Teacher’s Resources
by Jacki Rowley

Introduction

Overall Theme
The play is set in Africa, although has no specific link to a country. The overall theme of the Insight, therefore, is Africa, and more specifically, creation myths from Africa.

Almost all religions in the world, including African religions, have creation stories. These are stories that tell how the world began and how humans were created. They are important as they explain about human behaviour, why humans are on earth, why we die and the nature of God, amongst many other things.
The idea of creation myths has been extended slightly to include ideas based on stories which:

• explain a cause, reason or origin for something. This could be the sun and moon as in creation stories or it could be why a tortoise has a shell.
• Include a moral. As in the play, this could be the story of a character who does wrong and is punished. The character might repent and the punishment could be revoked or could remain, again to explain why something is as it is, e.g. why are rats banished to a hole in the ground to scratch for rubbish?

“I will tell you something about stories … They aren’t just entertainment… They are all we have …to fight off illness and death. You don’t have anything if you don’t have the stories.”
Leslie Marmon Silko

For more on African storytelling see:
http://www.cocc.edu/cagatucci/classes/hum211/afrstory.htm

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How to Use this Section of the Insight

The section of the Insight has been designed to provide a series of lessons which could culminate in a short performance for another class, the school or for parents. This performance would be based on storytelling with the general theme of creation myths, and could be built up with puppetry, movement and music as desired. The class can use either an existing tale or create their own story.

Alternatively, each section can be used independently as a one off session to link with the play.

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Curriculum Areas and Age Groups

The resources are designed for Foundation – Year 3. Variations are given throughout and it is possible to choose the option that fits the age and ability of different classes. A range of curriculum areas are covered, including Literacy, Drama, Dance, PHSE, Music and Art. References to Africa and African culture throughout link to Geography and PHSE (Living in a Diverse World).

The work may be undertaken before or after the children see the show in most cases, although some sections will be reliant on children already knowing the story.

Section One - Themes

Section Two - Storytelling

Section Three - Animal Movement

Section Four - Puppets and Masks

Section Five - Musical Instruments

Section Six - Creating a Performance

African Myths

Create It