Elmer
Elmer the elephant is coloured in bright patchwork. No wonder the other elephants laugh at him! If he were an ordinary elephant colour, the others might stop laughing. That would make Elmer feel better... wouldn't it?
Role Play
Mime a scene in the story. Freeze in a scene when the teacher pauses you. Actors are to explain what they would say or what they would be thinking at this moment in the story.
Critical question: How would your friends react if you were different from everyone?
Retell the Story
Day 1- Play the story to class. Before they start listening remind them to think about the parts of the story and what is happening at the beginning, middle and end.
Critical question: What happened in the book? Why do you think it happened? etc.
Comparison
Day 2- Create an Explain Everything comparing Elmer to the ‘average elephant’ - what things are the same, what things make him unique?
Critical question: What was unique about Elmer (besides just the way he looked)?