JoJo’s Trip to the Zoo - Discovery Theater

JoJo’s Trip to the Zoo

Discovery Theater ● P.O. Box 23293, Washington, DC ● www.discoverytheater.org

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A Reproducible Learning Guide for Educators

This guide is designed to help educators prepare for, enjoy, and discuss JoJo’s Trip to the Zoo

It contains background, discussion questions and activities appropriate for ages 3 to 7.

Programs Are Made Possible, In Part, By Generous Gifts From: D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities DC Public Schools

The Nora Roberts Foundation Philip L. Graham Fund

PNC Foundation Smithsonian Women's Committee

Smithsonian Youth Access Grants Program Sommer Endowment

JoJo’s

Trip to

the Zoo

Recommended for

Ages 3 to 7

Grades Pre-K - 2

http://www.discoverytheater.org/

JoJo’s Trip to the Zoo 2



ABOUT THE PLAY It’s field-trip day and Jojo can’t wait to get to the zoo! But

when he finds a little lost furball, what can he do? Asking

for help for his new animal friend leads to a behind-the-

scenes adventure, meeting some favorite animals, and

learning about our wonderful Earth and its creatures.

These learning plays were created as part of in-school

residencies promoting creative approaches to curriculum

elements in early childhood classrooms. We are proud to

present them now at our museum theatre location at the

Smithsonian to encourage everyone to ‘get in on the act.’

Playing ‘pretend’ as characters in stories encourages

sequencing (What comes next?), verbal skills and

vocabulary (What color flowers? Why did it happen like

that?), math (How many cupcakes? Let’s count the pennies we need to buy the balloon!), pre-science (What do

we need to get these clothes clean?) and problem solving (Oh no! How can we help?). Each of these skills is

highlighted in plays that surround different themes (zoos, field trips, veterinarians, habitats, etc.).

‘CRAFT’ A PLAY! You can make what you saw on stage today. After our shows in schools, the Tools of Discovery ensemble

visits Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms to help classes craft some of the sets, props, and costumes, so they

can play family too. Using both readily available and recycled materials, we invite audiences to “play the

play” at home or in the classroom. Sing songs, make puppets, build forts, and use your imagination to bring

these classic stories to life.





MAKE YOUR OWN ZOO – STARTING WITH THE ANIMALS! What kind of animals did Jojo come across in his trip to the zoo? Let’s start with a snake!

MATERIALS:

3 cardboard tubes

tube from wrapping paper or similar tubular item

6 googly eyes

Toothpick

White craft glue

Scissors

Acrylic craft paint in colors of your choice

DIRECTIONS:

1. Paint the inside and outside of the cardboard tubes. Apply second coat if needed.

2. Cut the tubes into coils, but if your cardboard is still a little damp it might not hold it’s round shape. Using a tube from wrapping paper, or something similar, and wrap the cut cardboard around the tube loosely. Use the handle end of a paintbrush to add polka dots with a contrasting color of paint. Let dry completely then flip over on the other side and finish your polka dots.

3. Remove from tube and wrap the painted cardboard in coil fashion around your fingers. Place coiled cardboard on table. Paint the end with red and let it dry. Meanwhile, glue on goggly eyes, adding the glue with a toothpick since they are small.

4. Now that the red paint is dry, use some small scissors to snip the red end into a forked tongue. An easier option, if your kids are smaller, is to cut a forked tongue from red construction paper, snip the end of the card board to cut off the point, and glue that paper tongue in place instead.

For more pictures, instructions, and crafts, please visit: https://craftsbyamanda.com/cardboard-tube-coiled-

snakes/





MISS THE ZOO? MAKE SOME FUN, ZOO-THEMED FOODS!

OCTOPUS SOUP MATERIALS:

• 1 (16 ounce) package hot dogs

• 2 (48 ounce) containers chicken broth

• 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh chives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. With a sharp knife, cut the hot dogs in half the short way. Slice

each piece in half vertically, cutting about 3/4 of the way up towards

the rounded end. Leave about 1 inch of the rounded end as the head

of the octopus. Rotate the dog 90 degrees, and make another vertical

cut. Cut the 4 legs in half again, to make 8 legs and a head. The hot

dogs should look like tassels with rounded heads.

2. Bring the chicken broth and chives to a boil in a soup pot. Place the octopus hot dogs into the boiling soup,

and simmer for about 5 minutes. The legs will curl to make the octopus shape. Serve in bowls with an octopus

or 2 in each bowl.

For more fun recipes and instructions, please visit: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/216069/kids-octopus-

soup/print/?recipeType=Recipe&servings=8&isMetric=false

TIPS FROM THE TOOLS OF DISCOVERY TEAM

Don’t forget to decorate! Your materials can always use some child design — let their imaginations run

wild as they transform plain boxes, socks, and household items into theatre.

Always keep your toolbox nearby: a shoebox of crayons, markers, safe scissors, bits of cloth, yarn,

paper rolls, egg cartons, etc. Your Picasso will thank you.

Everybody plays! Don’t forget to play with your children and students — bring out your inner artist and

‘inner child’ and your real children will play better. You are their imagination role models. Just let your

child be the expert – support their ideas and help make them work.

Keep it simple! The point is to play together, have fun, and not try too hard. Look for when it is time

to stop — and put the theatre ‘props’ away for the next time. You are making your own toys.

Collect raw materials: old socks, clean paper plates or cups, cardboard, bits of packing materials, yarn

or ribbon from birthday parties – these all enrich your artist’s palette.

Crafting is a fun ‘waiting’ activity! Set your artist up with a goal, and time will pass more quickly.

Remember to leave time for clean-up. (Do you have a clean-up song? You should!)

Make the show come to life! This show is about family and, while the students can play in the centers

at school, they can also play in their actual rooms at home. Build a fort in the living room!


http://allrecipes.com/recipe/216069/kids-octopus-soup/print/?recipeType=Recipe&servings=8&isMetric=false

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/216069/kids-octopus-soup/print/?recipeType=Recipe&servings=8&isMetric=false




ABOUT TOOLS OF DISCOVERY:

In 2013, Discovery Theater developed an innovative arts/education program for DCPS early education teachers and their students who are now implementing the “Tools of the Mind” curriculum. Derived from the theories of Lev Vygotsky, the curriculum uses guided play to promote early childhood literacy and the development of executive function, self-regulation, and creative thinking in pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. Using philosophies, techniques, and content drawn from Smithsonian-developed Museum Theatre practices and models, Vygotskian theory of play within a social context, and the Core Common State Standards; Tools of Discovery directors Roberta Gasbarre and Oran Sandel developed techniques that Smithsonian trained actor/educators employ to help teachers and parents enrich creative, guided play in class or at home. The Tools of Discovery team first presented these plays as part of the Kindergarten curriculum focus on storytelling through Fairy Tales. After the performances at the schools, our teaching artists conducted classroom 'playlabs'. They 'played the play' alongside the teachers, making props and costumes from recycled materials, singing the simple songs, and demonstrated dramatization that used objects or puppets as tools to tell the story. The residency was followed by a teacher debriefing to discuss how they might use what they had experienced in their own way, and Professional Development Workshops to further the teacher's skill. Jojo’s Trip to the Zoo brings these wonderful plays to the stage, keeping the DIY elements and offering Discovery Theater audiences the invitation to 'play the play' with us and back in classroom or home, with the children.

RESOURCES:

http://www.educatall.com/page/449/Veterinarians.html Educatall has great ideas for Vet themed crafts, songs, and activities that can be done at school or at

home.

http://www.amazon.com/Want-Veterinarian-Be-Book/dp/0307131165

In Tom Cooke’s book, I Want to be a Veterinarian, classic Sesame Street characters teach kids about

what it takes to be a veterinarian.

http://www.enslow.com/series/my_first_pet_bilingual_library_from_the_american_humane_associatio

n/12#.VwvwaU8rKig

This collection of “My First Pet” books from the American Humane society also has a bilingual option!

http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/family/pets/index.html

PBS Kids has a great site about how to be a good pet owner, complete with pet fun facts and advice

on how to choose the right pet for you!


http://www.educatall.com/page/449/Veterinarians.html

http://www.amazon.com/Want-Veterinarian-Be-Book/dp/0307131165

http://www.enslow.com/series/my_first_pet_bilingual_library_from_the_american_humane_association/12#.VwvwaU8rKig

http://www.enslow.com/series/my_first_pet_bilingual_library_from_the_american_humane_association/12#.VwvwaU8rKig

http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/family/pets/index.html




Our Location

The S. Dillon Ripley Center, 3rd Sublevel

1100 Jefferson Drive, SW

Washington, DC 20024

Mailing Address

Discovery Theater

P.O. Box 23293

Washington, DC 20026

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (202) 633-8700

Fax: (202) 633-1322

Office hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00am - 4:30pm

OUR MISSION: “THE INCREASE AND DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE”

Smithsonian Associates advances the Institution’s mission through life-enriching educational and cultural

experiences inspired by the Smithsonian’s research and collections for DC-region students, families, and

adults, and for learning communities nationwide.

Discovery Theater has been presenting DC-area children with live educational performances for almost 40

years. With programs that enrich the Smithsonian experience for nearly 50,000 children annually,

Discovery Theater is a gateway to the exhibits, collections, and themes contained in the museums and

galleries on the National Mall and beyond. We explore American history and cultures, folk tales from

around the world, and exciting, accessible science and math programs in the company of puppeteers,

storytellers, dancers, actors, and musicians. Discovery Theater performances unite ideologies, enact

themes that reflect the diversity of its audiences, open avenues of self-reflection, and offer an enjoyable

means for parents and teachers to demonstrate life’s lessons. There’s so much to do and explore at the

Smithsonian—and Discovery Theater is the ideal place to begin!


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JoJo’s Trip to the Zoo - Discovery Theater