Rumpelstiltskin
Supplemental Study Materials
Dear Educator,
We are excited that you have chosen Theatre Bristol's production of Rumpelstiltskin as part of your curriculum. This story of fantasy, deception, imagination and fun is a must see for every young person.
Enclosed are numerous materials to facilitate understanding and initiate responses from your students in relation to the play Rumpelstiltskin. The information and activities provided can be used to enhance curriculum standards in many subjects. We have students from diverse age groups attending the show ranging from pre-school to sixth grade. 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 enjoy Rumpelstiltskin.
Sincerely,
Rebecca L. Greasby
Director of Education
Theatre Bristol is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization whose activities are made possible in part by generous support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arts Council of Greater Kingsport, the City of Bristol, Tennessee, the City of Bristol, Virginia and corporations, foundations and individuals from throughout our region.
A Brief Summary
of the Play
Rumpelstiltskin, a dwarf who lives on the edge of the world, wishes a King's baby to put in his pot, so that he may rule the hearts of men He will fill them so full of greed that they will destroy each other, leaving him the whole world to himself. Looking over the earth from his hilltop, he discovers a miller's daughter, who has just won a Prince for her husband, if she can spin straw into gold! When the King orders her to spin the gold, she is left alone in despair; and then Rumpelstiltskin magically appears, offering to spin the gold for her, if she will give him her first child. When the child is born, and Rumpelstiltskin appears to claim it, she persuades him to give her another chance. He offers her one chance to keep the child-- if she can guess his name. When, at the last moment, she confronts him with the name, he flies to pieces with rage.
BARGAIN - an agreement to exchange (Example: Rumpelstiltskin agrees to spin straw into gold for the millers daughter in exchange for her baby.)
BOAST - to brag (Example: The Miller and his wife brag to the King that their daughter can spin straw into gold.)
GOLD - a heavy, precious, yellow metal used to make coins and jewelry (Example: The greedy King has the Miller's daughter spin straw into gold to fill up his rooms.)
MILL - a building where grain is ground for flour and meal
PALACE - the home of someone of royal background
SPINNING WHEEL - a wooden machine with a large wheel used to make thread
STRAW - hollow stalks of grain after the seed has been harvested
THREAD - a very fine cord composed of strands of spun silk, cotton, etc.
Discussion Questions
In the play, the Miller and his wife tell a lie to the King. They tell him that their daughter can spin straw into gold. The King then forces the daughter to prove this and threatens to cut off her head if she cannot. Have you ever told a lie that got you in trouble? What happened? What would have happened if you would have told the truth instead?
In the play, the miller's daughter makes a bargain with Rumpelstiltskin. She agrees to give him her son if Rumpel will spin the straw into gold. Have you ever made a bargain with anyone? What was your bargain? Have you ever backed out of a bargain?
Activities
Spinning wheels produce thread which is then woven into fabric. Have your students learn basic weaving techniques without a loom. Give the students equal amounts of thick yarn in two colors. One color should be lined up with each piece next to the other on the desk. Tape down to the desk, one side of the yarn with scotch-tape. Explain the over/under weaving process and have the students weave the other color yarn into the base yarn. The finished product can be mounted to paper or tag board and glued around the edges.
Discussion Questions
In the play, everyone is called upon to help discover the little man's name. They are instructed to find the most unusual names they had ever heard of. What are some of the most unusual names you have heard?
Where did Rumpelstiltskin and Mother Hulda live? Describe what it looked like. What do you think the edge of the world looks like? Draw a picture for us.
What gifts did the Miller and his wife bring for the King? What are your favorite bakery items? Have you ever helped bake? What did you make?
What gifts did the Prince give to the Miller's Daughter? What happened to those gifts? Did you ever lose something that someone else gave you? What did you lose and how did it make you feel when you lost it?
What will happen to the Miller's daughter if she can spin the straw into gold? What will happen to her if she cannot spin it into gold?
Have you or your friends ever bragged? About what? What happened when you bragged?
Activities
What would the play have been like if it had been told from Rumpelstiltskin's point of view? Rewrite the story of Rumpelstiltskin from Rumpel's pont of view. Be creative and share your stories with your classmates when you have completed them.
Create a fairy tale mural. Have students choose their favorite fairy tale. Then have them paint or draw a picture illustrating the tale. Place the murals together to form a large mural.
Books
of Interest
A Deal is a Deal/Rumpelstiltskin Linda Graves
Fractured Fairy Tales A.J. Jacobs
Grimm's Complete Fairytales Brothers Grimm
Rumpelstiltskin Paul O. Zelinsky
Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter Diane Stanley
The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Fairly Stupid Tales Jon Scieszka,
http://www.chucklebait.com/books/stinkex.htm - This site has the full text version of the adaptation of Rumpelstiltskin found in The Stinky Cheese Man. The picture is wonderful!
http://fer.scdsb.com.on.ca/fairytalec.htm - This site has a Fairy Tale Quiz for students to take. There are nine questions from various fairy tales for kids to answer. Fun site!