ZIGZAG

ZIGZAGBy Robert D. San SouciSecond GradeOutcome:Children will learn about point of view by listening to a story and demonstrate their understanding byanswering a question from Zigzag’s perspective.Materials:Follow Up Activity worksheetIntroductory Activity:Teacher shares the story, The Five Blind Men and the ElephantAn elephant once came to a small town. People had read and heard of elephants but no one inthe town had ever seen an elephant. So a big crowd gathered around the elephant.Five blind men also lived in that town. They had never seen an elephant. When they heard thatan elephant was in town, they wanted to find out what an elephant looked like. They could notsee the elephant and hence they were sad. A small child said that they could touch and feelthe elephant. Thus, they could get some idea of what an elephant looked like.The five blind men went to the place where the elephant was. People stepped aside so thatthey could go near the elephant and touch him. They were happy to have touched theelephant.Later, they sat down to discuss what they ‘saw’ with their hands.One blind man who had touched the trunk of the elephant said that the elephant was like abranch of a tree.The second blind man who touched the tail of the elephant said that the elephant was like asnake or a rope.The third blind man had felt a leg of the elephant. He said the elephant was like a pillar.The fourth blind man had touched an ear. He said the elephant was a huge fan.The fifth blind man, who had touched the side of the elephant, said that the elephant was like awall.They talked and talked. Each man thought that what he had felt was correct. They could notdecide what the elephant really looked like. Finally, they decided to go to a wise man in thevillage who had seen the elephant with his own eyes.1 of 5© 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

ZIGZAGBy Robert D. San SouciSecond GradeChecking Comprehension:• Who found Zigzag after the owl dropped him?• Where did the mice take Zigzag?• Why was Papa Mouse wise?• What animal do people consider wise? Was the owl wise in this story?• How did Zigzag get back at the owl?• What physical change did Zigzag experience after meeting the little girl? Why?Characterization:The first time we see Zigzag, he appears to have a sad look on his face. His sadness may stem from hisfacial expression, or it might be related to his feelings of exclusion. Could it be both? Follow Zigzag’sjourney and discuss how his facial expression changes with the changes in his environment or setting.Drawing Conclusions:• If the author asked you to rename Zigzag, what name would you give him?• Who was the most important person Zigzag met during his journey? Explain.• Could the author have chosen another doll as the main character and delivered the samemessage?• Why were the mice willing to look beyond Zigzag’s appearance and offer him help?• Do you think Zigzag will ever treat others unkindly?• Have you ever been unkind to another person?• If you were Zigzag, what would you want to say to the other dolls?• How did the other dolls make you feel?• Why did the author write this book?• Do you think the other dolls knew they were mean to Zigzag?Sequencing:Zigzag faces a series of problems and resolutions throughout the story.• List in sequential order the problems he encounters and their associated resolutions.• What do you think the author expects us to learn form Zigzag’s sequence of problems?3 of 5© 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

ZIGZAGBy Robert D. San SouciSecond GradeFollow Up Activity:• Ask the class how they thought Zigzag felt throughout the story?• Did other characters in the book influence his pride or self-confidence? Explain.• What would you have done if you were the main character in this story?• Students will complete a writing activity.o If students could only ask Zigzag one question, what would that question be?o Students should write their question down on a piece of paper, and not include theirname.o Teacher collects all questions and then re-distributes one to each student. Make surestudents do not receive their original question.o Answering from Zigzag’s point of view, students write a response to the question theyreceive.Extension Activities/Centers:• Math – measure and compare the lengths of different shapes in inches and centimeters.Determine perimeter of different shapes.• Spelling- add spelling words that reflect values illustrated in the book.o Caring, sharing, feelings, friendship, lonely• Write a new ending for the story.• Identify all the adjectives in the story and the word they modify (spiky hair, patchwork clothes,tiny wings).• Portray the point of view of another character in the story.4 of 5© 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

ZIGZAGBy Robert D. San SouciSecond Grade5 of 5© 2006 August House, Inc. All Rights Reserved.