Core Skills Analysis
English
Jeremy read three different versions of the Three Little Pigs – the classic tale, Jon Scieszka’s "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs" and Roald Dahl’s rendition in "Revolting Rhymes" – and then completed a sequencing worksheet. He compared how each author structured the story, noting differences in beginning, middle, and ending, as well as the use of humor and perspective. By retelling the plot in his own words, Jeremy practiced identifying key narrative elements such as characters, setting, problem and solution. This activity helped him understand how text structure guides a reader’s comprehension.
Science
Jeremy built three houses using dry grass, sticks, and Lego bricks, experimenting with construction styles appropriate to each material. He observed which designs stayed upright and which collapsed when he simulated wind by blowing on them, learning about strength, stability and the physical properties of natural versus manufactured materials. Through this hands‑on investigation, Jeremy began to grasp basic engineering concepts like load distribution and material suitability. The activity also encouraged careful observation and descriptive language about his findings.
The Arts
Jeremy created paper puppets for the three pigs and the wolf, then performed a dramatic retelling of the story using the houses he had built from grass, sticks and Lego bricks. He acted out the blowing‑down of each structure, integrating movement, voice, and timing to convey tension and humor. After the performance, Jeremy watched the film "Shrek" and discussed how the movie reimagines fairy‑tale creatures, linking his own storytelling to contemporary media. This artistic experience developed his imagination, expressive skills, and ability to analyse different portrayals of the same narrative.
Tips
1. Turn the house‑building experiment into a formal inquiry by having Jeremy measure the height and base dimensions of each structure, record results in a simple table, and graph which material withstands the strongest "wind" force. 2. Invite Jeremy to write an alternative ending for each version of the Three Little Pigs, encouraging him to switch the pig’s or wolf’s role and explore cause‑and‑effect in storytelling. 3. Extend the drama by having Jeremy design and construct a simple stage backdrop using recycled materials, then rehearse a short puppet play for family members, integrating feedback on voice projection and pacing. 4. Connect the theme to mathematics by calculating how many sticks or Lego bricks are needed to build a wall of a given length, reinforcing counting, addition and early multiplication concepts.
Book Recommendations
- The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka: A humorous retelling that flips the classic tale by giving the wolf a chance to explain his side.
- The Three Little Pigs by James Marshall: A beautifully illustrated edition of the traditional folk story that emphasizes clear narrative structure.
- Shrek! by William Steig: A picture book that reimagines fairy‑tale creatures in a modern, witty way, perfect for linking to the film discussion.
Learning Standards
- English – AC9E3LA01: Jeremy identified how different versions of the Three Little Pigs were structured to provide information and entertainment, analysing text features.
- Science – AC9SFU01: He observed and described the external features and properties of natural (grass, sticks) and manufactured (Lego) materials while constructing houses.
- HASS – AC9HS5K04: Jeremy evaluated the needs (stability, protection) versus wants (appearance, convenience) when selecting resources for building.
Try This Next
- Create a Venn diagram comparing the three building materials (grass, sticks, Lego) for strength, flexibility and ease of use.
- Write a diary entry from each pig’s perspective describing how they chose their building material and what they learned.