Wong Kids Study Guide

7/27/2019 Wong Kids Study Guide

1/22

Co-produced with Ma-Yi Theater Company

By Lloyd Suh

Directed by Ralph Pea

Cargill Stage

October 23 November 14

Grades 3+

ST

UDYGUIDE

10:30am Student Matinee


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Inside the Study Guide

2-3. WELCOME LETTERHello from CTC!2013-2014 Season at a Glance

4. SHOW PREPERATIONBefore, During, and After the ShowTheatre Vocabulary

5-6. PLAY/STORY PREPERATION

A Brief DescriptionCast of Main CharactersLife Lessons and ThemesVocabulary

7-8. AUTHOR STUDY

Ma-Yi Theater CompanyAuthor Biography- Lloyd Suh

Director Biography- Ralph Pea

9-16. CLASSROOM ACTIVITIESGrades 3-5The Wong Kids and the Secret to Being a

Hero (Teacher Answer Key on page 10)Character Traits (List of Traits on page 12)My Fantastic Binominal

Grades 6-7+Resilient HeroesHeros JourneyLegends, Myths and Superheroes

17-19. PLAY/STORY CONNECTIONSScene Breakdown of the PlayFocus Questions by Scene (Before and

After the Play)

20-22. ADDITIONAL RESOURCESOnline ResourcesBibliographyAcademic Standards

Welcome Teachers, Educators, and Parents,

We are so excited that youre here for our 2013-

2014 season, Imagine That. Its a season lled withunlikely friendships, travels to space, uproarious

pantomime, black light puppetry, fairy tales of epic

proportions, and much more.

The Wong Kids in the Secret of the SpaceChupacabra Go!is a world-premiere co-

production with Ma-Yi Theater Company in NewYork, an award-winning theater company whose

mission is to develop and produce new and

innovative plays by Asian American writers. Theconversation started four years ago between CTC

Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius and Ma-Yi Theater

Company Artistic Director Ralph Pea. How couldthe two theaters work together to help Ma-Yi grow

its family audiences and for CTC to develop new

work from Asian American artists? Commissioningwonderfully inventive playwright Lloyd Suh was theanswer and The Wong Kids was born. The play will

head to New York after its CTC premiere.

As you know, research has shown that the early

years in a childs lifewhen the human brain is

formingrepresent a critically important windowof opportunity to develop a childs full potential

and shape key academic, social, and cognitive

skills that determine a childs success in school

and in life. The Arts are a crucial tool for teachingempathy, expanding imagination and introducing

ideas that challenge our thinking.

The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space

Chupacabra Go!as with all the plays on our stage

this season, is a product of the imagination andhard work of every actor, director, playwright, and

artist at CTC. We hope you, your students, and

your family will be transported to the worlds wehave created. We hope our plays spark dialogue

between friends, classmates and family membersand that everyone shares in the power of active

imagination.

See you at the theatre!

Warmly,

Nina StultzNina Stultz

Student Matinee Coordinator


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Reserve Your Tickets Now!

To reserve tickets to any of our 2013-

2014 Student Matinees please visit

our website, childrenstheatre.org.Our school trips and tickets section

contains all the information you need

including order forms, performance

run dates, price charts, and subsidyapplications.

Questions? Contact Nina Stultz

at 612.872.5166 or nstultz@

childrenstheatre.org for moreinformation.

For more information about any of our 10:30AM Student Matinees or to reserve ticketsplease go to childrenstheatre.org/index.php/education/school-trips-and-tickets or call612.872.5166

Photo by: Pixel Dust Photography

2013- 2014 Student Matinee

Season at a Glance

Charlottes WebSeptember 25 - October 24, 2013

ASL/AD date October 2ndReading Level: Grades K+

UnitedHealth Group Stage

The Wong Kids in The Secret of the SpaceChupacabra Go!October 23 - November 14, 2013

ASL/AD date October 23rdReading Level: Grades 3+

Cargill Stage

CinderellaNovember 19 - December 20, 2013

ASL/AD date December 4thReading Level: All Ages


The Very Hungry Caterpillarand other Eric Carle FavoritesJanuary 16 - February 20, 2014

ASL/AD date January 29thReading Level: Preschool+


The Scarecrow and His ServantMarch 19- April 3, 2014

ASL/AD date March 26thReading Level: Grades 3+


BalloonacyMarch 25 May 2, 2014

Reading Level: Preschool+

Cargill Stage

Shrek the MusicalApril 29 - May 20, 2014ASL/AD date May 7th

Reading Level: All Ages


Dr. Seuss The Cat in the HatMay 27- June 5, 2014

Reading Level: Grades Pre-K+Cargill Stage


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Check out these quick and easy ideas to helpyour students learn how to integrate the arts intotheir classroom and beyond!

BeforePreparing your students

Read the graphic novel (found online atchildrenstheatre.org/wongkids)

Review the Cast of Main Characters andVocabulary (found on page __)

Discuss good audience behavior (look, listen,

and sit quietly but laugh when its funny!),applaud at the end.

DuringEngaging your students

Encourage your students to Listen for vocabulary words and themes dis-

cussed before seeing the play. Choose one character to follow throughout

the play Pay attention to life lessons and themes in

the play

AfterRefectingwith your Students

Questions to ask your students: What surprised you about the story? What ways to did Bruce and Violet change

throughout the play? What themes/characters did you identify with?

Theatre Vocabulary

Actor: A person who performs a role in the play.

Audience: The group of people that watch and

respond to the play.

Backstage: The area of the stage that cannot beseen by the audience.

Blocking: The planned way actors move onstage.

Cast: The group of actors who portray the rolesin the play.

Character: The role, or personality, the actorportrays.

Costume: The clothes worn by the actors onstage.

Design: The creative process of developing andimplementing how the play will look and feel.Costumes, lighting, sets, and make-up are alldesigned.

Director: The person who oversees the entireprocess of bringing the play to life on stage.

Dress Rehearsal: The nal practiceperformances when the play is done in full

costume and with all of the technical elements(light, sound, effects) in place.

House: The area where the audience sits.

Performance: The live event shared by the cast

and the audience.

Play: A story written for the stage.

Playwright: A person who writes stories for the

stage.

Prop: Any item on the stage used (carried,moved, manipulated) by the actors.

Scene: A section of a play, also called an act.

Set: The physical environment that creates thetime, place, and mood of the play.

Stage Manager: The person who coordinatesall aspects of the play during production andperformance.

Before, During, and

After the Show

Photo by: Dan Norman


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A Brief Description

Violet and Bruce Wong just dont t in with theother Earth kids. When a neighbor informs Violet

and Bruce that an ancient evil beast called theSpace Chupacabra is destroying planets, theymust use their newly discovered superpowersto save the universeif they can stop arguing.Violet and Bruce ultimately realize that beingdifferent isnt so bad when they have each other.

Violet Wong: Unpopular 8th grade girl who hassecret super powers

Bruce Wong: Her pipsqueak nerdy brother, whomarches to his own beat and also has secretsuper powers

Mailman: The neighborhood mail carrier

Stinson: Bruce and Violets neighbor who is aspace alien from the planet Grixnoo

Captain Mars: Friends with Stinson who is also aspace alien from the planet Grixnoo

The Great Prognosticator: From Grixnoo andsees all things before they happen

Bandersnatch: A frumious* imaginary wildanimal who captures Bruce

Nobody: Violets echoing voice/inner thoughtsthat become the character Nobody in the landof Anyplace Else

Gyoza: A giant boulder creature

Gimbop: A giant boulder creature

Qweeguin: A helpful and intelligent dragon that

leads the Wong Kids to the Chupacabra

The Imperious Canute: The brave andbenevolent leader of the planet Grixnoo

The Space Chupacabra: A mythical, legendarycreature with roots in the melding, mashing ormangling of creatures together

Woofenwolves: Creatures from the planetGrixnoo

Cast of Characters

The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!

Bruce:Well its probably some

sort of an electromagnetic

disturbance that is shifting thegravitational pull of distant stars and

galaxies in a way that might eventually

interfere with the orbital normalcy of

the earths rotation.

Violet:Youre such a nerd.



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Life Lessons and ThemesDiscover your own ideas about the themes ofThe Wong Kids... Here are some to get youstarted:

Everyone struggles with their identity and

feels like an outsider at times but its howyou overcome the struggle that makes thejourney worthwhile.

You may not like someone or dont getalong but there is power in comingtogether in truth and justice for thecommon good.

The Wong Kids... focuses on overcomingobstacles, nding your identity, the powerof togetherness, diversity and the love offamily.

Paranormal: Not in accordance with scientic

laws; seemingly outside normal sensory

channelsIntergalactic: Of, relating to, or situated betweentwo or more galaxies

Catastrophe: An event causing great and oftensudden damage or change

Armageddon: The place where the nal battlewill be fought between the forces of good andevil

Telepathic: The ability to communicateover a distance without the use of verbalcommunication

Precipice: A situation of great danger

Prognosticate: To predict according to presentindications or signs; foretell

Frumious*: Phrase coined by Lewis Carroll in1871, who said it was a blend of fuming andfurious

Petulant: Childishly sulky or bad-tempered

I refer you to Chapter Two of my

book, How To Breathe In Outer

Space Without a Helmet, by CaptainMars, ParanormalGuru.

he Wong Kids in the Secret of the

pace Chupacabra Go!Vocabulary



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Ma-Yi Theater Company

ma-yitheatre.org

Our History

The Obie Award-winning Ma-Yi TheaterCompany is a not-for-prot organization founded

in 1989 to develop and present new plays andperformance works that essay the Filipino-American experience.In 1998, we expanded our mission to include

new works by other, non-Filipino, Asian Americanplaywrights. This widened focus was proddedby the growing need to provide a developmentalvenue for Pan Asian-American texts.In May 2003, Ma-Yi Theater Companysproduction of The Romance of Magno Rubio

was honored with Obie Awards for Lonnie Carter(playwright), Loy Arcenas (director), the entire

cast including Art Acua, Ramon de Ocampo,Ron Domingo, Jojo Gonzalez, Orlando Pabotoy,and Ralph Pea (lyricist).Ma-Yi has produced critically acclaimedproductions of new works by Michi Barall, LindaFaigao-Hall, Jessica Hagedorn, Chris Millado,Qui Nguyen, Han Ong, Ralph B. Pea, SungRno, Lloyd Suh, and Alice Tuan, among others.Our work is anthologized in Savage Stage,

a collection of plays developed and producedby Ma-Yi Theater. Ma-Yi Theater Companysworks have won 10 OBIE Awards, a DramaDesk nomination for Best Play, numerousHenry Hewes Design Award nominations, andin May 2010, a special Drama Desk award formore than two decades of excellence and fornurturing Asian American voices in stylistically

varied and engaging theatre.Ma-Yi is the term used by ancient Chinesetraders to refer to a group of islands that isknown today as the Philippines. A documentwritten sometime around 1318 and titled WenShiann Tung Kuo (A General Investigation ofthe Chinese Cultural Sources) contains a strayreference to the Philippines that dates back to982 AD. The text reads: There were traders of

the country of MA-YI carrying merchandise tothe coast of Canton in the seventh year of Tai-ping-shing-kuo.

About

Founded in 1989, Ma-Yi Theater Company is a

Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning not-for-prot501(c)(3) organization whose primary mission isto develop and produce new and innovative playsby Asian American writers. Since its founding,

Ma-Yi has distinguished itself as one of the

countrys leading incubators of new work shapingthe national discourse about what it means to be

Asian American today.

We provide a home for generative artiststo take big innovative risks as they hone

individual and collective skills. We encourage our artists to stake new creative

territories by pushing Asian American Theater

beyond easily identiable markers. We challenge popular prescriptions of what

culturally specic theater should be byproducing challenging, forward-thinking plays

written by todays most exciting playwrights. We aspire to be exemplars of how theater

can be an active local partner to our diversecommunities, while participating in larger,

global conversations about our roles as artists/citizens.

We are guided by knowing WHY and for

WHOM we create.

Another pre-Spanish source is the Tao-i-chih-lio(Description of the Barbarians of the Isles) by

Wang Ta-yuan, dated 1349 AD, with the followingreference to MA-YI: The people boil seawater to

make salt and ferment (molasses) to make liquor.The natural products are kapok, yellow beeswax,tortoise shell, betel nuts, and cloth of variouspatterns. The Chinese goods used in trading arecauldrons, pieces of iron, red cloth or taffetas ofvarious color stripes, ivory, tint (a Chinese silvercoin) or the like.We chose this name in recognition of the vibrantculture that existed in Ma-Yi, prior to the coming

of the colonizers from the West.


8/22PAGE 8

Author and Director Biography

Lloyd Suh

Lloyd Suh is the author of American Hwangap(forthcoming: Magic Theater in San Francisco,Ma-Yi/Play Co. in New York), The Children ofVonderly(Ma-Yi), Masha No Home(EST, East

West Players), The Garden Variety, Great WallStory, Happy End of the World, among others.His plays have been presented across the

country at additional theaters and festivalsincluding the Lark Play Development Center, OjaiPlaywrights Conference, New York Stage & Film,McCarter Theatre Centers IN-Festival, StamfordCenter for the Arts and others. He has been

the recipient of grants and commissions fromthe NEA/Arena Stage New Play DevelopmentProject, the Jerome Foundation, South CoastRepertory, Theatre Communications Group,the New York Foundation of the Arts, and theNew York State Council on the Arts, and was

honored by the National Asian American TheaterCompany and Pan Asian Rep with the Lilah KanRed Socks Award in recognition of an artists

commitment to community service. He currentlyserves as Artistic Director for Second Generationand Co-Director of the Ma-Yi Writers Lab, thelargest resident company of Asian Americanplaywrights ever assembled.

Ralph Pea

Ralph Pea is a founding member and thecurrent artistic director of Ma-Yi TheaterCompany, an Obie Award and Drama Desk-winning Asian American theatre group basedin New York City. As a playwright, his worksinclude Flipzoids, Project: Balangiga, This EndUp, and Loose Leaf Bindings. He received an

Obie Award for his work on The Romance ofMagno Rubio. Recent directing credits includeMichael Lews Microcrisis, Lloyd Suhs Childrenof Vonderly, and Nicky Paraisos House/BoyforLaMama ETC, and the Singapore and DublinTheatre Festivals.


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The Wong Kids and the Secret to Being a Hero (3-5)

Name_________________________________ Date________________

Review the vocabulary words. Fill in the denition. Provide examples from life (before the play) andfrom the show (after the play).

Vocabulary Denition Life Example Show Examples

Charity

Service

Volunteer

Hero

Leader

Role model

Philanthropy

Discuss how these terms are related to heroic actions and Bruce and Violet.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Who do you consider a hero? Where do we see heroes? In what ways are you a hero?


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Teacher Answer Key

A hero does things to help others. A hero contributes to society in a positive way. A hero doesnt always know that anyone else knows what he or she does. A hero doesnt usually receive money and may not receive status for the deed. The work a hero performs often goes unnoticed.

A hero may or may not be recognized by the media. A hero uses talents or abilities to impact others or society in a positive way.

Charity (noun)

Tolerance or understanding in judging others. The giving of money or other help to needy people. A group or fund organized to help needy people.Service (noun) The act or work of helping others; aid. Work or employment for someone else.Volunteer (noun)

Someone who does a job or gives services freely and usually without pay. (verb) to give or offer usually without being asked.Hero (noun) Any person admired for great courage, nobility, qualities, or achievements and regarded as an

ideal or model.Leader (noun) A person that shows the way or directs others.

To guide or direct by inuence to do something. To be at the rst or head of.Role Model - (noun)

A person who is usually successful or inspiring in some social role, job, position, and so serves asa model for others.

Philanthropy - (noun) Private action for the public or common good.

PUT IT INTO ACTION!

Divide the class into small groups and pass out three to four index cards per group. Each group willcome up with a sentence for each index card using the new vocabulary words.

The groups can then share their sentences, and the class may identify the correct vocabulary term

from the sentence. If you have seen the play, have the groups create sentences about the actions ofBruce and Violet and the other characters in the performance with the new vocabulary words.

Academic Standards: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: 3.1.7.7; 4.1.7.7; 5.1.7.7 Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: 3.8.4.4; 4.8.4.4; 5.8.4.4


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Character Traits (3-5)

Name_________________________________ Date________________

Before the Play: Choose a character from the play to follow. Pay attention to the following facts andquestions.

After the Play: Fill in the following information. Partner up with someone who has the same charac-ter and see how your answers are similar and different.

Character

What do you knowabout the character?

(draw conclusions)

*Character Traits

(choose adjectives from back)

How did the character

change over time?

Characters Problem

How did the charactesolve the problem?


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Character Traits

afraid*angry*artistic*athletic*

beautiful*bold*bored*bossy*brave*

brilliant*busy*calm*careful*charming*

cheerful*curious*dishonest*disrespectful*

embarrassed*evil*exciting*fair*fearful*

foolish*gentle*giving*greedy*grouchy*

helpful*honest*imaginative*intelligent*

jealous*mean*messy*nervous*nice*nosy*

polite*poor*proud*pretty* quick*quiet*respectful*

responsible*rude*sad*selsh*serious*shy*silly*smart*

sneaky*spoiled*strict*stubborn*sweet*talented*

terried*thankful* thoughtful*trusting*trustworthy*

unfriendly*unselsh*wacky*wild*wise*

wonderful*worried*

Academic Standards: Text Types and Purposes: 3.6.3.3; 4.6.3.3; 5.6.3.3; Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: 3.1.7.7; 4.1.7.7; 5.1.7.7; Research to Build Present Knowledge: 3.6.7.7; 4.6.7.7; 5.6.7.7; 4.6.9.9; 5.6.9.9


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My Fantastic Binominal (3-5+)

Name_________________________________ Date________________

Academic Standards: Artist Process Perform and Present: 4.3.1.4.1; Production and Distribution of Writing: 3.6.4.4; 3.6.5.5; 4.6.4.4; 4.6.5.5;5.6.4.4Research to Build and Present Knowledge: 3.6.7.7; 4.6.7.7; 5.6.7.7; 4.6.9.9; 5.6.9.9

1. Prepare a list for the following:

Unlikely Hero

1.

2.

3.

Preposition

1.

2.

3.

Object Found in Space

1.

2.

3.

2. Create a title by choosing one item from each category:

Title: ___________________________________________________________________________

Example: The Librarian (unlikely hero) underneath (preposition) the space monkey (objectfound in space)

3. Write your story on the back of this page or on a separate piece of paper. You have 5minutes to write your story. Share your story with the class or with a friend.


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Resilient Heroes (6-8+)

Name_________________________________ Date________________

The following seven attributes describe ways you can show resiliency when facing challenges. Keepin mind that you like most people may show some, but not all, of these attributes/strengths whenfaced with difcult situations.

Insight

Having insightmeans asking questions of yourself, even when the questions are difcult. If youanswer honestly, you can learn and move forward. Having insight helps you understand the problemand how to best solve it. Insight helps you analyze the situation from as many perspectives as youcan.

Independence

Showing independencemeans keeping a healthy distance between yourself and other people soyou can think things through and do what is best for you. It also means knowing how to step awayfrom people who seem to cause trouble or make things worse by their words or actions.

Relationships

Building relationshipsmeans nding connections with people that are healthy for both of you andkeeping those relationships growing.

Initiative

Taking the initiativemeans taking control of the problem and working to solve it. It means askingquestions of yourself and answering them as honestly as you can, so you can move past a stickysituation. Sometimes people who take initiative become the leader in activities and teamwork.

Creativity

Using creativityrequires that you use your imagination or resourcefulness to express your feelings,thoughts and plans in some unique way. Remember that when you make something happen, itshows resiliency of spirit and a positive attitude.

Humor

Humor is the abilityto nd something funny (especially yourself!) in a situation, even when thingsseem really bad. Humor often gives you the perspective needed to relieve tension and make asituation better.

MoralityBeing a person of moralitymeans knowing the difference between right and wrong and being willingto choose and stand up for what is right.

PREPARE an oral report comparing and contrasting the heroic acts of Bruce and Violet (orYOURSELF) with heroes throughout history. Be sure to include at least three attributes in yourcomparison.

Academic Standards: Grade 6: Language Arts, 6.5.4.4., 6.9.1.1.b., 6.9.1.1.c., 6.9.1.1.d., Social Studies, IV.C2.2., 6.12.4.4. Grade 7: Language Arts,7.5.4.4., 7.9.1.1.a., 7.9.1.1.b., 7.9.1.1.c., 7.9.1.1.d., Social Studies, 6.12.4.4., 6.12.7.7. Grade 8: Language Arts, 8.5.4.4., 8.9.1.1.b., 8.9.1.1.c., 8.9.1.1.dSocial Studies, 6.12.4.4


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Heros Journey (6-8+)

Name_________________________________ Date________________

A heros journey always starts with a common person from humble beginnings who encountersdifcult circumstances. They are then faced with saving the world. The hero repeatedly showscourage by facing stronger enemies or daunting obstacles. Their good character and wise and loyalfriends give them the strength they need to rise above their fears and limitations to ultimately changethe world.

DISCUSS the meaning of courage and heroism.

Write a few denitions below:

1.

2.

3.

IDENTIFY the following acts of courage.

Wong KidsThink about Bruce and Violet and identify their acts of courage. List a few below:

1.

2.

3.

Classic Heroes

Think about heroes you know from classic tales and identify their acts of courage. List a few below:1.

2.

3.

Modern HeroesThink about ordinary people who are heroes in todays world and identify their acts of courage. List afew below:

1.

2.

3.

PREPARE a written report comparing and contrasting the heroic acts of Bruce and Violet withclassic heroes or heroes of today. Be sure to follow the Heros Journey outline in your reportand add details from the play, pieces of literature and historical articles.

Academic Standards: Grade 6: Language Arts, 6.5.4.4., 6.9.1.1.b., 6.9.1.1.c., 6.9.1.1.d., Library/Technology, 6-8.1.IV.C.1, 6-8.1.V.B.2., 6-8.2.II.B.1.,Social Studies, IV.C2.2., 6.12.4.4. Grade 7: Language Arts, 7.5.4.4., 7.9.1.1.a., 7.9.1.1.b., 7.9.1.1.c., 7.9.1.1.d., Library/Technology, 6-8.1.IV.C.1,6-8.1.V.B.2., 6-8.2.II.B.1. Social Studies, 6.12.4.4., 6.12.7.7. Grade 8: Language Arts, 8.5.4.4., 8.9.1.1.b., 8.9.1.1.c., 8.9.1.1.d. Library/Technology,6-8.1.IV.C.1, 6-8.1.V.B.2., 6-8.2.II.B.1. Social Studies, 6.12.4.4.


16/22PAGE 16

Legends, Myths and Superheroes (6-8+)

Name_________________________________ Date________________

1. Read the following denitions:

Legends

Legends are stories about common people who have extraordinary talents and use them to benetsociety. Originally a legend was a short story that recounted the life of a saint.MythsA myth is a story that generally explains the creation of the world and the powers of the gods whorule the world.Superheroes

A superhero story is a fantastic narrative about human beings endowed with extraordinary powers.

2. Create a list of stories that fall into each category:(Some examples are provided below, ll in the remaining boxes)

Legends

The Pied Piper Hercules Superman

Myths Superheroes

3. Choose one story to study and work with:

Title: ________________________________________________ Type: ______________________

4. Complete the following based on your type of story:

LegendsLegends often have multiple endings or endings that can change. Read a legend and create three

different possible endings to be acted out for the class.MythsMyths often stem from Greek mythology. Create a list of Greek gods and includ pictures, facts andhistorical details. Have time for show and tell to reveal how myths affect our lives today.SuperheroesSuperheroes appear in modern day TV, lms, comics, etc. Choose a modern superhero to

compare to a well-known classic hero. Report back to your class or a partner on what you discover!

Academic Standards: Grade 6: Language Arts, 6.5.4.4., 6.9.1.1.b., 6.9.1.1.c., 6.9.1.1.d., Library/Technology, 6-8.1.IV.C.1, 6-8.1.V.B.2., 6-8.2.II.B.1.,.Grade 7: Language Arts, 7.5.4.4., 7.9.1.1.a., 7.9.1.1.b., 7.9.1.1.c., 7.9.1.1.d., Library/Technology, 6-8.1.IV.C.1, 6-8.1.V.B.2., 6-8.2.II.B.1. Grade 8:Language Arts, 8.5.4.4., 8.9.1.1.b., 8.9.1.1.c., 8.9.1.1.d. Library/Technology, 6-8.1.IV.C.1, 6-8.1.V.B.2., 6-8.2.II.B.1.


17/22PAGE 17

Scene Breakdown of the Play

1. In a suburban front yard, Bruce Wong is trying to lift rocks.using only the power of his mind.

His older sister, Violet, who thinks Bruce is a big nerd, stands by no way can her geeky brotherdo anything cool like move rocks with his mind. But then..a rock ies into the air! Bruce WongCAN levitate rocks.and so can Violet!

2. The Wong Kids super powers are discovered by their neighborsMars and Mr. Stinson whoare actually space aliens from the planet Grixnoo. Stinson and Mars have been sent to earth tond the heroes destined to save the universe from the evil Space Chupacabra.

3. After undergoing super power training with Mr. Stinson and Mars, Bruce and Violet are

transported to Grixnoo. Their mission: to nd the Great Prognosticator. He will tell themeverything they need to know to defeat the Space Chupacabra.

4. Dodging burning meteors, aming planetary moons and a stampede of panicked woofenwolves,Bruce and Violet make their way across Grixnoo to the home of the Great Prognosticator. But,

just as he is about to reveal all they need to know to defeat the Space Chupacabra, the GreatPrognosticator is struck down by a aming meteor.

5. Alone and scared, Bruce and Violet begin to ghtBruce wants to continue on their quest tosave the universe, Violet just wants to go home. As the ght escalates, Violet tells Bruce shewishes she were anywhere but hereand suddenly, she is gone! Bruce is kidnapped by aBandersnatch who ties Bruce up and prepares to eat him.

6. In a dark void somewhere in outer space, Violet realizes that her place is with Bruce and herdestiny is to help save the universe from the Space Chupacabra. She transports herself backto Grixnoo, just in time to save Bruce from becoming the Bandersnatchs dinner. The reunitedsiblings go off in search of the Great Dragon, Qweeguin...

7. With Qweeguins help, Bruceand Violet nd the SpaceChupacabraa massive, mysteriousspace ship. Once onboard,Bruce and Violet must confrontthe Imperious Canute, the leaderof Grixnoo, who reveals that it

was he who has built the Space

Chupacabra and sent it on itsmission to destroy the universe.Using sibling teamwork and theircombined super powers, Bruce andViolet defeat the Imperious Canuteand destroy the Space Chupacabra.

8. As they oat through space, Bruce and Violet celebrate their victory. The Wong Kids have saved

the universe! Now, they can head home for dinner.


18/22PAGE 18

Focus Questions by Scene

Scene QUESTIONS for Students

Before the Play: How would your life change if you discovered you had super powers?

How would you use your powers? For the good of others? For your own benet? In what ways do the people around us (our family, friends, etc) determine who

we are and how we feel about ourselves? Is this inuence negative? Positive?Both?

After the Play: Why do you think Violet still wants to live a normal life (one she doesnt even

like) after she nds out she has super powers? Describe in your own words how the inuences around Bruce and Violet

made them who they are today. Use examples from the play. Are any of these

inuences similar to your own life?

1

2

3

4

Before the Play: What special talents do you have that can be used to make a difference in the

lives of those around you? How do ordinary people become heroes? What do they do or say that makes

them a hero? Are heroes born or made?After the Play: The Wong kids have super powers and must learn how to use them quickly.

Are they successful or unsuccessful in preparing to face the evil SpaceChupacabra? Use example from the play.

Before the Play: What would you do rst if you found yourself on a new planet? How would you react if you found yourself in the presence of someone who

would predict things before they happened?After the Play: Do you think the super power training was helpful? Why or why not?

Before the Play: Would you like to know what is going to happen next in your life before it

happens? Would this situation be helpful? Hurtful? Both?After the Play: The Great Prognosticator was not able to tell the Wong kids everything they

needed to know about the Space Chupacabra. What other information did they

need to know?


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Focus Questions by Scene (continued)

Scene QUESTIONS for Students

Before the Play: Have you ever had to make a choice that was uncomfortable but you knew it wa

the right thing to do? What was it? Did it end up being the right choice after all?After the Play: If you were Bruce, how would you convince Violet to continue on the quest to

save the universe? Violet ends up in Anywhere but here and has to talk herself through her own

insecurities and struggles. How can we rid ourselves of negative self-talk and be

condent in who we are? Is this difcult? Why or why not?

5

6

7

8

Before the Play: Describe a situation in which you would need someone else to help you

accomplish something you could not do alone. Have you ever joined forces with someone to accomplish something that you

could not do alone? What did you accomplish? Why did you need this otherperson?

After the Play: If you were Bruce, would you want to try to save the universe alone or would you

want someone to help you? Violets feelings about Bruce change from the beginning of the story to the end

of the story. Provide evidence from the play to support this statement.

Before the Play: How does standing up for whats right make a difference in your own life and in

the lives of those around you?

Should we just give up if its uncomfortable or difcult to make the right choice?Why or why not?

After the Play: What tactics do Bruce and Violet use to defeat the Imperious Canute?

Before the Play: When it feels like all hope is lost, who in your life is always there to help?

What are some things you can accomplish with a team that you couldnt doalone?

After the Play: As the story ends, the Wong Kids save the universe. What ways have they been

changed throughout the journey? Provide details from the story to support thisstatement.


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Online Resources

http://changingminds.org/disciplines/storytelling/characters/heroic_characters.htmA site with explanations and denitions of all different kinds of heroes.

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/National Geographics fantastic and interactive site about space, the nal frontier! Photos, articles

and short videos all about outer space.

http://aliens.wikia.com/wiki/ChupacabrasA wiki dedicated to the myth and legend of the Chupacabra!

http://www.pbs.org/ancestorsintheamericas/aahistorysites.htmlA great list of resources on Asian American history and issues provided by PBS.

http://www.pbs.org/ancestorsintheamericas/timeline.htmlA wonderful timeline of Asian American History.

http://powerlisting.wikia.com/wiki/TelepathyTurns out theres a wiki dedicated to all types of super powers. This particular site talks all abouttelepathy...can you move rocks with your mind too?

Photoby:DanNorm

an


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Academic Standards

Academic Standards Statement

Childrens Theatre Companys school programs provide quality learning experiences for yourstudents. Our Teachers Guides provide a variety of lesson plans and educational activities whichare grounded in best practices for literacy and arts education and are strategically aligned with theMinnesota K-12 Academic Standards.

The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards identify the knowledge and skills that are to be masteredby all students by the end of a grade level and guide educators in the design of curricula. IndividualChildrens Theatre Company school programs will address standards for children Kindergartenthrough eighth grade in the following learning areas:

Language ArtsReadingMathematicsSocial Studies

Visual and Theater Arts

The following English Language Arts and Arts content standards can be experienced by attending

any school matinee and using the Teachers Guide. Additional information on how specic lessonplans align with the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards can be found within the followingLearning Activities.

Language Arts

Reading Benchmarks: Literature K-5Key Ideas and Details: 0.1.1.1; 1.1.1.1; 2.1.1.1; 0.1.2.2; 1.1.2.2; 2.1.2.2; 0.1.3.3; 1.1.3.3; 2.1.3.3;

3.1.2.2; 4.1.2.2; 5.1.2.2; 3.1.3.3; 4.1.3.3; 5.1.3.3Craft and Structure: 0.1.6.6; 1.1.6.6; 2.1.6.6; 3.1.5.5; 4.1.5.5; 5.1.5.5; 3.1.6.6; 4.1.6.6; 5.1.6.6Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: 0.1.7.7; 1.1.7.7; 2.1.7.7; 0.1.9.9; 1.1.9.9; 2.1.9.9; 3.1.7.7;4.1.7.7; 5.1.7.7

Reading Benchmarks: Foundational Skills K-5Phonics and Word Recognition: 0.3.0.3; 1.3.0.3; 2.3.03; 3.3.0.3; 4.3.0.3; 5.3.0.3

Writing Benchmarks K-5

Text Types and Purposes: 0.6.3.3; 1.6.3.3; 2.6.3.3; 3.6.3.3; 4.6.3.3; 5.6.3.3Production and Distribution of Writing: 0.6.5.5; 1.6.5.5; 2.6.5.5; 3.6.4.4; 4.6.4.4; 5.6.4.4;3.6.5.5; 4.6.5.5Research to Build and Present Knowledge: 0.6.7.7; 1.6.7.7; 2.6.7.7; 0.6.8.8; 1.6.8.8; 2.6.8.8;3.6.7.7; 4.6.7.7; 5.6.7.7; 4.6.9.9; 5.6.9.9

Speaking, Viewing, Listening, and Media Literacy Benchmarks K-5Comprehension and Collaboration: 0.8.1.1; 1.8.1.1; 2.8.1.1; 0.8.2.2; 1.8.2.2; 2.8.2.2; 0.8.3.3;1.8.3.3; 2.8.3.3; 3.8.1.1; 4.8.1.1; 5.8.1.1; 3.8.2.2; 4.8.2.2; 5.8.2.2

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: 0.8.4.4; 1.8.4.4; 2.8.4.4; 0.8.5.5; 1.8.5.5; 2.8.5.5;3.8.4.4; 4.8.4.4; 5.8.4.4


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Arts

Theater Arts K-3Artistic Foundations: 0.1.1.4.1Artistic Process: Create or Make: 0.2.1.4.1; 0.2.1.4.2

Artist Process Perform and Present: 0.3.1.4.2Artist Process Respond and Critique: 0.4.1.4.1

Visual Arts K-3Artistic Process: Create or Make: 0.2.1.5.1

Theater Arts 4-5Artistic Foundations: 4.1.1.4.2; 4.1.2.4.1; 4.1.3.4.2

Artistic Process: Create or Make: 4.2.1.4.1Artist Process Perform and Present: 4.3.1.4.1Artist Process Respond and Critique: 4.4.1.4.1;

Visual Arts 4-5

Artistic Process: Create or Make: 4.2.1.5.1

Coding SystemEach anchor standard has a benchmark identied by a four-digit code.

For example, in the code 5.2.8.8The 5 refers to grade ve;The 2 refers to the substrand, Reading Standards for Informational Text K-5;The rst 8 refers to the eighth CCR anchor standard, Delineate and evaluate the argumentand specic claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevanceand sufciency of the evidence;The second 8 refers to the benchmark for that standard, Explain how an author uses reasons

and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidencesupport which point(s).

For additional information:http://education.state.mn.us

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Wong Kids Study Guide

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