE – Students watch for the Dabke in the
performance. 3. Teacher leads the class in their own Dabke.
a. Always starts with your left foot b. Moves toward the left c. On a set of 6 counts.
4. HAVE FUN! Lesson Activity 5.4 Middle Eastern Architecture Supplemental Activity page #17
1. DURING THE PERFORMANCE – Students look at the forms of architecture presented in the play. Ask them to pay specific attention to the interior of Malika’s home and the houses depicted in the village.
2. Teacher shows pictures of Middle Eastern architecture and/or prints out the supplemental page (#17).
Supplemental Questions
1. What clothing items did Sitti, Malika and other characters in the play wear? 2. How did Sitti’s and Malika’s costumes differ? 3. How does Middle Eastern clothing differ than modern American clothing? 4. What instruments could you hear during the play? How are these instruments different
from or the same as instruments you are familiar with? 5. Describe the buildings seen in Malika, Queen of the Cats. What do these houses tell
us about those who live in them?
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Further Reading and Resources Sitti and the Cats: A Tale of Friendship / by Sally Bahous Allen; illustrated by Nancy Malick Tunjur! Tunjur! Tunjur!: A Palestinian Folktale / by Margaret Read MacDonald; illustrated by Alik Arzoumanian Internet Resources Teaching the Middle East, a Resource for Educators http://teachmiddleeast.lib.uchicago.edu/ Understanding Folk Tales and their Philanthropic Connections http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit226/lesson1.html Palestine clothing http://www.raqs.co.nz/me/clothing_palestine.html History of Palestine http://www.israel-‐a-‐history-‐of.com/history-‐of-‐palestine.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYxQMbsmPaw
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Supplemental Activity page 1.1 KWL Chart
MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURE
What do you already
KNOW?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What do you
WANT to learn?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What have you
LEARNED?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Supplemental Activity 2.1
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Language Arts Story Map
Malika, Queen of the Cats
Resolution
Conflict/Plot Title
Main Characters
Supporting Characters
Setting
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Supplemental Activity 3.1
Random Acts of Kindness
Draw a picture of a t ime when you were kind to someone.
Write a story about a time you were KIND to someone.
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Supplemental Activity 3.3
I’ve won $1000! When Sitti is granted treasures by Malika, she shares her riches with those she loves.
How would you share your prize with others?
Draw a picture of…
What you’d get for yourself What you would get for others
List 3 items you would get for yourself.
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
List 3 items you would give to others.
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
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Supplemental Activity 4.1
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Supplemental Activity 5.1 Middle Eastern Dress
Palestinian clothing is typically embroidered with specific patterns that tell a story. Looking at the following patterns, design your own embroidery pattern on the tunic.
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Supplemental Activity Page 5.2 Middle Eastern Music
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Supplemental Activity 5.4 Middle Eastern Architecture