The Wind In The Willows Study Guide Based on the classic book by Kenneth Grahame Kenneth Grahame was born on March 8, 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland. For three years during his childhood, Grahame lived with his grandmother. She lived near the river Thames and Windsor Forest. He considered the time he lived beside the lovely river and forest the best years of his life. So, later, after he had grown-up and had a son of his own, those happy memories of such a beautiful place inspired him to write The Wind In The Willows. The book is a series of stories written as a gift for his partially blind and sickly son, Alistair. Alistair loved storytelling at bedtime so much, and was very upset when he found out that he was going to spend some time at the seaside because of his health. His father had to stay in town to work. Alistair didn t want to go to the beach without his imaginative bedtime stories. Kenneth Grahame promised his son that he would send him a chapter a day of the story he was telling him about an adventurous toad and his friends. He kept his promise, and Alistair looked forward to those chapters in the mail. Alistair s nurse was charmed by the stories and kept them all safe, sending them back to Grahame who put them all together in a book called The Wind In the Willows. He published the book, and it became a huge success with adults and children. The book s popularity made him a fortune, allowing him to retire from the job he hated as a banker and move to his beloved river Thames. His most popular character in the book is Mr. Toad. Children love him, because he is so funny and exciting. His wild and loveable spirit inspired A.A. Milne (author of Winnie The Pooh) to write a play, Toad of Toad Hall. In 1949, Walt Disney made a cartoon version called, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. About A.C.T. For Youth Since, 1999 the Atlantic Coast Theatre For Youth has been enlightening audiences across the United States with its entertaining and educational live theatre productions and workshop programs. The Atlantic Coast Theatre For Youth is a professional touring theatre company, based in Orlando, FL. Check out our website to discover more! www.atlantic-coast-theatre.com 1
ANIMALS FROM THE BOOK- WIND IN THE WILLOWS Although the book s main characters are animals, they are really representations of different types of people. They do not behave like real animals do. They live in the human world, wear human clothes, and talk and act like people. Mr. Toad- This adventurous toad is very rich and lives in the finest house in the area, Toad Hall. Mr. Toad loves life, and is always starting a new hobby that he becomes obsessed with. In the book, he becomes fascinated with motor cars. Toad makes lots of mistakes, he is always bragging, and he can be very proud. Still, no matter what, he cares for his friends Ratty, Mole, and Ratty- Mole- Badger- Weasels- Stoats- Ferrets- Badger very much. As a water-rat, Ratty loves living on the water beside the river, spending his days boating, eating, and thinking about life. Although he is poor, he loves his life as a poet and a student of nature. He gets very upset with Toad s antics, but always remains his friend Mole is very much like a child. He loves to learn new things and see new places. He came to the Riverbank one day on accident from his home under the ground. Everything in this new world is special to him. He is also very shy. The elderly character from the book Badger is a burrowing mammal who likes his dark home. He is often cranky, but is very wise. Sneaky animals who live by the in the Wild Wood with a long slender body, a long tail, short legs, and brownish fur. In the story, they take over Toad Hall and like to make rude jokes about Mr. Toad. Also called minks they gang up with the weasels to take over Toad Hall. Another weasel-like and very rowdy mammal that patrol the backyard of the captured Toad Hall 2
VOCABULARY WORDS HERE ARE A FEW WORDS FROM THE PLAY THAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW Embellishment- Aimless- Squander- Trivialities- Reckless- Withered- Languish- Sentries- Hapless- Skirmishing- Vulgar- Venture- Chivvying- Adding extra details to a story to make it more interesting. Without direction or purpose. To lose something. Things that are of little importance. Careless. Dry and shriveled up. To exist in miserable and unhappy conditions. Guards who keep people from entering or leaving places. Having no luck. To engage in a minor battle or fight. Lacking in good taste. To boldly go somewhere. Scurrying or running about. Some Interesting Toad and Water Rat Facts Toads typically have dry, warty skin. Frogs typically have smooth, wet skin. Frogs have longer legs than toads. So frogs jump while toads hop. You cannot get warts from holding a toad. The correct term for an English water rat, like Ratty, is a WATER VOLE. Their population in England is declining in numbers. Many people worry that the water vole will become extinct. Water voles hunt in the water for food and make their homes by rivers, streams, and lakes. Water voles are very different looking than rats. Their eyes are smaller, they are very furry with round faces, they can close their nostrils to keep water out when they swim, and their ears are small and furry. 3
Pre-Show Activities You will be seeing a live theatre production. What are the differences between a play and movies or TV? What kinds of theatre manners should be used when watching a play? The book, Wind In The Willows, is a treasured piece of literature. Because Kenneth Grahame mailed each chapter to his son, the chapters read like individual stories. Some chapters are funny, some are exciting, and others are very calm and heartwarming. Although the characters are animals and children love the stories, the style of the book, published in 1908, is sometimes difficult for young readers. Still, the book is wonderful and worth reading. For younger students, have a teacher or parent read them chapters aloud from the book. For older elementary and middle school students, have them read chapters on their own. How is the book written differently from books you have read before? Which characters from the book did you like? Which of the characters do you think you are most like? Post-Show Activities Mr. Toad and Ratty are good friends even though they are very different from one another. How are you different from your friends? How do your differences make your relationship interesting? How do you work through your differences when they cause a problem? The instrumental music in A.C.T. for Youth s production, Wind In The Willows is made with the items in the dining room. Find items in your classroom that make interesting noises. Sing a song you all know and add an accompaniment with the instruments you find. Ratty loves to write poems, especially about nature and his beloved river. What do you really care about in life? Write a poem about something that means a great deal to you. Mr. Toad is obsessed with driving a car, and he gets into lots of trouble because of it. Cars are a wonderful invention, but driving them carelessly is very dangerous. What are some other things in life that are good but if they are treated recklessly turn out very bad? The trial scene in the show allowed audience members to be part of the play. Reenact that scene in the play with your fellow classmates. Let different people play the parts of Ratty, Toad, Judge, Prosecutor, Defense Lawyer, and Jury. Switch parts. How could the story have turned out differently in the courtroom scene? Try playing the scene in different ways. A play or movie adaptation of a book can only tell part of the story. There are lots of wonderful sections of Wind In The Willows that could not be put into our play, and the playwright added some things from his imagination. What are other books you have read that have been made into movies or plays? What things were left out? What things were added? Compare and contrast reading books and seeing the movie or play adaptation. Write us letters, and tell us what you think! We love receiving pictures and letters from students and teachers. Atlantic Coast Theatre ~ 8297 Champions Gate Blvd. #188 ~ Champions Gate, FL 33896 4
The Wind In The Willows National Standards: Kindergarten 4 th Grade (By participating in the Study Guide activities, watching the performance, and encouraging classroom discussion of the play, your students can meet aspects of several National Education Standards) NA-T.K-4.6 COMPARING AND CONNECTING ART FORMS BY DESCRIBING THEATRE, DRAMATIC MEDIA, AND OTHER ART FORMS Students describe visual, aural, oral, and kinetic elements in theatre, dramatic media, dance, music, and visual arts Students compare how ideas and emotions are expressed in theatre, dramatic media, dance, music, and visual arts NA-T.K-4.7 ANALYZING AND EXPLAINING PERSONAL PREFERENCES AND CONSTRUCTING MEANINGS FROM CLASSROOM DRAMATIZATIONS AND FROM THEATRE, FILM, TELEVISION, AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA PRODUCTIONS Students explain how the wants and needs of characters are similar to and different from their own Students articulate emotional responses to and explain personal preferences about the whole as well as the parts of dramatic performances NA-T.K-4.8 UNDERSTANDING CONTEXT BY RECOGNIZING THE ROLE OF THEATRE, FILM, TELEVISION, AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA IN DAILY LIFE Students identify and compare similar characters and situations in stories and dramas from and about various cultures, illustrate with classroom dramatizations, and discuss how theatre reflects life Students identify and compare the various settings and reasons for creating dramas and attending theatre, film, television, and electronic media productions NA-M.K-4.9 UNDERSTANDING MUSIC IN RELATION TO HISTORY AND CULTURE Students demonstrate audience behavior appropriate for the context and style of music performed NSS-USH.K-4.1 LIVING AND WORKING TOGETHER IN FAMILIES AND COMMUNITITES, NOW AND LONG AGO Understands family life now and in the past, and family life in various places long ago NSS-USH.K-4.3 THE HISTORY OF PEOPLES OF MANY CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD Understands selected attributes and historical developments of societies in Europe NL-ENG.K-12.2 UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE Students read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the many dimensions of human experience 5
The Wind In The Willows National Standards: 5 th 8 th Grades (By participating in the Study Guide activities, watching the performance, and encouraging classroom discussion of the play your students can meet aspects of several National Education Standards) NA-T.5-8.6 COMPARING AND CONNECTING ART FORMS BY DESCRIBING THEATRE, DRAMATIC MEDIA, AND OTHER ART FORMS Students describe characteristics and compare the presentation of characters, environments, and actions in theatre, musical theatre, dramatic media, dance, and visual arts Students express and compare personal reactions to several art forms Students describe and compare the functions and interaction of performing and visual artists and audience members in theatre, dramatic media, musical theatre, dance, music, and visual arts NA-T.5-8.7 ANAYZING AND EXPLAINING PERSONAL PREFERENCES AND CONSTRUCTING MEANINGS FROM CLASSROOM DRAMATIZATIONS AND FROM THEATRE, FILM, TELEVISION, AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA PRODUCTIONS Students describe and analyze the effect for publicity, study guides, programs, and physical environments on audience response and appreciation of dramatic performances NA-T.5-8.8 UNDERSTANDING CONTEXT BY RECOGNIZING THE ROLE OF THEATRE, FILM, TELEVISION, AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA IN DAILY LIFE Students describe and compare universal characters and situations in dramas from and about various cultures and historical periods, illustrate in improvised and scripted scenes, and discuss how theatre reflects a culture NSS-WH.5-12.7 ERA 7: AN AGE OF REVOLUTIONS Patterns of nationalism, state-building, and social reform in Europe and the Americas 1830-1914 NL-ENG.K-12.2 UNDERSTANDING THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE Students read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the many dimensions of human experience 6
ATLANTIC COAST THEATRE FOR YOUTH The Wind In The Willows Florida Sunshine State Standards: Pre-K-2 nd Grades (By participating in the Study Guide activities, watching the performance, and encouraging classroom discussion of the play, your students can meet aspects of several standards) THEATRE TH.A.1.1 The student acts by developing, communicating, and sustaining characters in improvisation and formal or informal productions Creates imagined characters, relationships, and environments using basic acting skills Creates individually and in groups, animate and inanimate objects through the movement of the human body TH.C.1.1 The student understands context by analyzing the role of theatre, film, television, and electronic media in the past and present Expresses remembered ideas, feelings, and concepts of daily activities through dramatic play Understands how we learn about ourselves, our relationships, and our environment through forms of theatre Understands characters, situations, and dramatic media from the stories and dramas of various cultures TH.D.1.1 The student analyzes, criticizes, and constructs meaning from formal and informal theatre, film, television, and electronic media Portrays imaginary sensory experiences through dramatic play Gives reasons for personal preferences for formal and informal performances Understands appropriate audience responses to dramatic presentations Understands how theater communicates events of everyday life Understands the similarities and differences between play acting, pretending, and real life TH.E.1.1 The student understands applications of the role of theatre, film, television, and electronic media in everyday life Understands the similarities and differences among how emotions are expressed in theatre, dramatic media, music, dance, and visual art Cooperates with others to create formal and informal theatrical works and to solve the problems inherent in simple scenes MUSIC MU.D.1.1 The students listens to, analyzes, and describes music Understands how music can communicate ideas suggesting events, feelings, moods, or images MU.E.2.1 The student understands the relationship between music and the world beyond the school setting Knows appropriate audience behavior in a given music setting LANGUAGE ARTS LA.C.1.1 The student uses listening strategies effectively Listens for a variety of informational purposes, including curiosity, pleasure, getting directions, performing tasks, solving problems, and following rules Recognizes personal preferences in listening to literature and other material Retells specific details of information heard, including sequence of events LA.E.1.1 The student understands the common features of a variety of literary forms 7
ATLANTIC COAST THEATRE FOR YOUTH The Wind In The Willows Florida Sunshine State Standards: 3rd-5th Grades (By participating in the Study Guide activities, watching the performance, and encouraging classroom discussion of the play, your students can meet aspects of several standards) THEATRE TH.A.1.2 The student acts by developing, communicating, and sustaining characters in improvisation and formal or informal productions Creates imagined characters, relationships, and environments using basic acting skills TH.C.1.2 The student understands context by analyzing the role of theatre, film, television, and electronic media in the past and present Understands how theatre is an interpretation of actual events in history and everyday life Understands how theatre reflects culture through universal characters and dramas from various cultures and historical time periods TH.D.1.2 The student analyzes, criticizes, and constructs meaning from formal and informal theatre, film, television, and electronic media Knows how theatre uses visual elements (e.g. set design and costuming), sound (e.g. sound effects and vocal inflection), and movement (e.g. staging and character portrayal) to communicate Understands the similarities and differences between real life and the theatre s representation of life (e.g. the meaning of the concept, willing suspension of disbelief ) Articulates emotional responses to the whole, as well as parts of, dramatic performances TH.E.1.2 The student understands applications of the role of theatre, film, television, and electronic media in everyday life Understands theatre as a social function and theatre etiquette as the responsibility of the audience Collaborates in the construction of formal and informal productions MUSIC MU.E.2.2 The student understands the relationship between music and the world beyond the school setting Knows and applies appropriate audience behavior in various musical settings LANGUAGE ARTS LA.C.1.2 The student uses listening strategies effectively Listens and responds to a variety of oral presentations, such as stories, poems, skits, songs, personal accounts, and informational speeches Identifies specific personal listening preferences regarding fiction, drama, literary nonfiction, and informational presentations LA.E.1.2 The student understands the common features of a variety of literary forms Identifies the distinguishing features among fiction, drama, and poetry and identifies the major characteristics of nonfiction Understands the development of plot and how conflicts are resolved in a story 8
ATLANTIC COAST THEATRE FOR YOUTH The Wind In The Willows Florida Sunshine State Standards: 6th-8th Grades (By participating in the Study Guide activities, watching the performance, and encouraging classroom discussion of the play, your students can meet aspects of several standards) THEATRE TH.C.1.3 The student understands context by analyzing the role of theatre, film, television, and electronic media in the past and present Understands how social and universal concepts in various cultures and historical periods are expressed through universal themes in theatre Understands the social impact of historical and cultural events on the theatre (e.g., art imitates life, life imitates art) TH.D.1.3 The student analyzes, criticizes, and constructs meaning from formal and informal theatre, film, television, and electronic media Understands a character in a play through exploration of internal characterization (e.g., emotions and motivations) and external characterization (e.g., background, posture, mannerisms, and dress) Understands the relationship of plot, conflict, and theme in a play Develops criteria for the evaluation of dramatic texts and performances Understands that theatre experiences involve empathy (e.g., vicarious identification with characters and actions) and aesthetic distance (e.g., recognition that the play is not real life) TH.E.1.3 The student understands applications of the role of theatre, film, television, and electronic media in everyday life Understands the reasons for personal reactions and audience reactions to various media and multiple art forms (e.g., staging environment, past experiences, culture) MUSIC MU.E.2.3 The student understands the relationship between music and the world beyond the school setting Understands the uniqueness of music and its importance in society LANGUAGE ARTS LA.C.1.3 The student uses listening strategies effectively Listens and uses information gained for a variety of purposes Acknowledges the feelings and messages sent in a conversation LA.C.2.3 The student uses viewing strategies effectively Determines main concept, supporting details, stereotypes, bias, and persuasion techniques in a nonprint message LA.E.1.3 The student understands the common features of a variety of literary forms Recognizes complex elements of plot, including setting, character development, conflicts, and resolutions 9