STORY SYNOPSIS
THE WHOLE STORY OF GOLDILOCKS & THE THREE BEARS
(A Goldilocks & Teddy Adventure)
© Madeleine Sklar 2007
10:28 Min
The Whole Story Of Goldilocks & The Three Bears provides a sequel to the traditional story as it answers my granddaughter’s question, “What happened after Goldilocks ran away from the three bears’ house?” This sequel, in turn, opened the gateway to a series of short stories about witches and short fairy tales, that describe the various adventures of the two friends, Teddy Bear and Goldilocks. The eco and green lesson plans and art projects offered with this short fairy tale teach children respect and to value the interconnected web of life. For these reasons this story and lesson plan will also appeal to Unitarian home schoolers.
GOLDILOCKS, TEDDY BEAR & THE LITTLE WITCH
(A Goldilocks & Teddy Adventure) © Madeleine Sklar 2007
12:12 Min
On the way to visit her friend Teddy, Goldilocks gets lost in a sudden fog. She finds herself at the house of Matilda, a tiny witch. When Goldilocks and Matilda fly to Teddy’s house, Matilda explains that she was not always tiny and pleads with the friends to help her get her magic wand back from the Wicked Wizard who stole it and shrank her to the size of a mouse. When they agree to help, the three fly to Castle Gloom, the Wicked Wizard’s home. This will be of interest to those wanting short stories about witches, and short fairy tales and lesson plans. It includes art projects for children and discussion topics that stimulate their imagination which makes it a good preschool literacy activity. The lesson plans can be used with older children for online home schooling.
COYOTE’S TRICK (A Goldilocks & Teddy Adventure)
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
10:21 Min
Mischievous Coyote decides to trick Goldilocks and Teddy into fighting first with each other and then with the fairies. When a fairy gets accidentally hurt, the two friends try to save her. The lesson plans that accompany this short fairy tale, offer nature projects and discussion topics that teach diversity to children and reference American Indian values, and the beliefs of indigenous peoples. The story and lesson plans will appeal to those doing online home schooling and Unitarian home schooling.
LATISHA & THE SHADOW LION
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
11:43 Min
When Latisha gets sick, her mother finds a porcelain lion to comfort and give her the courage to fight her sickness. In the nightlight glow the lion’s shadow grows to the size of a real lion. The Shadow Lion carries Latisha to a land where she finds her courage and by so doing, overcomes her fear and discovers she has the inner strength that helps her recover. The lesson plans and preschool literacy activities, accompanying this short fairy tale, offers science projects for children of all ages, which encourages eco and green awareness. The discussion topics help develop compassionate thinking.
THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREE
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
13:46 Min
The Little Christmas Tree is a short story about a young tree that longs to grow big enough to be “a lovely living Christmas tree.” “I’ll never be big enough,’ he whispered to the wind in his branches.” “A Dark-eyed Junco bird landed beside him ‘Be patient. You’ll grow. Seasons always change,’ she chirped cheerily nudging his needles with her beak.” The accompanying lesson plans which focus on teaching diversity to children and also inspiring eco and green values, makes it a perfect story for Unitarian home schooling.
THE TANGLEBEINGS
© Madeleine Sklar 2007
9:24 Min
If you’ve ever struggled to brush the tangles from a child’s hair, this short fairy tale is the perfect solution to your problem.
This is a story to be read, and retold during the hair brushing process. Verses can be added to the soothing songs. The description of the Tanglebeings one by one falling asleep as the nightingale sings and the blue fairy brushes them out, is engaging, and the telling can be extended by the adult, making the dreaded hair-brushing experience much more pleasant for all involved.
LITTLE RUDE
© Madeleine Sklar 2007
19:42 Min
This is a short fairy tale, about a girl originally named Princess Beauty. The third time she offends a fairy, the fairy re-names her Little Rude. It is only after the princess has learned important lessons that she is able to regain the name, Princess Beauty. This fairy tale and lesson plan is not only a good preschool literacy activity, it is also useful for elementary age children and online home schooling.
THE DAY MARRISA SENT HER BABY BROTHER BACK
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
12:13 Min
After her baby brother is born, Marrisa discovers that her mother doesn’t have the same amount of time for her. Also, her new baby brother is not as much fun as she thought he would be. When Marrisa decides to send him back to the hospital everyone learns an important lesson. I want this story to give parents and children a vehicle for sharing the emotions (fears, insecurities and needs) that underlie sibling rivalry.
TEDDY AND THE GIANT BEE
(A Goldilocks & Teddy Adventure)
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
9:41 Min
Seeing Teddy eating stolen honey, the wicked witch, Pivy, decides to have some fun. Casting a grow spell she makes the angry bee the size of Teddy. Although the terrified bear gives the honey back, The bee no longer fits in her hive. She begins to cry. Teddy, compassion overcoming greed, suggests Matilda, the good witch, can help. In this short fairy tale, when the former enemies become friends, everyone wins. Children who love short stories about witches will particularly enjoy this story. The fairy tale and lesson plan inspires children’s scientific curiosity. With the focus on teaching eco and green values and on teaching diversity to children it is a perfect story for online and Unitarian home schooling.
GOLDILOCKS AND TEDDY RESCUE THE RAINBOW FAIRY
(A Goldilocks & Teddy Adventure)
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
17:02 Min
One summer day as Teddy and Goldilocks play in the lush garden, they are shocked to see all the colors vanish. Suddenly everything fades to black, white, and shades of grey. When Matilda the witch arrives asking for their help rescuing the rainbow fairy from the Wicked Wizard’s clutches, the friends need their wits, and all their courage, to free the fairy and return colors to the world. The lesson plan and discussion topics accompanying this short fairy tale, encourages children’s scientific curiosity. It will be of interest to those who love short stories about witches and the varied lesson plans are also geared to online home schooling for children of any age. The topic’s are useful for teaching diversity to children and will be ideal for Unitarian home schooling.
THE BULLHEADED KING
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
15:55 Min
The princess cries because there is no butter. Her father the king, offers a generous reward to anyone with a cow who can provide it. Smitz, a poor farmer, counts on the reward to buy schoolbooks for his daughter. When the selfish king reneges on his promise, the fairies transform the king’s head to that of a bull to teach him a lesson. When the princess learns the reason for the change in her father’s appearance, she is angry and races to correct the wrong her father has done. The lesson plan that accompanies this short politically correct fairy tale has both preschool literacy activities and activities for older elementary students as well. A children’s story with a moral, this is a good teaching short story.
TWO FERRETS’ HATS
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
6:08 Min
Sebastian wears his new boots when he goes to visit his Tanta Lulu and her little dog, Bridget. While eating toast and jam, they are alerted by Bridget’s furious barking. It seems the mischievous ferrets have stolen and hidden Sebastian’s boots. It is only Tanta Lulu’s ingenious idea, and a few stitches, that persuade the ferrets to return the boots. The lesson plan that accompanies this short story has value as a preschool literacy activity and will also be of interest to those who are online home schooling older children with an interest in the natural sciences.
IN THE MONSTER ANT’S TRAP
(A Goldilocks & Teddy Adventure)
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
11:57 Min
On a day in early spring, Goldilocks and Teddy go to visit Matilda, the witch. Although they promised to remain on the path, Goldilocks leaves it to pick a beautiful red tulip. Tugging the flower, Goldilocks begins sliding into the giant ant’s trap. When Teddy tries to help, he too falls in. Fortunately, at the last moment, Matilda hears their cries and rescues them. This will appeal to those who like short stories about witches.
This short fairy tale and lesson plan inspires children’s scientific curiosity. It’s a perfect story for online home schooling. With a focus on teaching eco and green values and teaching diversity to children, it makes a perfect story for Unitarian home schooling.
ROGER AND ELLIE - TWO SHY
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
11:21 Min
Roger and Ellie are two painfully shy children who, while simultaneously attempting to avoid a social interaction, crash into each other. The accident cracks open their protective walls and they discover the comfort of being understood and the delight of having a friend. The lesson plan and discussion topics that accompany this teaching story, opens the door to communication about feelings that shy children often have trouble expressing. Discussing the questions is a useful preschool literacy activity in that it helps children become more articulate about their emotions.
VIOLET AND THE PIRATES
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
19:43 Min
“Violet lived in a time when people rode in carriages pulled by horses, and in ships with sails driven by wind rather than gas or electricity, as they are today.” So begins the story wherein Violet, separated from her parents finds herself shipwrecked alone on an island. Moon Water, discovers the crying child and in spite of her strangeness brings Violet to her mother. One day on their way to the beach, the girls discover pirates have landed with two ragged slaves (Violet’s parents). With the girls help, in a daring raid Violet’s parents are freed, and the terrified pirates, banished. In a great celebration, the reunited family joins the island community. This lesson plan inspires children’s scientific curiosity. It’s a perfect story for online home schooling. With a focus on teaching eco and green values and teaching diversity to children, it makes a perfect story for Unitarian home schooling.
THE COLOR FAIRIES
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
8:35 Min
This short fairy tale begins :“Once upon a time the Rainbow Fairy lived on a cloud with her three oldest children who each had their own bubble room. Their mother called them her three Primaries because they were the first of their kind and primary means first. The little fairies names were Primary Red, Primary Yellow, and Primary Blue. They were called that, because each fairy’s color was so clear and strong.” THE COLOR FAIRIES is both a fairy tale and lesson plan, as the fairies dance and play music, mixing colors while they visit each other’s bubble worlds. It provides an excellent art project for children to learn about color mixing and it is also a good preschool literacy activity.
GOLDILOCKS UN-GROWS
(A Goldilocks & Teddy Adventure)
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
18:10 Min
One snowy day the wicked witch, Pivy, having grown bored mixing her potions, flies off looking to make trouble. Spying Goldilocks on her new sled, Pivy sprinkles un-grow powder on the child. The next morning, Goldilocks alarmed, realizes she is shrinking but to her dismay only her friend Teddy believes her. The two finally turn to their last hope for help, Matilda, a good witch. This short story about witches addresses the important issue of asking for help if you are worried or troubled. It stresses the importance of continuing to search and speak out until you find a caring adult who will listen and help. This short fairy tale and lesson plan is perfect for those wanting a good preschool literacy activity that can also be useful for elementary age children who are online home schooling.
DIEGO AND LUCA
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
9:01 Min
Diego and his dog Luca live in a tree house in the tallest tree in the forest.
When loggers come to cut his tree down, Diego begs them to give him a little time. The loggers agree to give him two weeks. One evening before bed, Diego from his high perch, notices a distant fire. When he calls the forest service to warn them he manages to save not only the forest but his home as well. This lesson plan inspires children’s scientific curiosity. It’s a perfect story for online home schooling. There is a focus on the importance of protecting our old growth forests, and teaching eco and green values. Children’s curiosity is stimulated concerning alternative building materials. It makes a perfect story for Unitarian home schooling.
ROMEO THE THEATER CAT
© Madeleine Sklar 2008
10:01 Min
Romeo lives with a girl named Sally. To earn their keep, Sally runs the box office in the theater below and Romeo keeps the place free of rats and mice. All goes well until Romeo spies a mouse racing for the dressing-room during a Production of Romeo and Juliet. Giving chase, he accidentally discovers open pots of makeup and decides to fulfill his dream of becoming an actor. This amusing story and the accompanying lesson plans, includes art projects for children and discussion topics that stimulate their imagination. This makes it a good preschool literacy activity. It will be especially appealing to children who love acting and playing dress-up. The lesson plan’s literacy activities will also be of interest to elementary age and older children who are engaged in online home schooling.
KIDNAPPED BY THE WIRE WIZARD
(A Goldilocks & Teddy Adventure)
© Madeleine Sklar 2009
18:52 Min
Goldilocks is a clever girl, smart enough to run into her house and lock the door as the Wire Wizard approaches her. However, when she hears scratching, she peeps out. When she sees the Wire Wizard in his disguise as a “kitty,” the unsuspecting girl invites him inside. While Goldilocks offers the kitty a bowl of milk, the wizard throws off his disguise and thrusts her in his sack. As the wizard heads for Castle Gloom, Teddy (on his way to visit Goldilocks) hears her cries for help and follows. This short fairy tale and lesson plan is perfect for those wanting a good preschool literacy activity that can also be useful for elementary age children who are engaged in online home schooling.
THE BIRD GIRL
© Madeleine Sklar 2009
18:27 Min
When Tamar and Samuel’s prayers are answered, Tamar gives birth to a beautiful baby girl, Zipporah. All goes well until her first day of school. Although mercilessly taunted by the other children at school, Zipporah must return. With her mother’s guidance, she makes a friend, and everyone learns an important lesson about the value of uniqueness. The lesson plans that accompany this short fairy tale, offer projects and discussion topics that teach diversity to children. The story and lesson plans make it a good preschool literacy activity. It will also appeal to those engaged in online home schooling and Unitarian home schooling.
ARTHUR, THE REBELLIOUSE DRAGON
© Madeleine Sklar 2009
16:36 Min
Arthur is a dreamer who’d rather watch a beautiful sunset or listen to music than burn, pillage and create mayhem like the other dragons. Worst of all, much to his parents’ dismay, he even fails at hoarding. Finally exiled from Dragondom, the world of his childhood, he discovers a new world and a makes a new friend.
THE HAUNTED MIRROR
© Madeleine Sklar 2009
19:32 Min
This short fairy tale for children is my response to my granddaughter’s request for a “scary story.” Although she loved it, I’ve labeled it PG, since some children are more sensitive then others and I don’t want to be responsible for any child’s nightmares. In this scary short story for kids, Goldilocks and her friend Teddy, break their promise to her mother to “stay on the path.” Instead they enlist the help of their dragon friend Arthur in an end of summer adventure. The friends discover a haunted castle and are trapped in an evil magic mirror.
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