(click here to get a printable version)

Pre-Viewing Activities

1. Define pun. Here are some examples of puns which may spark student imagination:

denial - "Cleopatra was queen of denial." (the Nile)

aardvark - "It is aardvark but it pays well". (hard work)

"When confronted by danger, the mother skunk says to her children 'Let us spray'." (Let us pray)

2. Before viewing Paul Mesner's version of Rapunzel, read or assign your students to read the original version. Have a brief discussion. Older students may interested to know that many fairy tales were originally used to teach lessons on morality to children. What is the moral of the story of Rapunzel? How is the morality lesson affected by this parody?

3. Bring in samples of the vegetables listed as vocabulary words. Make a salad or bring in a dip and have taste tests with your students.

Focus Student Viewing

1. While viewing Rapunzel, have students listen for and write down any puns they hear.

2. Have students watch for differences and similarities between the two versions of Rapunzel.

Post-Viewing

1. Have a brief discussion on the puns your students heard in the story. Replay portions of the program containing the puns if necessary.

2. Discuss the similarities and differences of story elements (plot, setting, characters, etc.) between the two versions.

3. Which versions do students like best? Why?

4. Do you think Rapunzel and Prince Spinach will really live happily ever after?

5. Are you satisfied with the way the story ends? Why? Why not? Can you suggest another ending?

6. Where did the witch blast off to? Do you think she will ever return to the lives of Rapunzel and Prince Spinach? Will she be good or evil?

7. Do you think Rapunzel will ever find her true parents? Will they be happy? Why?

8. What makes a character good? What makes a character evil? Who was good and who was evil in this story? What other fairy tales have good/evil characters pitted against each other?

Extensions

Math

1. Make a chart showing five different vegetables that you think would be student favorites. Have students place an "X" by their favorite. Have students develop a bar graph showing the results. Older students can figure the percentage of students who prefer each vegetable. Conduct a school-wide survey. Tabulate the results and ask the cafeteria manager to serve that vegetable for lunch.

2. Find a recipe that uses several vegetables. Enlarge the recipe to serve all the students in the class or all the students in the school.

Science

1. In Paul Mesner's version of Rapunzel many vegetables and fruits were named. Using old magazines, have students make a collage of vegetables and fruits and explain the importance of having these in their daily diet.

2. Rapunzel uses several chemicals on her hair. How many products do we use on our hair? Do all these chemicals that we use have an environmental impact? What about the packaging? Are there substitute products that would produce the same results and have a less negative impact on the environment? What about other chemicals we use for personal grooming?

3. Look at a hair from your own head under a microscope. Compare several different hairs--blond, brunette, red. Wash hands thoroughly after this experiment. Look at hair from other animals--dogs, cats, animal pelts--and compare/contrast with human hair.

Creative Writing and Oral Expression

1. Write a story or a poem about the wedding of Prince Spinach and Rapunzel.

2. Prince Spinach rescued Rapunzel from the evil witch. Have students write about whether they would try to rescue someone in difficulty if it involved endangering themselves.

3. Pick one character from this story and write a letter to them. Have students from the high school or higher other grades return the letters from the characters' point of view.

4. Write a different ending to this story. How about one where Rapunzel rescues herself, or one where she has to return to save the Prince from the witch?

Art

1. Create a diorama from a shoe box of a favorite scene from the story.

2. Allow students to pick their favorite fairy tale and create a diorama around that story. A written summary of the tale should accompany the scene.

3. Create a book jacket for this story.

4. Design a business card for the Prince.