SLIS 5960.001
Maymester 2002
retold by Verna Aardeman. Illustrated by Petra Mathers. Dragonfly Books: Alfred A. Knowpt, New York.
This is a tale from Mexico about a borreguita (lamb) who tricks a coyote into not eating her. When the coyote tells Borreguita he is going to eat her, she states she is too thin and he should wait until she is fat. Upon her return Borreguita tells coyote about some delicious cheese by the pond at the end of the pasture. When coyote dives in at night he realizes Borreguita has tricked him again. At the end Borreguita asks Coyote to swallow her whole. When she charges at him she sends him rolling with one big toothache. From that day on the Coyote does not bother Borreguita.
Pre Reading Activity:
1. Ask the class, “What happens when you play tricks on people? Have you ever played a trick on someone and ever gotten anyone in trouble?
Example of Response: Sometimes it is just for fun. Other times someone may get in trouble.
I remember when my son came to our bedroom and asked us if we wanted coffee in bed. My husband and I very surprised and stated, “Wow, sure, thanks.” He responded, “April Fool.”
This did not get anyone in trouble, even though we were a little disappointed about the coffee.
2. Introduce the glossary terms, have them pronounce the words after you and tell them the definitions. These are in the book.
Ayutla: a city in western Mexico
Borreguita: Spanish word for “little lamb.” Show them the picture of Borreguita in the front of the book.
Coyote: A small wolf like animal. Point to the picture of the Coyote in the front of the book.
Senor: Spanish for “mister.”
Esta bien: Spanish for “That is good.”
3. Ask them what kind of sounds do lambs make. Have them make it. Ask that what kind of sounds do coyotes or wolfs make? Have them make it. Tell the students that they are going to help you read the story. When you read the story and state
Coyote Howled. They should go like this: OWOOOOOOOAH
Coyote Growled: They should go like this: GRRRRRR
Borreguita bleated: They should respond by saying: Baa. -a-a, baa-a-a!
Have them practice one or two times. Also give them a signal when you are reading the story by looking at them and extending your hand to hear the sound.
Topic Focusing:
Ask the students about the story. What happened first in the story, next, next? If they do not remember the correct sequence show them the illustrations to refresh their memory. Especially when dealing with younger children (kinder).
Give them a handout with a drawing on a page divided into four equal squares. See attachment 1. Each square will have the following sentences. Students are to number them in sequential order. Once they have numbered them they are to illustrate the caption.
Sequence order:
Items Needed: Handout, pencils, and colors.
Author: Verna
Aardema Vugteveen was born in 1911 in New Era, MI. She retired as an elementary
school teacher after twenty-five years in order to devote more time to writing
books for children. She remained active with young children by acting as a
guest storyteller in elementary schools. She was also a writer for the Muskegon
Chronicle in Michigan for over 20 years. Verna Aardema was a folklorist and
author who brought tales from Mexico and Africa to children of all ages to the
United States. Her most famous book which won the Caldecott Medal in 1975 was Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears.
She lectured at colleges and at both state and national writer’s conventions.
Aaredema wrote thirty-three books, including the 1960 Tales from the Story Hat,
1981 Brining in the Rain to Kaputi Plain which was featured on the Public
Broadcasting Company’s show Reading Rainbow, the 1989 Rabbit Makes a Monkey of
Lion, and her 19999 Koi and the Kola Nuts, which was her final work. She died
on May 11, 2000 in Fort Myers, FL.
Illustrator: Petra Mathers was born during the last year of
World War II in the Back Forest region of Germany. She worked there in a
bookstore, but eventually moved to the United States, married and had a son.
Her first career was as a painter in Oregon and Seattle. She worked as a
waitress to make ends meet. She is a four-time winner of the annual New York Times prize for Best
Illustrated Children’s Book. She is noted for having highly original and richly
detailed illustrations that complement, enhance and extend the stories. Mater
is also a writer of several highly regarded picture books for children. The
following are some of the titles of books she illustrated: 1983
How Yossi Beat the Evil Urge, 1985
Yossi Asks the Angels for Help, 1986
Molly’s New Washing Machine, 1999 It’s My Birthday, Too!, and 2001 Mom Pie. The following are some of her
writings: 1985 Maria Theresa, 1988 Theodor and Mr. Balbini, 1991 Sophie and Lou, and 1993 Victor and
Christabel.
Attachment 1: Borreguita and the Coyote
Number the drawings in the order they occurred in the story. Illustrate each scene.
|
______I have to hold up this mountain. Draw a picture of borreguita holding up mountain upside down. |
_____Swim into the pond and get the round cheese. Draw a lake with a circle (full moon). |
|
_____Open wide and I’ll run and dive right in. Draw a picture of coyote with his mouth wide open. |
_____Let me eat all this clover and I will be fat. Draw borreguita in the Pasteur. |