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Bremen Town Musicians (Part 2)

1/23/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
Originally, the house belonged to robbers, and there were a number of them inside eating and drinking much.
The four comrades thought and discussed a way to get in and get a delicious meal. Their method was this: the donkey used his front legs to step onto the window sill. The dog climbed onto the donkey's back. The cat climbed onto the dog's neck, and the rooster stood on the cat's head.
”One, two, three, start to make music!" The donkey brayed; the cat called out; the rooster screeched; and the dog barked: bray, bray, bray, meow, squawk, squawk, bow wow, bow wow! The robbers were horrified. Each one scurried off into the forest.
The four comrades were very happy. They entered the building and commenced eating and drinking beer. When they had eaten and drank their fill, the four musicians made themselves comfortable, turned off the lights, and went to sleep. The donkey lay upon the trash heap; the dog reclined behind the door; the cat soaked up heat from the stove, and the rooster perched upon the roof of the house. 
The robbers returned; they first sent one of them to turn on the light. He thought the cat's eye was the shining of a hot coal. The cat jumped into the man's face; scared, the man promptly ran out the door. While taking a step, he felt pain from the dog's claws, and the dog bit his thigh. He yelled out running near the trash heap. The donkey, using his back leg, vigorously kicked him. The rooster woke up with a start. Standing upon the roof, he called out loudly: cock-a-doodle-do!
Frightened in mind and body, the robber ran out to see his leader. "Impossible, the house has a number of demons, too horrifying!" The robbers were afraid to run into demons, so they went to another place. 
The four musicians canceled their planned trip to Bremen Town. They were happy to stay.

Introductory Discussion Questions
What would be an ideal retirement plan?
What different plan could be nice enough to cause you to change your mind?
What kinds of things could scare you away from your house?
Under what circumstances would you return or not return to your house?
Do you believe in haunted houses? Why or why not?

Sounds Animals Make Discussion
In pairs or groups, have students discuss the following questions.
What sounds do common animals make in your first language?
Do you know what sounds common animals make in English?
Make the different animals sounds, and note the differences between languages. What do the differences reveal about languages?

Synonym Matching
house                                                         scared
robbers                                                      ran away
comrades                                                  home
discussed                                                  thieves
delicious                                                     tasty
horrified                                                    planned
scurried off                                               companions


Antonym Matching A
entered                                                       cold
commenced                                               exited
comfortable                                               stood
turned off                                                   slowly
reclined                                                      turned on
hot                                                              uncomfortable
promptly                                                    stopped

Antonym Matching B
yelled out                                                   quietly
vigorously                                                  slept on
woke up                                                     to leave
loudly                                                         kept silent
leader                                                         follower
impossible                                                 lazily
to stay                                                        possible

Listening Blank Fill

Originally, the house belonged to robbers, and there _________ a number of robbers inside eating and drinking _________.
The four comrades thought and discussed a way __________ get in and get a delicious meal. Their ____________ was this: the donkey used his front legs to __________ onto the window sill. The dog climbed onto __________ donkey's back. The cat climbed onto the dog's ___________, and the rooster stood on the cat's head.
”_________, two, three, start to make music!" The ___________ brayed; the cat called out; the rooster screeched; _________ the dog barked: bray, bray, meow, meow, squawk, squawk, bow wow, bow wow! The _____________ were horrified. Each one scurried off __________ the forest
.

Multiple Choice
The four comrades 1.(was, were, is, have) very happy. They entered the building and commenced eating and 2.(drink, drank, drinking) beer. When they had eaten and drank their fill, the four musicians 3.(made, make, to make) themselves comfortable, turned 4.(on, down, off) the lights, and went to sleep. The donkey lay upon the trash heap; the dog reclined 5.(on, behind, below) the door; the cat soaked up heat 6.(in, on, from) the stove, and the rooster perched upon the roof of the house. 
The robbers returned; they first sent one of them to turn 7.(up, on, off) the light. He thought the cat's eye was the shining of a hot coal. The cat 8.(jumped, jump, jumping) into the man's face; scared, the man promptly ran out the door. While 9.(took, taking, take) a step, he felt pain from the dog's claws, and the dog bit his thigh. He yelled out running near the trash heap. The donkey, using his back leg, vigorously kicked him. The rooster woke 10.(up, down, in) with a start. Standing upon the roof, he called out loudly: cock-a-doodle-do!
11.(frightening, frighten, frightened) in mind and body, the robber ran out to see his leader.
"Impossible, the house has a 12.(number, some, many) of demons, 13.(to, too, two) horrifying!" The robbers were afraid to run into demons, so they went to another place. 
The four musicians 14.(canceled, canceling, cancel) their planned trip to Bremen Town. They were happy to stay.


Pair Work Discussion Questions
A
What did you think of this story?
Why do you think the robbers tried to come back?
If the four musicians had continued to Bremen Town, do you think they would have been successful there? Why or why not?
Have you ever been bitten or kicked by an animal? What happened?
How do you think a story like this could have gotten started?

B
Why do you think this story is popular around the world?
Why do you think the four musicians were happy to cancel their plans and stay in the house?
What do you think the moral of this story could be?
Have you ever been scared by an animal? What happened?
Who were more foolish, the robbers or the animals? Explain.


Research and Writing
Using the Internet, research the Bremen Town fairy tale. Below are some possible questions to research.
Where does the story originate?
How old is the story?
Are there any modern adaptations of the story?
Write about your findings, and be prepared to share.

Chinese Version
原来这是一座强盗的房子,几个强盗正在屋里大吃大喝呢! 它们想商量一个办法,进屋去饱餐一顿。
办法有了-----驴子把前腿伸到窗台上,够爬到驴子的背上,猫起到够的脖子上,公鸡站在猫头上。“一,二,三,开始奏乐!” 驴子吼,猫叫,鸡鸣,狗吠。嘎嘎!喵喵!喔喔!汪汪!强盗们吓坏了,一个个抱头往森林里逃去。四个伙伴真高兴,进屋去有吃菜,有喝酒。吃饱喝足以后,四个音乐家按自己的习惯熄灯睡觉了。驴子躺在粪对上,狗卧在门后边,猫靠在炉子边,公鸡蹲在屋梁上。
强盗们回来了,他们先派一个人去点灯,他把猫眼睛当成了发亮的没球。猫跳到他脸上,有咬又抓,他吓得连忙往门外逃。他一下踩痛了狗爪子,狗咬伤了他的大腿。他喊叫着逃到粪堆边,驴子扬起后腿狠狠地踢他。公鸡惊醒了,站在屋梁上大声叫着:“喔喔!喔喔!”
强盗心惊肉跳地去见头目:“不得了啦,屋里有几个妖怪,太可怕了!强盗们怕遇上妖怪,逃到别处去了,四个音乐家取消了去不来梅镇的计划,快乐地住下来。

Exercise Answers
Synonym Matching: house-->home, robbers-->thieves, comrades-->companions, discussed-->planned, delicious-->tasty, horrified-->scared, scurried off-->ran away,

Antonym Matching A: entered-->exited, commenced-->stopped,
comfortable-->uncomfortable, turned off-->turned on, reclined-->stood, hot-->cold, 
promptly-->slowly.
Antonym Matching B: yelled out-->kept silent, vigorously-->lazily, woke up, slept on, loudly-->quietly, leader-->follower, impossible-->possible, to stay-->to leave.

Listening Blank Fill: were, much, to, method, step, the, neck, One, donkey, and, robbers, into.
Multiple Choice: 1. were, 2. drinking, 3. made, 4. off, 5. behind, 6. from, 7. on, 8. jumped, 9. taking, 10. up, 11. frightened, 12. number, 13. too.


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Bremen Town Musicians Part 1 (Grimm Brothers)

11/19/2016

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Picture
Long ago, there was a man who raised a donkey. Every day, the donkey worked hard at the mill to grind wheat. Little by little the donkey became old using up his energy. The owner began to plan on putting the donkey away. The donkey ran away. He was overcome by the remembrance of the musicians in Bremen Town--just happiness!
​
On the road, the donkey ran into a dog lying by the side of the road yawning.
The donkey walked over to give greetings. "Brother dog, it seems you are weary?"
The dog said: "I am old, and can't go hunting anymore. My master will drive me away!"
"Come on, we can go to Bremen Town together; I'll play, and you can do the drums!" The donkey sympathized with the dog a great deal. The dog thought well of the idea and happily went with the donkey, continually wagging his tail.
On the way, they ran into a cat. The cat by the side of the road was very anxious! 
The donkey asked: "Old Whiskers, did something unfortunate happen?" 
The cat answered, "I'm old, and I love to sit next to the stove and snore. My mistress wants to drown me!"
"Let's go, we can all go to Bremen Town together; your singing of tunes isn't bad!" The donkey, dog, and cat went onward. 
On the road, they all ran into a rooster. "Dear rooster, it looks as if you have also experienced something bad?" The donkey asked. 
The rooster said: "My heartless lady said that she wants to kill and serve me to her guests." 
"Let's go; we can go to Brennan town. You are a star tenor; receive our welcome!" 
That evening, they entered a forest preparing to spend the night under a large tree. The rooster flew to the top of a tree; he saw off in the distance a flash of sparks. The four comrades had a discussion. They decided to go to the place of the light and find something to eat. 

Introductory Animal Discussion

Can you name these four animals?
Which one would you most like to have as a pet? Why?
Which animal would be most useful in its old age? Why?
Which animal would be least useful in its old age? Why? 
Which of these four animals could make the best musician? Why? 

Music Discussion
In pairs or groups, allow students to discuss music: their favorite, least favorite, singers they like/dislike, etc. 

Synonym Matching
​snore                                                                   beside
putting away                                                       snuffle during sleep                                                              
ran into                                                                killing
by the side                                                          forward
weary                                                                   to meet
anxious                                                               worried
unfortunate                                                        unhappy 
onward                                                               tired

Antonym Matching
long ago                                                              head                                                                  
worked hard                                                      nothing
ran away                                                             apart             

happiness                                                           recently
old                                                                       worked lazily 

together                                                             bottom
tail                                                                       rejected 
top                                                                      new

welcome                                                             sadness
something                                                         stayed home


Listening Blank Fill
Long ago, there was a man who raised a ___________. Every day, the donkey worked hard at the ________ to grind wheat. Little by little the donkey ___________ old using up his energy. The owner began to _________ on putting the donkey away. The donkey ran __________. He was overcome by the remembrance of the _________________ in Bremen Town--just happiness!
On the road, ________ donkey ran into a dog lying by the _________ of the road yawning.
The donkey walked over ______ give greetings. "Brother dog, it seems you are __________?"
The dog said: "I am old, and can't ______ hunting anymore. My master will drive me away!"
"__________ on, we can go to Bremen Town together; _______ play, and you can do the drums!" The donkey _______________ with the dog a great deal. The dog ____________ well of the idea and happily went with the donkey, _______________ wagging his tail.

Word Bank Fill in the Blank
On the way, they ran into a cat. The cat by the _________ of the road was very anxious! 
The donkey __________: "Old Whiskers, did something unfortunate ___________?" 
The cat answered, "I'm old, and I love to sit next to the stove and __________. My mistress wants to drown me!"
"Let's go, we can all go to Bremen Town _____________; your singing of tunes isn't bad!" The donkey, dog, and cat went ___________. 
On the road, they all ran _________ a rooster. "Dear rooster, it looks as if you have also experienced something bad?" The donkey ____________. 
The rooster said: "My heartless lady said that she wants to kill and serve me to her ___________." 
"Let's go; we can go to Brennan __________. You are a star tenor; receive our welcome!" 
That evening, they entered a forest preparing to spend the night under a large _________. The rooster flew to the ________ of a tree; he saw off in the distance a flash of sparks. The four comrades had a discussion. They decided to go to the place of the light and __________ something to eat. 
together
asked
tree
into
side
happen
snore
onward
asked
guests
top
town
find
​

Pair Work Discussion Questions
A
How does the donkey want to enjoy the last years of his life?
What would you like to do during your retirement? 
Would it be fun to try to change jobs and become a musician? Why or why not?
Have you ever had one of these animals? What was it like?
Do yo like the forest? Would you like to spend the night in one?
B
Do you have any retirement plans? What are they?
What do you think should be done for animals that grow old?
If you could change carreers, what carreer would you choose? 
Have you ever had one of these animals? What was it like?
Is there any place you remember that makes you feel happy? Can you decribe the place? 

Story Word Puzzle
Across
1. We like to sing and play instuments.
2. I like to catch mice.
3. I am small but can carry a heavy load.
4. We are visitors.
Down
1. A useful word that means a thing.

2. I am sometimes called man's best friend.
3. I like to wake people up in the morning.  
Picture
Debate
Divide the class into teams.
Team A believes cats make the best pets.
Team B believes dogs make the best pets.
Allow teams time to develop their arguments.
Each team takes turns presenting their arguments.
The team with the best and most arguments wins! 
​
Writing 
Using their imaginations, instruct students to write a creative conclusion to this story. They should be prepared to share it next class. 

(Chinese Version)

从前有一个人 , 养了一头驴子 , 驴子每天辛苦地在磨仿里磨麦子. 驴子渐渐老了 , 力气用完了 , 主人便打算
把它杀掉. 驴子逃跑了, 它想到不来梅镇上当音乐家 , 那才开心呢! 半路上 , 驴子遇到了一条狗 , 正躺在路边打呵欠. "狗兄弟 , 看样子你挺疲乏?" 驴子走上去打招呼. 狗说: "我老了, 不能去打猎 , 主人就把我赶出来了!
唉......" "走 吧 , 我们一同到不 来梅镇上去 , 我弹琴 , 你打鼓!" 驴子很同情狗.

​狗非常乐意地跟着驴子走了 , 它高兴得直摇尾巴. 路上它们又遇到一只猫 , 猫正在路边发愁呢! 驴子问: "长胡子老兄 , 你有什么不顺心的事吗?" 猫说:"我老了 , 爱坐在火炉边打呼噜 , 主人要淹死我呢!" "走吧 , 我们一同去不来梅镇 , 你的小曲唱得很不错!" 驴子,狗,猫一同往前走去。

路上,它们又遇到 一只公鸡。“红冠子先生,你好像也有不如意的事儿吧?”驴子问。公鸡说:“狠心的主妇说了,要杀我招待客人呢!” “走吧,到不来梅镇上去吧,你是男高音歌星,准受欢迎!”
晚上,它们来到了一个森林里,准备在一棵大树下过夜。公鸡飞到树尖上,它看见远处有一点火星在闪光。四个伙伴经过一番商量,决定到有亮光的地方去找点吃的。
​
Exercise Answers:
​
Synonym Matching: snore-->snuffle during sleep, putting away-->killing, ran into-->to meet, by the side-->beside, weary-->tired, anxious-->worried, unfortunate-->unhappy, onward-->forward.
​
Antonym Matching: long ago-->recently, worked hard-->worked lazily, ran away-->stayed home, happiness-->sadness, old-->new, together-->apart, tail-->head, top-->bottom, welcome-->rejected, something-->nothing. 
Listening Blank Fill: donkey, mill, became, plan, away, musicians, the, side, to, weary, go, Come, I'll, sympathyzed, thought, continually.
Word Bank Fill in the Blank:
 side, asked, happen, snore, together, onward, into, asked, guests, town, tree, top, find.
Story Word Puzzle: Across: 1. musicians 2. cat 3. donkey 4. guests 
Down: 1. something 2. dog 3. rooster
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Three Brothers (Grimm's Fairy Tales)

9/10/2016

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Picture



One upon a time, there was an elderly man whose entire estate consisted of a house, but he didn't know who to give the house to. Later, he came upon an idea. He instructed his sons to go into society to study a trade. In the future, whoever's skill was the greatest would inherit the house. The three brothers agreed to give their father's idea a try. The eldest son decided to become a blacksmith; the middle son decided to become a barber, and the youngest son decided to become a swordsman. They each agreed to return home after a certain time. Then, they went their separate ways. 


Each one went to find a talented teacher and began their trade. The eldest son shod horses for the king. The middle son specialized in giving shaves to respectable people. The third son practiced fencing tirelessly. They each put all their heart into their work. They believed in only success not failure. Otherwise, the house would not be their own. 

When the appointed time had come, they each returned to their father's place. The talent competition had arrived. At that moment, a rabbit from the field came running. The second brother, while the rabbit ran quickly, rubbed soap on it, and shaved the fur without damaging a hair. The father watching was very happy.

After a little while, a horse drawn carriage came along. The eldest son ran toward the carriage. He grabbed the four horseshoes of the walking horse and put on new ones. The father said: "You are a man of talent; your work and your younger brother's work are of the same good quality. I don't know who I should give the house to. 

At this point, it began to rain. The youngest son brandished his sword above his head.  Not a drop of rain fell upon his body. The rain gradually became heavier, and changed into a downpour. His sword play also became faster; his body was completely dry. Amazed, the father said: Your skill is the best; the house is yours." 

The two older brothers both nodded in agreement. From then on, the three brothers lived together, loving each other deeply, practicing their craft. Because each one's ability was good,they made a lot of money. Into old age, their lives were very happy. After the three brothers died, they were buried in the same grave (My Translation of Chinese Version).

Vocabulary Matching
Match the following words or phrases with the pictures below: soap, swordsman, shod horses, horse-drawn carriage, blacksmith, barber, downpour, rabbit, and teacher. 


Introductory Discussion Questions

1. If you could be a blacksmith, barber, or swordsman, which would you be? Why?
2. If you have/had an estate, who would you give it to?
3. Have you ever inherited something from parents or someone else? What was it?
4. If you had the opportunity to study any trade, what would you study? Why?
5. How should parents decide who to give their estate to? 

​
Synonym Matching 
elderly                                                                          get
instructed                                                                    best
future                                                                           oldest
greatest                                                                       old
inherit                                                                          taught
eldest                                                                           later

​
Antonym Matching: 
success                                                                                         sad
eldest                                                                                           failure
went                                                                                             slowly
began                                                                                          youngest
work                                                                                            drizzle
quickly                                                                                         wet
happy                                                                                          play
downpour                                                                                   finish
dry                                                                                               came

Listening Blank Fill 
One upon a time, there was an elderly man __________ entire estate consisted of a house, but he ___________ know who to give the house to. Later, he ___________ upon an idea. He instructed his sons to ____________ into society to study a trade. In the ___________, whoever's skill was the greatest would inherit the ___________. The three brothers agreed to give their father's ________ a try. The eldest son decided to become a _______________; the middle son decided to become a barber, ________ the youngest son decided to become a swordsman. _________ each agreed to return home after a certain ________. Then, they went their separate ways.
 

Matching Adjectives
Each one went to find a 1. (     ) teacher and began their trade. The eldest son shod horses for the king. The middle son specialized in giving shaves to respectable people. The 2. (     ) son practiced fencing tirelessly. They each put 3. (     ) their heart into their work. They believed in only success not failure. Otherwise, the house would not be their own. 
a. all
b. third
c. talented

Matching Verbs
When the appointed time had come, they each 1. (    ) to their father's place. The talent competition had 2. (     ). At that moment, a rabbit from the field came running. The second brother, while the rabbit ran quickly, 3. (     ) soap on it, and shaved the fur without damaging a hair. The father watching 4. (      ) very happy.
a. rubbed
b. was
c. returned
d. arrived

Matching Prepositions

After a little while, a horse drawn carriage came 1. (     ). The eldest son ran 2. (     ) the carriage. He grabbed the four horseshoes of the walking horse and put 3. (     ) new ones. The father said: "You are a man of talent; your work and your younger brother's work are of the same good quality. I don't know who I should give the house 4. (     ). 
a. to
b. along
c. on
d. toward

Adverb Matching 

At this point, it began to rain. The youngest son brandished his sword above his head.  Not a drop of rain fell upon his body. The rain 1. (     ) became heavier, and changed into a downpour. His sword play also became faster; his body was 2. (     ) dry. Amazed, the father said: Your skill is the best; the house is yours." 
a. completely
b. gradually 


The two older brothers both nodded in agreement. From then on, the three brothers lived together, loving each other deeply, practicing their craft. Because each one's ability was good,they made a lot of money. Into old age, their lives were very happy. After the three brothers died, they were buried in the same grave (My Translation of Chinese Version).

Pair Work Discussion Questions
A:
 
What did you think of this story?
Which son did you think was the most talented? Did you agree with the father? Why or why not?
What do you think the moral of this story is?
Which son do you think could make the most money? Explain. 
The sons were buried together. Was this strange? 
B: 

What did you think of the father's idea of who to give the house to? Was it fair? Why or why not?
Whose skill was the most useful in your opinion? Explain. 
Why do you think the three sons got along so well and could live together? 
Which son do you think made the least money? Explain. 
​Do you think you could live with your brothers or sisters into old age? Why or why not? 

Debate A
Divide the the class into three teams if possible. 
After teams discuss their ideas among themselves, the debate can begin. 
Team one believes the blacksmith has the most important trade of the three. 
Team two believes the barber has the most important trade of the three. 
Team three believes the swordsman has the most important trade of the three. 
Each team must explain why their trade is the most important.  
Each team must explain why the other two trades are less important. 

Debate B
Divide the class into two teams if possible. 
Allow teams to discuss their ideas, then the debate can begin. 
Team one believes talent is something a person is born with. You either have it, or you don't. 
Team two believes talent is all about practice and perseverance. Anyone can learn. 

Research and Writing
Using the library or online resources, research the three trades discussed in today's story. Find out how much these careers pay, hours required, and work environment, etc. Write a report of your findings, and be prepared to share in your next class. 
​

Chinese

从前有个老 头,他的全部 财产就是一 幢房子,他不知道把 房子留给谁,最后想到一条 计策,让 儿子到社会上去学手艺,将来谁的本领最大,房子就归谁. 三个儿子同意去试一试. 大儿子要做蹄铁工匠,二儿子要做剃头师傅,三儿子要做击剑师. 他们约好某个时候一起回家,就分头走了. 他们每个人都找了个能干的师傅,开始学手艺.

大儿子給国王的马钉掌,二儿子专门給贵人修面,三儿子练习击剑,毫不厌倦. 他们每个人都尽心地工做着,因为他们相信,只能成功,不能失败,否则房子就不是自己的了. 约定的期限到了,他们一起回到父亲那里. 比试本领的时候到了,这时,一只兔子从田里跑来,二儿子在兔子快跑的时候,给它擦上肥皂,剃了个短胡子,没有伤着一根毛. 父亲看了,非常高兴.

过了一会儿,一辆马车驶来. 大儿子向马车跑去,取下正走着的马的四个铁掌,又给它钉上四个新的.父亲说:"你是一个有本领的人,你做的事和你弟弟一样好,我不知道应该把房子给谁." 这时,天开始下雨了,小儿子在头上舞剑,雨一点也落不到他身上;雨渐渐大了,变成了倾盆大雨,他的剑也越舞越快,身上始终都是干的. 父亲惊讶地说:"你的手艺最好,房子是你的了." 两个哥哥都点头同意. 从此,他们三个兄弟住在一起,相亲相爱,做他们的手艺. 由于每个人的本领都好,所以赚了很多钱. 他们直到老,生活得都很愉快. 三兄弟死后,合葬在一个坟墓里. 

Exercise Answers:
Picture Matcting: picture 1-->swordsman, picture 2-->barber, picture 3-->blacksmith,            picture 4-->teacher, picture 5-->horse-drawn carriage, picture 6-->shod horses, picture 7-->soap, picture 8-->rabbit, picture 9-->downpour.
Synonym Matching: elderly-->old, instructed-->taught, future-->later, greatest-->best,           inherit-->get, eldest-->oldest.  
Antonym Matching: success-->failure, eldest-->youngest, went-->came, began-->finish,              work-->play, quickly-->slowly, happy-->sad, downpour-->drizzle, dry-->wet.
​
Listening Blank Fill: whose, didn't, came, go, future, house, idea, blacksmith, and, They, time. 
​
Matching Adjectives: 1. c. talented, 2. b. third, 3. a. all. 
​
Matching Verbs: 1. c. returned, 2. d. arrived, 3. a. rubbed, 4. b. was. 
​
Matching Prepositions: 1. b. along, 2. d. toward, 3. c. on, 4. a. to. 
​
Matching Adverbs: 1. b. gradually, 2. a. completely. 


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Spindle, Shuttle and Needle

6/4/2016

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Picture
Once upon a time, there was a girl. When her mother died, she inherited a small house, a spindle, a shuttle, and a needle. The girl was very diligent; she spun thread, wove cloth, and made clothes while living alone. Because she was a kindhearted girl, everyone wished to buy her things. At that time, the king's son was looking for a wife. He said, "I want to find a girl who is both the poorest and the richest girl." The king came to her village; the people first took him to the house of the richest girl in town. Afterward, they came to the house of the poor spinning girl. The spinning girl was very shy; during the whole time, she never dared to lift her head to look at the prince. 
​
The prince rode off on his horse. The girl ran to the window and saw the white plume upon the prince's head slowly disappear in the open fields. She couldn't restrain a large sigh, "Who could help me guide him back?" Just as she spoke these words, her spindle jumped up, and went straight outside pulling behind it a long golden thread. Before long, it was out of sight. The girl just grabbed the shuttle; she weaved and talked to herself at the same time, "Shuttle, shuttle, wonderful weaving, lead the man back." Abruptly, the shuttle left her hands. At the threshold of the front door, it began to weave a rug with with red roses, white lilies, and green grape vines. It was truly gorgeous! 


The girl sat down to make clothes; she looked about the room saying, "Sewing needle, sewing needle, who can help me tidy this house?" Suddenly, the sewing needle left her hands. Like lightning, back and forth it flew about the room. In a short time, the room resembled a beautiful palace. Everywhere hung velvet. Then, the girl saw out the window the white plume of the prince appear. The prince stepped upon the carpet and entered the room. He proclaimed that the girl was his wife because she was not only the poorest but also the richest girl. The wedding was held in the palace, and the girl became the queen.

Introductory Discussion Questions:
Do you like romance stories, songs, or movies? Can you name any?
Should a rich person marry a poor person? Why or why not?
What should a poor person do if they want to marry a rich person?
Do you believe magic ever helps hardworking people? Why or why not? 
Do you know anyone who likes spinning, weaving, or sewing? Who? 

Matching Pictures to Vocabulary: open fields, golden thread, red roses, village, lightning, white lilies, green vines, spinner, shuttle, white plume, velvet, palace, sewing needle. 


Synonym Matching

died                                                                             by herself
alone                                                                           on
wished                                                                        passed away
inherited                                                                    desired
upon                                                                           got
gorgeous                                                                    abruptly 
tidy                                                                              looked like
like lightning                                                              said
resembled                                                                 clean

proclaimed                                                                beautiful

Antonym Matching
diligent                                                                       lazy
kindhearted                                                              pushing
richest                                                                        crooked
afterward                                                                  terrible
straight                                                                      before
pulling                                                                       small house
wonderful                                                                 hardhearted 

palace                                                                        poorest

Paragraph 2: Multiple Choice 

The prince rode off 1. (    ) his horse. The girl ran 2. (    ) the window and saw the white plume upon the prince's head slowly disappear in the open fields. She couldn't 3. (    ) a large sigh, "Who could help me guide him back?" Just as she spoke 4. (    ) words, her spindle jumped up, and went straight outside 5. (    ) behind it a long golden thread. Before long, it was out of sight. The girl just grabbed the shuttle; she weaved and 6. (    ) to herself at the same time, "Shuttle, shuttle, wonderful weaving, lead the man back." Abruptly, the shuttle left 7. (    ) hands. At the threshold of the front door, it began to weave a rug with with red roses, white lilies, and green grape vines. It was 8. (    ) gorgeous! 


1. a. in b. on c. over. d. beside
2. a. on b. too c. upon d. to
3. a. restraining b. restrained c. restrain d. restrainer
4. a. these b. this c. those d. their
5. a. pulling b. pulled c. pull d. will pull
6. a. talk b. talking c. talked d. will talk
7. a. she's b. his c. its d. her
8. a true b. truthfully c. truly d. truth


Paragraph 3: Listening Blank Fill


The girl sat down to make clothes; _______ looked about the room saying, "Sewing needle, __________ needle, who can help me tidy this house?" ____________, the sewing needle left her hands. Like _____________, back and forth it flew about the _______. In a short time, the room resembled a _____________ palace. Everywhere hung velvet. Then, the girl saw out ______ window the white plume of the prince __________. The prince stepped upon the carpet and __________ the room. He proclaimed that the girl was his ________ because she was not only the poorest but ________ the richest girl. The wedding was held in the __________, and the girl became the queen.

Pair Work Discussion Questions
A
What did you think of this story?
In what ways is it beneficial to experience wealth?
What situations make you feel very shy? 
​If something magical could happen to your work, what would you wish for? 
If you could get married anywhere, where would you choose? Why?
B
What makes you want to go back and buy again from the same person?
In what ways is it beneficial to experience want?  
Why do you think the king wanted to find both the richest and poorest person? 
What do you think the moral of this story was? 
​If you became king or queen, what would you do first?
 

Debate
Divide the class into teams. Team A prepares and discusses why they believe it is beneficial for a rich and poor person to marry. Team B prepares and debates why they believe people should marry within their own socioeconomic class.

Research and Writing
Find and read a fairy tale. Write a summary of the story and describe its moral. 

Chinese Version
从前有个女孩 , 母亲临死时 , 给她留下一间小屋 , 还有一副纺锤 , 梭子和缝针. 女孩很勤劳 , 她纺线 , 织布 , 做衣服 , 一个人过日子. 因为她是个善良的姑娘 , 人们都愿意买她的东西. 当时王子正在找未婚妻 , 他说: "我要找一个既是最穷 , 又是最富的姑娘!" 王子来到这个村子 , 人们先带他去了村里最富的女孩子家 , 然后 , 又来到那个贫穷的纺纱女的家里. 纺纱女很害羞 , 一直不敢抬头看王子. 

​王子骑马走了 , 女孩跑到窗口 , 看着王子头上的白羽毛慢慢消失在田野里. 她不禁叹息道: "谁能帮我把他再引回来呢?" 话音刚落 , 女孩的纺锤跳出来 , 一直向外跑去, 它身后拖着一根长长的金线 , 不一会儿就不见了. 女孩只有拿起梭子织布 , 她一边织一边自言自语: "梭子 , 梭子 , 好好地织 , 把求婚的人引进来!" 梭子一下子从她手里跳走了 , 它在门槛前面开始织一快地毯. 红的玫瑰 , 白的百合 , 还有绿油油的葡萄藤 , 真是华丽极了!

女孩坐下缝衣服 , 她看了房里 , 说: "缝针 , 缝针, 谁能帮我把房子收拾干净? " 缝衣针从她手里跳走了 , 像闪电一样在屋子里飞来飞去 , 不一会儿 , 屋里变得像皇宫一样美 , 到处挂着天鹅绒. 这时 , 女孩看见窗子头上的白羽毛. 王子踏着地毯进屋来 , 宣布女孩是他的妻子 , 因为女孩既是最穷的 , 又是最富有的. 王宫里举办婚礼 , 女孩成了王后. 

Answers 
Antonym Matching: diligent-->lazy, kindhearted-->hardhearted, richest-->poorest, afterward-->before, straight-->crooked, pulling-->pushing, wonderful-->terrible, palace-->small house. 

Synonym Matching: died-->passed away, alone-->by herself, wished-->desired, inherited-->got, upon-->on, gorgeous-->beautiful, tidy-->clean, like lightning-->abruptly, resembled-->looked like, proclaimed-->said. 
Paragraph 2: Multiple Choice: 1. b. on, 2. d. to, 3. c. restrain, 4. a. these, 5. a. pulling, 6. c. talked, 7. d. her, 8. c. truly. 

Paragraph 3: Listening Blank Fill: she, sewing, suddenly, lightning, room, beautiful, the, appear, entered, wife, also, palace. 
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    Author

    My name is Paul. I am from Michigan, USA. I am a perpetual language learner and teacher, trading my time between two continents. I obtained my MA in TESOL from Cornerstone University. 

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