Theatre Bristol proudly presents
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No
Good, Very Bad Day
Study Guide
School Performances: March 15, 16, 22, 23, 2007 at
9:30 and 11:30 a.m.
Public Performance: March 18, 2007 at 2:30 p.m.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,
Very Bad Day will be performed at the Paramount Center of the
Arts and will run for approximately 60 minutes.
Dear Educator,
We are excited that you have chosen Theatre Bristol’s
production of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very
Bad Day as part of your curriculum.
Enclosed are numerous materials to facilitate understanding and
initiate responses from your students in relation to the
play. The information and activities provided can be used to enhance
your curriculum standards in many subjects. You know best the
needs and abilities of your students. Please feel free to adapt
the suggested materials for discussion or activities with your
students. You are invited to make copies of the enclosed materials
for other teachers as well as your students. We hope you will
all enjoy the show!
Sincerely,
Fred Dunagan
Theatre Bristol Education Intern
Alexander is having a bad day. A terrible day. A terrible, horrible
day. To be quite honest, it’s a terrible, horrible, no good,
very bad day. But then, everybody has bad days, sometimes. In
this delightful adaptation of her popular children’s book,
Judith Viorst sets Alexander’s rather trying life to music
and brings to the stage one of America’s feistiest characters.
Not only does Alexander wake up with gum in his hair, but his
mother forgets to pack him dessert, and his best friend decides
he’s not his best friend anymore. And if that’s not
bad enough, Alexander’s brothers don’t have any cavities
but . . . he does. And just when it can’t get any worse,
there are lima beans for supper and -- yuck! -- kissing on TV.
It is enough to make anyone want to go to Australia. Alexander’s
struggles with life’s daily dramas will not only entertain
but educate young audiences as they identify with Alexander and
the obstacles he encounters, encouraging them to share their feelings
and to realize that bad days happen -- even in Australia.
About the Author/Playwright
Judith Viorst was born in Newark, New Jersey. She is the author
of several works of fiction and non-fiction for children as well
as adults. She is most famous among children for Alexander and
the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, which has sold
over two million copies since it was first published in 1972.
In conjunction with The Kennedy Center, Mrs. Viorst helped develop
the script for Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,
Very Bad Day. During an interview, she acknowledged that her son,
Alexander, served as inspiration for the character in her books.
Discussion Questions
Have you ever had a really bad day? What happened that day? How did it feel? What did you do to feel better?
As a group, come up with a list of things that you can do to turn a bad day into a good day.
Can you tell when other people are having a bad day? How? What can you do to help someone when they are having a bad day?
Why does Alexander want to move to Australia? Do you think moving somewhere else would help when things are hard? Why or why not?
What did Alexander’s mom say at the end of the play that made him feel better? Why would this make him feel better?
Vocabulary
ALLERGY - a condition that makes a person get sick or develop skin or breathing problems because they have eaten certain foods or come in contact with certain substances
BLIMPS - a large aircraft without wings consisting of a large bag filled with gas which is lighter than air and powered by engines
CHERISH - to love, protect and care for someone or something that is important
DISGRACEFUL - very bad
DUET - a piece of music sung or played by two people
EUCALYPTUS - a type of tree, found especially in Australia, which produces an oil with a strong smell (like a cough drop)
LIMA BEANS - a large, flat, creamy-yellow or pale green bean
MAZE - a complicated set of rules, ideas or subjects which one finds difficult to deal with or understand
NOURISH - to provide people or living things with food in order to make them grow and keep them healthy
NOVOCAINE - a drug given to people to stop the feeling of pain, especially during an operation on their teeth
WALLABIES - an animal found in Australia and New Guinea which is like a small kangaroo, and has strong back legs for jumping and a long tail
Telling Time . . . . .
Alexander does specific things at different times during the day.
For example, he wakes up at 7:00 AM, he arrives at school at 8:30
AM, he goes to bed at 9:00 PM, etc. Using the attached worksheet,
have your students fill in the clocks’ hands (and write the
time below, as well) according to what time they get up, eat breakfast,
arrive at school, etc.
Corresponding with Character
When students correspond with a character in a book or play, the
character comes more fully to life. Letter-writing gives students
the opportunity to reflect on what they have read, ask questions
of the characters, and give advice to them. (For younger children,
this activity can be adapted as an oral exercise. Use an old phone
or toy phone and have them call Alexander and leave the message
on his answering machine.)
WHAT YOU NEED:
• Paper and pencil for each student
• Old phone or toy phone (if making this an oral exercise)
WHAT TO DO:
1. Have your students write a letter to Alexander to tell him
about a bad day that they had at school or home.
2. Have your students write Alexander a letter giving him advice
on how to handle his very bad day.
Invisible Art: It's a Chemical Thing
In the book and the play, Alexander draws a picture of an Invisible
Castle. Did he really draw a picture? The following experiment
will allow your students to draw invisible pictures that later
become visible, and helps explain a simple chemical reaction.
WHAT YOU NEED:
• Lemon Juice
• Small cups or glasses
• Small paint brushes (or your fingers)
• Paper
An iron
WHAT TO DO:
1. Pour lemon juice into the cups/glasses.
2. Use the lemon juice and either the paintbrushes (or fingers)
to “paint” a picture on the paper. As the lemon juice
dries, it will disappear.
3. Have each student label their paintings and then display the
“invisible artwork” in the classroom for a day or two.
4. After a day or two, take the paintings down and press them
gently with a hot iron. The lemon juice will turn brown –
revealing the paintings!
5. Hang the now visible paintings in the class with a brief description
of the chemical reaction that took place.
What’s for Dinner?
Alexander HATES lima beans! Do you? Talk to your kids about the
importance of planning and serving healthy meals. Ask them what
they would cook for themselves if they were in charge of the kitchen
for a day. What would they cook for other family members? What
are your favorite foods? Least favorite? Why?
TCAPs: K.1.02, 1.1.02, 2.1.02, 3.1.02
SOLs: ECON K.5, 1.10, 1.11, ENG K.1, K.3, 1.3, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2,
GEO K.3, 1.7, 3.6, SCI K.6, 1.1
A Guide to Appropriate Behavior at the Theatre
We think attendance at a live theatrical performance is not
only exciting, it is a privilege; and as such demands certain
behavior. When guests come to your home, you want them to enjoy
themselves, but you expect them to follow the rules of your house.
For those of us at Theatre Bristol, the theatre is our home, and
you are our valued guests! We ask that you – our guests –
obey the rules of our home. Just give others in the audience the
same consideration that you expect of them, and everyone will
have a great time!
Please, no talking during the play. When the lights go dim it’s
hard to sit quietly, but in the theatre the lights always come
right back up so just wait a moment and the play will continue.
Please go to the bathroom before the show begins.
NO Food, Gum or Drink allowed in the theatre.
No cameras, video or audio recording allowed.
Please turn off all cell phones, pagers and watch alarms.
Please DO laugh, clap and otherwise let the actors know you enjoy
the show.
Tennessee School Teachers: Ticket Subsidy Program! The Tennessee State Legislature and the Tennessee Arts Commission provide a ticket subsidy program. To find out if your school is eligible, call the Johnson City Arts Council at (423)928-8229, or The Rose Center at (423)581-4330. Download forms at www.arts.state.tn.us and request funds for all your trips at once.
Teachers: Just a Reminder!
Parent Chaperones are not seated until all school groups are
seated. They sit separately in the special VIP seating area on
the sides and rear of the theatre – not with your class.
No babes in arms, please. Your cooperation is requested. Performances
are for school children.
Reservation changes may be made by the lead teacher only. We
do not accept reservations from parents for school performances.
Confirmation cards must be returned by date indicated.
Please make every effort to arrive on time, no later than 9:10
for the 9:30 show or 11:10 for the 11:30 show – with your
help we will start on time!
Theatre Bristol - Your Community Theatre!
512 State Street Bristol, TN 37620
(423) 968-4977
www.theatrebristol.org