Steps for Learning - Activity Two: Rumor Boxes | Parents & Teachers
  







  












  
  



  


    
    
     

    

		

			

				

		

        
        
                  

                                      
Steps for Learning - Activity Two: Rumor Boxes

                                                          
 
        
        

          


  
  
  
  

    
The purpose of this activity is to provide an opportunity for students to create dramatic renditions of rumors.


1. As a class, watch the Wunderkind Little Amadeus episode entitled “Rumors.” Tell the students to pay attention to the rumor as they watch the episode.


 


After the class is finished viewing, provide each student with a copy of the Comprehension Checker. For K-2 students, complete the Comprehension Checker as a class. Older students can work in pairs or independently to answer the questions. When the students are finished, review the answers as a class.


 


2. Divide your students into four small groups. Give each group one copy of the “Character Cutouts” handout, one cardboard box, ten one-inch strips of paper, glue, scissors, markers, crayons and colored pencils.


 


3. Tell the students that they are going to create “Little Amadeus Rumor Boxes.” Have the students decorate the outside of the boxes with different characters on the handout.


 


4. When the students are finished decorating the boxes, tell them that you are going to put information in each box. In Box #1 and Box #3, place the names of the characters listed below on strips of paper inside the boxes.


    

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    • 

  • Nannerl Mozart
    • 

  • Pumperl
    • 

  • Monti
    • 

  • Anna Maria Mozart
    • 

  • Leopold Mozart
    • 

  • Lorenzo Devilius
    • 

  • Mario Carrieri
    • 

  • Kajetan Hagenauer
    • 

  • Kati
    • 

  •  Countess KissKiss
    • 

  • Archbishop Schrattenbach
    • 



Tell the students that they are going to create a series of rumors that will be placed in Box #2. As a class, brainstorm 5-10 rumors. Write each one on a piece of paper, and place it in Box #2.


 


Then, ask for volunteers to choose strips from Box #1, “Who started the rumor?” First, ask a student to select a strip and read the character’s name aloud. Then, ask a second student to choose a strip from Box #2 “What was the rumor?” and read it aloud. The third student should choose a strip from Box #3 “Who heard the rumor next?” The final step is for the class to answer the question “How did the rumor end?” As a class, decide on an answer, record it, and place it in Box #4.


 


5. Tell the students that they are going to create a skit using information from the four boxes and set it to music. Have each group select four strips, one from each box, and then create a skit about what happened. Provide the students with a variety of musical instruments (either teacher/student-made or items such as triangles, recorders, tambourines, etc.) Tell the students to create musical accompaniment to their skits.


 


Teacher Note: You may wish to have students in grades 3-5 create podcasts of their skits.


 


6. Provide time for students’ presentations. After they are finished, discuss how each skit conveyed the power of a rumor with words and with music.