PBTIL - McAuliffe Team

The Hat / Play (click for directions)
The Third Graders presented a series of plays based on Jan Brett's books.
They also wrote their reactions to the play.
Here is one of the performances :

The Hat

Winter was on the way. Lisa took her woolen clothes out of the chest and carried them outside.

She was hanging them up in the fresh air, when a strong wind blew one of her stockings off the line.

Curious Hedgie found it and pocked his nose in. When he pulled it out, the stocking was stuck on his prickles.

Hedgie: "How embarrassing."

The mother hen came by with her chicks.

Chick: Ja,ja,ja.

Mother Hen: What's that in your head?, Hedgie?

Hedgie: Why, it's my new hat? Isn't it beautiful?

The mother hen cocked her head as if she have an idea. And off she ran.

Hedgie saw the noisy gander looking down at him.

Gander: Honk. honk! Look at that! The hedgehog has flipped his gizzard."

Hedgie: Laugh today, Gander. But tomorrow when it rains, my hat will keep me dry."

The Gander thought for a moment. And off he ran.

The barn cat and the kitten were watching from a tree as Hedgie tugged at the stocking.

Cat: Meow. meow, meow.

Barn Cat: What a silly-looking hedgehog you are, with that thing on your head."

Hedgie: But my ears will be warm in a snowstorm."

Barn Cat: "Hmmmmmm,"

The farm dog and her puppy found Hedgie in a patch of brambles.

Farm dog: Hedgie, is that a hat you are wearing ? How funny you look!"

Hedgie: But I'll be cozy and dry when it snows."

The farm dog's ears perked up. And off she ran.

Piglet: Oink, oink!

Mama Pig: "What are up to, Hedgie?"

Hedgie: Making sure my hat doesn't fall if an icy wind blows up.

Mama pig: I see.

And off she ran.

Pony: "Hedgie, what is that ridiculous thing on your head?"

That was the last straw!

Hedgie: "My hat, of course. Don't you know that everyone should wear a hat in winter when it's cold and snowy!"

The pony looked stared. Hedgie was usually so friendly. And off he ran.

Hedgie just wanted to be alone. He was tired of everyone laughing at him, and with this thing on his head, he wouldn't even fit in his den.

He didn't see Lisa running after him, with the other stocking in her hand.

Lisa: Come back, you silly hedgehog.

Hedgie: "oh, no, even the girl is laughing at me.!

Lisa caught up and pulled her stocking off Hedgie's head.

Lisa: You ridiculous little hedgehog," Don't you know that animals don't wear clothes!"

Hedgie headed for his den, and Lisa startled back toward the clothesline. That's when she saw all of her missing woolens.

The animals had taken them and each one was thinking.

All animals: Now I am wearing a magnificent hat!

Lisa was still chasing them when Hedgie reached his den,

Hedgie: How ridiculous they look! Don't they know animals should never wear clothes.

This program is supported in part by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, University of Massachusetts, Lowell.