ENRICHMENT
GUIDE
Production
Sponsor
Production
Media Sponsor
Adapted from the RAMONA books by Beverly Clear
Adapted by Len Jenkin
y
Please be sure to share this guide with all teachers who are
taking their students to see this production. Photocopy or
download additional copies from www.firststage.org
preparing for the play
Synopsis..................................... 2-3
Within this guide we have included a range of materials and activities. As
teachers, you know best the needs and abilities of your students; therefore, please
feel free to pick and choose and/or adapt any of the suggestions for discussion or
activities.
We encourage you to take advantage of our photocopy-friendly format and
generate copies of the entire guide for each classroom and copies of handouts for
your students.
Have fun and enjoy the show!
YiRen Tsai , Academy/Education Associate
(414) 267-2975 or [email protected]
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Len Jenkin.................................. 4
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Beverly Cleary............................ 5
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Steve McCormick....................... 6
before or after the play
THEATER
Breaking the Fourth Wall.......... 7
ART
Paper Plate Puppet.................... 7
Drawing—My Favorite.............. 8
—
Discuss proper audience behavior with your students. While applause and laughter,
when appropriate, are appreciated and anticipated, unnecessary noise or movement by
audience members can distract the actors and other audience members and affect the
quality of the performance for everyone. It is very important that students understand
how their behavior can affect a live performance. You, the teacher, and other adult
chaperones for your group have the primary responsibility for being sure your students
behave appropriately. We ask that chaperones sit among the students, and not
together in a group behind the students. Our ushers will react to disruptions and
attempt to quell them, and we reserve the right to remove any student causing a distraction from the theater.
*Because of union regulations the use of recording equipment and cameras is
strictly forbidden in the theater.
*Food, drink, candy and gum are not permitted in the theater.
MATH
Learning About Budgeting....... 8
LANGUAGE ARTS
Writing: This is My Family......... 8
Leaf Poem.................................. 9
GEOGRAPHY
Ramona Needs Your Help......... 10
Who Said It?
Answers...................................... 10
Discussion Questions................ 11
Books by Beverly Cleary........... 12
Resources................................... 12
Before and after the play
Drawing—My Favorite!............
Math—Learning about
Budgeting...................................
Writing—This is My Family.......
Geography—Ramona Needs
Your Help...................................
Who Said It? ..............................
13
14
15
16
17
*Any portable radios brought to the theater by students will be kept by the House
Manager during the performance and returned to the group leader at the
conclusion of the play.
*There is no smoking in the theater, by order of the Fire Marshal.
*Should a student become ill, suffer an injury or have another problem, please escort
him or her to the theater lobby and ask an usher to notify the House Manager
immediately.
*In the unlikely event of a general emergency, the theater lights will go on and someone will come on stage to inform the audience of the problem. Remain in your seats,
visually locate the nearest exit and wait for First Stage ushers to guide your group
from the theater.
Seating for people with disabilities: If you have special seating needs for any student(s) and did not
indicate your need when you ordered your tickets, please call the Box Office at (414) 267-2962
NOW. Our knowledge of your needs will enable
us to serve you better upon your group’s arrival Fridays at 7:00 p.m.
at the theater.
Sept. 9, 30 and Oct. 7
Twenty family performances of Ramona
Quimby are scheduled. If you know of
friends or colleagues who might enjoy
seeing this play, please tell them about
these public perf o rmance opport u n i t i e s .
For tickets and prices, please call the
M a rcus Center box office, 414/273-7206.
The number for TDD (deaf and hard - o f hearing patrons) is 414/273-3080.
Saturdays at 1:00 p.m.
Oct. 1
Saturdays at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 17
Saturdays at 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 24
Saturdays at 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 10 and Oct. 8
Sundays at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 11, 18, 25, and Oct. 2 & 9
*the Sunday, October 9th, 3:30 p.m. performance
will be interpreted for deaf and hard of hearing
patrons.
The play opens with an invitation of friendship as Beatrice “Beezus” Quimby, elder sister of
Ramona, delivers a brief introduction of her
family, friends and neighborhood to the audience.
Beezus is frequently interrupt by her “pesky”
younger sister in her presentations. The audience
is welcomed with open arms into the life of the
Quimby family. Beezus and Ramona trade casual
insults as they introduce friends and family, and
quarrel over which recent events are important
enough to share with their new friends, the audience. Ramona attempts to usurp Beezus’ position
of narrator, but she is reprimanded gently by her
mother before rushing off to her first day of third
grade.
Ramona’s classmates, Howie and Susan,
congregate at Glenwood School. Susan has just
enough time to show off her expensive doll named
Tiffany before the third grade teacher, Mrs. Griggs,
takes control of the class. After explaining that
“fun is not allowed in this classroom,” Beezus
appears for a moment, narrating that she forgot
to inform Ramona that the first day of third grade
is always Show-and-Tell in Mrs. Griggs’ class. The
next moment, the announcement is made.
Ramona realizes that she is unprepared and frantically begins turning out pockets to find something
suitable to show. Howie and Susan show their toys,
with Susan’s impeccably dressed doll as the main
attraction, and Ramona makes do with a shabby
old doll named Chevrolet. Mrs. Griggs insists her
overactive imagination will get her into trouble
someday.
After Ramona returns from school, we find
her making mischief at home as well. Beezus was
attempting to make dinner for their Aunt Bea, but
Ramona sabotaged her lasagna: she hid her doll
in the dish because Beezus wouldn’t accept her
help in the kitchen. A volley of tears, insults and
sibling rivalry is brought to a halt only when Aunt
Bea arrives, carrying a bagful of Whopperburger
dinners for the whole Quimby family. Ramona is
still upset, however, and she tearfully confesses
she’s a horrible girl because she hates her sister.
The adults assure her that all siblings have times
when they don’t love each other, thinking of the
spiteful sister dynamic that existed between Aunt
Bea and Mrs. Quimby when they were children.
Beezus is relieved that someone like Ramona can
grow up to be as wonderful as Aunt Bea, and the
crisis is suspended.
The scene shifts to another day with
Ramona at school, this time making masks for the
annual Halloween parade. Ramona, bright and
imaginative as usual, is busily crafting a scary owl
mask, but Susan begins copying Ramona’s mask.
When Susan is given credit for the idea and
Ramona is accused of cheating, Ramona cannot
control her temper and rips up Susan’s mask. After
refusing to apologize, Ramona is sent home in a
frustrated sulk.
While Ramona dramatically decides she has
no future and that nobody understands her, she
meets Howie’s teasing uncle, Hobart. Hobart has
recently returned from Saudi Arabia after striking
oil and becoming rich, and Ramona is excited to
meet a millionaire. But she is disappointed and
upset to find the real Hobart is a jokester who
enjoys singing songs specifically tailored to embarrass Ramona. Hobart is very excited to learn that
Bea is Ramona’s aunt, as they were very good
friends back in high school. Disenchanted with the
idea of an adult who teases like a child, Ramona
informs a nonplussed Hobart that Bea moved to
Los Angeles “just yesterday.” Hobart is thrilled
with the prospect of seeing Bea, and Ramona is
even more irritated.
Brewing with resentment and ill feeling,
Ramona stalks home to find her parents waiting to
talk to her about the day’s events at school. After
explaining the circumstances, Mr. and Mrs. Quimby
remain adamant that she must apologize, and that
she certainly must return to school. They explain to
her that Susan is the one she should feel sorry for,
because she doesn’t have much imagination of
her own. With promises of Whopperburger and
reassurances that she’s been missed at school,
Ramona agrees to apologize for smashing Susan’s
owl, which she does the next day.
At this point, the Quimby family’s life takes
an unexpected turn. Mr. Quimby loses his job and
leaves the family without a stream of income. The
family gathers for a meeting to discuss how
Continued on page 3
—
each of them will have to contribute and sacrifice
to make their lives work, at least for a little while.
At the prospect of no Whopperburger for an
indeterminate period of time, Ramona is very
disappointed. To add to her eight-year-old woes,
Aunt Bea calls and cancels their date for a trip to
the zoo the next day, although she promises to
come to their house for dinner later and bring a
fabulous surprise. The first act ends with Mrs.
Quimby’s hope that everything will be better soon
Act two opens with the presentation of
Aunt Bea’s fabulous surprise: Howie’s Uncle
Hobart! Although the Quimby family as a whole is
delighted and tries their hardest to make Hobart
feel at home, Ramona is obstinately unforgiving of
Hobart’s jokester personality and refuses to be
polite. Ramona’s life is further complicated with
the announcement that her mother will be looking for a job, starting tomorrow. Ramona is
informed that after school, she will be looked
after by old Mrs. Kemp, Howie’s Grandmother.
Mrs. Quimby tells Ramona that being grownup
means doing things that you don’t necessarily
want to do, but Ramona insists she’s not ready to
grow up just yet.
Winter falls on Klickitat Street and finds the
Quimby family discontented. Mrs. Quimby is
the sole breadwinner, and Mr. Quimby stares disconsolately at the television while his daughters
grow increasingly nervous. Ramona, determined
to help, is inspired by a commercial and decides to
become a child star, acting on television to earn
money for her family. Unfortunately, her attempts
at stardom backfire as she insults her teacher the
next day at school by repeating a line from a
pantyhose commercial.
Just as Ramona asks her Aunt Bea if she
knows any talent scouts, the announcement is
made: Aunt Bea and Hobart are getting married
and then leaving for Alaska in just two weeks!
Hobart has oil prospects in Alaska and Bea is
sure she can find a teaching job. The two are
very much in love, but Bea regretfully informs the
girls that there isn’t going to be a wedding; there
just isn’t time. Ramona is saddened at the idea of
losing Aunt Bea without so much as a good-bye
wedding, and wants her favorite Aunt to stay
home, even though she knows it’s selfish.
—
The Quimby family seems to be falling
apart. Mr. Quimby is depressed and aloof, and Mrs.
Quimby is tired and grumpy from work. Just as a
yelling match seems unavoidable, Mr. Quimby
announces that the family needs a break; they’re
all going out to Whopperburger for dinner, to
have a family meeting! The family has a discussion
at dinner about how even though they’ve been
grouchy lately, there’s still enough love to go
around. The Quimbys reaffirm their love for one
another over Whopperburgers and Coke (or, in
Ramona’s case, a Doublewhopper, fries and a
chocolate shake), and then toast to themselves
before asking their waitress for the check. Happily,
the waitress tells them that their meals have
already been paid for! An old man had thought
that they looked like a very loving family, and
since he missed his own family, he decided to give
them a free meal. The Quimby family decided that
they actually are a very loving and happy family,
although “nobody’s sweet and loving all the time;
if they are, they’re boring.”
In the following scene, it’s drawing near to
the end of third grade for Ramona, and she and
Beezus are having a late-night chat. They both
know that their Aunt Bea really wants a proper
wedding, even though she leaves the day after
tomorrow. So together they plan a surprise. The
next day they tell Hobart how much Bea wants a
real wedding, and the mad dash is on! With Mrs.
Quimby’s old wedding dress, a few crazy shopping
trips, frantic phone calls and the neighbors for
guests, a three o’clock wedding is planned for that
afternoon. Although the bridal shop owner is
skeptical at first, Ramona and Beezus’ tearful pleas
move her to help them find dresses and suits in
record time.
One beautiful wedding and a postcard
from Alaska later, Ramona’s getting ready for her
first day in fourth grade. Mr. Quimby managed to
get his old job back— with a promotion to boot—
and Mrs. Quimby is really enjoying her work as
well. Ramona’s excited for school, but she puts off
racing to the schoolyard with Howie to hear her
sister’s closing monologue. Beezus wraps up the
play, saying that change happens but that “life
goes on – in a kind of miraculous way.”
Len Jenkin is a playwright, writer, screenwriter and director. His plays for adults include Dark
Ride, Pilgrims of the Night, My Uncle Sam, Blame It on the Night, Welcome to Oblivion and American
Notes. His works have been produced throughout the United States, as well as in England, Germany,
France, Denmark and Japan. His novel, New Jerusalem, was published by Sun & Moon Press. In 1999, he
wrote a children’s book, The Secret Life of Billie’s Uncle Myron, with his daughter, Emily.
He has received many honors and awards, including three OBIE Awards for Directing
and Playwriting, a Guggenheim Fellowship, an Emmy Award nomination and four NEA
(National Endowment for the Arts) fellowships. His most recent works are his collaboration with Big Dance Theatre on Plan B (Bonn Biennale, Dance Theater Workshop NY)
and Like I Say (directed by the author at the Flea Theatre, NY). He is currently a
Professor in the Dramatic Writing Program at New York University’s Tisch School of the
Arts in New York City.
Set designed by Rick Rasnussen
—
Beverly Cleary’s works have earned countless awards and attracted
generations of fans. However, few are aware that when Cleary was a
child, she disliked reading, and struggled with it early in grammar school.
But this little girl who hated reading grew to become one of the most
critically acclaimed and adored authors of our time.
On April 12, 1912, Beverly Bunn was born in McMinnville in Yamhill
County, Oregon—a town so small it had no library. Her family moved to
Portland, Oregon, where Beverly attended grammar school and high
school. She was placed in the “blackbird” reading group, the lower circle
of readers in her class.
A combination of a kinder teacher, better health and a little
extra help from her mother helped Beverly move out of the “blackbird”
group in the second grade. While she had become sufficient at reading,
Beverly never excelled. She rarely read outside of the classroom because she found children’s literature to
be dull.
When Beverly was in the third grade, she by chance decided to pick up a book entitled The Dutch
Twins by Lucy Fitch Perkins to look at the pictures. Beverly was mesmerized by a story that stretched
beyond the usual folktales. She not only finished that book in one day, she also read its sequel, The Swiss
Twins, in the same day. That year, Beverly developed a passion for reading, spending most of her time
either reading books or walking to and from the library.
In 1934, Beverly left home and moved south to attend college. After graduating from a junior
college in Ontario, California, and the University of California-Berkeley, she went on to attend the School
of Librarianship at the University of Washington-Seattle, where she specialized in library work with
children.
Working in the library brought Beverly in touch with children from all walks of life, but it was the
children who built scooters out of apple boxes and roller skates that truly inspired her. These children
sparked her to write her first book in 1950 about a boy named Henry Huggins who lived on Klickitat
Street, a real street in Portland close to where Beverly grew up. Her manuscript for Henry Huggins was
accepted by the very first publisher she sent it to—a rare occurrence in the world of literature.
Soon after she had finished her Henry Huggins series, Cleary felt attracted to a smaller character
in the series, Ramona Quimby; she ultimately penned a series revolving around the imaginative little girl.
A couple of years later, Cleary witnessed her son racing a miniature toy motorcycle along the stripes on
his bedspread, creating his own fantasy world. This vision inspired her to write The Mouse and the
Motorcycle series about Ralph the mouse. Other books were written with suggestions from her young
readers. Cleary later wrote two autobiographies: A Girl from Yamhill and My Own Two Feet.
Beverly worked as a librarian in Yakima, Washington until she married Clarence Cleary and moved
back to California. The Clearys have two children and still reside in California. Beverly Cleary now enjoys
traveling and needlework.
~by Leslie Rivers, First Stage Intern
—
“I don’t want to grow up—not yet. I’m not old enough.”
It is hard to believe that Beverly Cleary’s unforgettable character, Ramona Quimby, has been
around for 50 years. Especially considering that Ramona was an accident. She first appeared very briefly
in Cleary’s book Henry Huggins. At the time, the book featured children with no siblings, and Cleary
thought it would be nice if one of the characters—Henry’s friend Beezus—had a little sister. While she
was writing, Cleary accidentally overheard someone outside her house call out for someone named
“Ramona,” and the rest is history. Over the past 50 years, it has been no accident that Ramona has made
her mark as one of the most recognizable characters in children’s literature, due to her spunk and
adventurous nature. She is inquisitive and passionate and all the wonderful things we adults remember
about being a kid. At the same time, Ramona is also a very real character. She makes mistakes, gets
jealous and often loses her temper. In short, she is like any child you know or any child you were—she
wants to squeeze all the juice from life and not let any moment pass without making the most of it.
Above all else, Ramona loves her family. The play you are about to see is not only about this gregarious
eight-year-old but it is also about families of all kinds—not just the people to whom you are related but
also those to whom you find yourself turning during times of need. This play takes a look at a year in the
life of the Quimby family with all of its ups and downs, smiles and frowns. No matter how tough things
seem to get, the Quimbys always seem to find a way to pull through by focusing on what truly matters—
family. And at the center of it all is Ramona: questioning, teasing, laughing, pouting, exploring and being
true to herself. Let’s all wish her a happy fiftieth birthday as we celebrate the Ramona in all of us. Enjoy
the show!
~Steve McCormick
Ramona
Costumes designed by Rick Rasnussen
Mr. Quimby
—
Tammy
Breaking the Fourth Wall? What is that?
The “Fourth Wall” is a term that theater people use to refer to an invisible barrier between the
action on stage and the audience. It is as if the stage is a room, and one of the walls has been removed
so that audiences can see the action on stage. The characters do not actively acknowledge the audience,
to reinforce the existence of the Fourth Wall. The audience is an unseen and unacknowledged observer.
During this play, however, Beezus talks directly to the audience as the narrator. Sometimes,
Ramona fights for her opportunity to talk to the audience, too. So, they broke the Fourth Wall by
directly addressing the audience as their new friends. This creates a very warm and welcoming environment for the audience.
Most plays do not break the Fourth Wall, which makes it a special feature that you could discuss
with your students. (If you happened to have seen First Stage’s 2004-2005 productions of: A Christmas
Story or Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type, you may have noticed that they also share this feature with
Ramona Quimby.)
Ramona and her class made various Halloween masks for their Halloween
parade. Following these instructions, you and your students can make owl
hand puppets out of paper plates. The puppets are great for storytelling or
decorating your classroom.
Materials needed:
One and one half paper plates (for each student), colored markers,
construction paper, scissors and glue.
Procedure:
1. Staple the half-plate along the edges onto the back of the whole plate.
2. Add facial features to the whole plate. (Use colored markers, construction
paper, or both.)
To Operate:
Slip one hand or fingers behind half-plate to hold and move puppet about.
—
School is a very important part of Ramona’s life. A lot of exciting things
happen in her school. Some of them are great and others not so good. (Of course,
this is based on Ramona’s perspective.) School is also an essential element to the
play being very interesting. Ask your students to draw their favorite activity or
place at school.
Materials needed: Colored pencils or markers and copies of page 13.
The Quimby family encountered financial hardship because Mr. Quimby lost his job. You may use
the math quiz on page 14 to introduce your students the concept of budgeting.
Answers:
Each of them could spend: $6.
1.
Ramona’s Order:
2.
Orangeburger
$3.15
Black Fries
$1.93
Banana Sundae
$1.00
Chocolate Shake
$1.79
Total:
$7.87
a) No
b) Either Black Fries or Orangeburger
c) Yes, $0.06 or $1.28
Beezus’ Order:
Veggiewhopper
Strawberry Shake
Pumpkin Pie
Total:
$3.20
$1.69
$0.79
$5.68
d) Yes
e) N/A
f) Yes, $0.32
“Hi, my name is Beatrice Quimby and my job is to help you. Usually, at a play like
this, or at the movies, we see people really different from us: princesses, or detectives,
or presidents or even mermaids. Or people who lived a long time ago, or even in the
future.... So I thought, what about us? People like you see in the street every day— or
even like your own family. It might be pretty neat if we took a good look close to home.
So my idea for this play, Ramona Quimby, is to take us all to my house. Come on, I’ll
show you around.”
~Ramona Quimby
The play was written as Beatrice, Ramona’s older sister who’s also called Beezus, telling us the
story of her family, the Quimbys. You may use Page 15 to ask your students to write about their own
families, schools or neighborhoods. After they are done, ask them to share what they wrote with the
rest of the class.
—
Ramona Quimby begins in the fall, one of the most beautiful times of the year. Ask your students to write a cinquain — or five-line — poem about leaves and the colors of fall. A cinquain poem
is sometimes reffered to as a diamond poem because of its form.
A cinquain poem follows this recipe:
Line #1
Line#2
Line#3
Line#4
Line#5
Noun
2 adjectives
3 verbs ending in -ing
A sentence
Synonym to noun in Line #1
Another type of peom that follows a planned structure is a Haiku , a form of Japanese poetry.
A haiku poem is an unrhymed brief poem of three lines totaling 17 syllables.
Line #1
Line#2
Line#3
5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables
—
Howie’s Uncle Hobart works for an oil company. (Howie is Ramona’s best friend.) Hobart came
back to Klickitat Street from Saudi Arabia and is heading toward Alaska soon. Use the questions on
page 16 to help your students learn more about the geography around these two regions.
Answers:
Alaska
Saudi Arabia
1. Canada
2. Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen
3. Juneau
4. Riyadh
5. Arctic Ocean and Pacific Ocean
6. Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea
Answers:
1) Beezus 2) Mrs. Griggs 3) Ramona 4) Ramona 5) Ramona 6) Hobart 7) Beezus 8) Mr. Quimby
9) Mr. Quimby 10) Mrs. Quimby 11) Mr. Quimby 12) Ramona
—
Ask your students the following questions to better prepare them to see Ramona Quimby or
help them review and reflect on the play.
Before the performance:
Family :
1. What does your family mean to you? Does anyone in your family ever annoy you? If you have
an argument with someone in your family, how do you resolve it?
2. Among all of your relatives, who is your favorite? Where does he or she live? How often do
you get to see this relative? What makes this person so special?
3. What is your family’s favorite restaurant? How often does your family go there? Why is it
your favorite? What is the item that you like most on the menu?
School :
1. What do you like or dislike about school? Why?
2. Have you ever copied someone else’s idea? Have other people ever copied your ideas? How
did you feel when that happened? What did or didn’t you do? What will you suggest if that
happens again?
3. Who is your best friend? How long have you known each other? What makes him or her your
best friend? Describe one of the most memorable moments that you had together.
After the performance:
1.
The play begins on Ramona’s first day of school as a third grader and ends on her first day of
school as a fourth grader. Do you remember how you felt on the first day of school? How did you
prepare for the first day?
2.
In Mrs. Griggs’ classroom, the first day of school has always been a “Show and Tell” day. Students
bring in one of their favorite items to share with the class. What would you bring for “Show and
Tell,” if your class had one? Why?
3.
How does Ramona react when Susan copies her Halloween mask? Could Ramona have handled the
situation differently? How could she have helped her teacher understand that Susan was the one
who copied her mask?
4.
Beezus and Ramona get into fights and arguments all the time. How about you and your siblings?
Do you ever fight or argue? What do you do when it happens? (If you don’t have a sibling, think
about the same situation with your cousins or best friend.) Will you stop loving each other because
of that? Why or why not?
5.
Ramona questions why life isn’t fair. Do you think life is fair or not? Why or why not? Is there anything you could do to make life more fair?
—
The Ramona Books
Beezus and Ramona
Ramona the Pest
Ramona the Brave
Ramona and Her Father
Ramona and Her Mother
Ramona Forever
Ramona Quimby, Age 8
The Henr y Books
Henry Huggins
Henry and Beezus
Henry and Ribsy
Henry and the Paper Route
Henry and the Clubhouse
Ribsy
Ramona Quimby Study Guide, TheatreworksUSA, New York, NY.
Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Quimby Teacher Guide, by Ernie Nolan, Chicago Playworks for Families and
Young Audiences, The Theatre School—Depaul University, Chicago, IL.
Puppetry in Early Childhood Education, by Tamara Hunt and Nancy Renfro, Nancy Renfro Studios.
For more information about Beverly Cleary and Ramona:
The World of Beverly Cleary: www.beverlycleary.com/index.html
NNDB tracking the entire world: Beverly Cleary: www.nndb.com/people/422/000032326/
For more information about Len Jenkin:
University of Wisconsin-Madison Genomic Sciences Training Program: Len Jenkin:
www.biotech.wisc.edu/GSTP/events/GSTPPlaywrightinResidence.htm
For more information about world map and geography:
World Map: www.mjsteffens.qmxhome.de/page10.htm
Geography: Land boundaries — Border countries by country:
www.nationmaster.com/graph-t/geo_lan_bou_bor_cou
Student Enrichment Guide
Adapted from the RAMONA books by Beverly Clear
Adapted by Len Jenkin
y
What is your favorite activity and where does it take place at school?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
What makes that your favorite?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Please draw a picture of it:
—
Whopperburger is Ramona’s favorite restaurant. Today, the Quimbys decide to go there for a
treat even though money is tight. They can only spend $24 total for all four of them. To be fair, each of
the family members will get exactly a quarter of the total money. How much could each family member
spend?
Each of them could spend:
$___________________________
Whopperburger Menu
Whopperburger
Doublewhopper
Cheesewhopper
Superwhopper
Chiliwhopper
Veggiewhopper
Kidwhopper
$2.95
$3.99
$3.56
$4.22
$3.75
$3.20
$1.75
Large Drink
Regular Drink
Small Drink
Chocolate Shake
Strawberry Shake
Banana Sundae
Apple Pie
Ramona’s Order
$1.25
$1.00
$ .70
$1.79
$1.69
$1.00
$.88
Large Fries
Regular Fries
Small Fries
$1.75
$1.35
$ .99
Orangeburger
Black Fries
Pumpkin Pie
$3.15
$1.93
$ .79
Beezus’ Order
Orangeburger
$
Veggiewhopper
$
Black Fries
$
Strawberry Shake
$
Banana Sundae
$
Pumpkin Pie
$
Chocolate Shake
$
TOTAL
$
TOTAL
$
a) Does Ramona stay within her budget?
d) Does Beezus stay within her budget?
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
b) What can she decide not to order and stay in
budget?
e) What can she decide not to order and stay in
budget?
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
c) Does she get change back? How much?
f) Does she get change back? How much?
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
You could also try to figure our what Mr. and Mrs. Quimby could order and still stay within the
family budget.
—
Beezus introduces her family, the Quimbys, to us in the play. If you had a chance, how
would you introduce your family to people who didn’t know you? (How many people are
there in your family? What makes your family special? What does your family mean to you?
Why? What is your favorite family activity? Did your family do something fun during the summer? You could also focus on one of the family members who means the most to you.) Please
write this below.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
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—
Ramona and Howie need your help! Howie’s Uncle Hobart works for an oil company in
two parts of the world, Saudi Arabia and Alaska. Ramona and Howie would like to figure out
where Uncle Hobart works on the map. Both of them get really confused about the world
map. Please help them circle Saudi Arabia and Alaska on the map.
Can you also help them find out the answers to the following questions?
1. What countries border Alaska?__________________________________________________________
2. What countries border Saudi Arabia? ____________________________________________________
3. What is the capital of Alaska?__________________________________________________________
4. What is the capital of Saudi Arabia?____________________________________________________
5. What ocean surrounds Alaska?__________________________________________________________
6. What bodies of water surround Saudi Arabia?____________________________________________
—
How much do you remember about the play? Quiz yourself and your classmates to see who
can remember the most about Ramona Quimby. Try to figure out who said the following lines,
when they said it and why they said it.
1.
So my idea for this play, Ramona Quimby, is to take us all to
my house. Come on, I’ll show you around.
2.
You are now in third grade. Fun is not allowed in this classroom.
3.
Susan is the one I feel sorry for. You’re the one who can think
up her own ideas. You have a wonderful imagination.
4.
If you have a million dollars, can you go to Whopperburger
whenever you want to?
5.
Howie, do you think it’s fair that some people have a bazillion
dollars, and my dad has to work very hard in the cold at the
FrostKing Frozen Foods warehouse?
6.
I’ve already met Ramona. She doesn’t care for my singing so
I’m on my best behavior.
7.
Mom’s at work. She’s working hard, but money is still tight at
our house. …Dad still looks for work, but he hasn’t had much
luck.
8.
Being grownup means doing things you need to do, that
maybe you don’t want to do—for a while anyway.
9.
Ramona, you and Beezus are very different kids. That doesn’t
mean we don’t love you both.
10.
Love isn’t a cup of sugar that gets used up.
11.
Nobody is sweet and loving all the time. If they are, they’re
boring.
12.
I don’t want to be like Uncle Hobart, or even Aunt Bea. I want
to be like me.
—
A professional theater training program
for young people ages 3-18.
School Year 2005/2006
Classes
Saturdays
October 1—November 19, 2005
Tuesdays
October 4—November 22, 2005
Wednesdays
October 5—November 23, 2005
Since 1992, thousands of young
people ages 5 to 18 have become a
part of the Academy family. Every
year, hundreds of students come to
the Academy seeking theater training, fun, friendship and excitement.
And they find it! Our days are rigorous and challenging—and exhilarating and rewarding. Each individual
student, working with an ensemble
of peers, is guided by the Academy
staff to explore a theater curriculum
and develop positive life skills. Small
class sizes ensure a personal, interactive and focused experience for each
student. At First Stage Theater
Academy, our students learn skills
that will help them on stage: presence, expression, focus, projection
and spontaneity. But, more important, they learn skills that will help
them in life: self-confidence, discipline, integrity, commitment and
team work.
Locations:
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, Milwaukee
University Lake School, Hartland
financial aid
available
FOR A FREE BROCHURE
AND/OR FINANCIAL AID FORM
Phone: 414-267-2970
email: [email protected]
2005/2006 Season
Book Reservations NOW! Call 414-267-2962
By Gary L.. Blackwood
October 21—November 11, 2005
Most suitable for upper elementary and middle school
students and teachers
By Kermit Frazier
with creative support by
Milwaukee Mask and
Puppet Theatr e
January 27—February 24, 2006
Most suitable for upper elementary
and middle school students and teachers
By L. Frank Baum
Adapted for the stage
by Alan Keith Smith
November 29—December 21, 2005
Most suitable for lower and upper elementary
students and teachers
By Mark Twain
Adapted by James DeVita
March 10—April 13, 2006
Most suitable for lower and upper elementary and
middle school students and teachers
2005-2006 Touring Production:
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Lynn Ahrens and
Stephen Flaherty
Co-Conceived by Lynn Ahrens,
Stephen Flaherty and Eric Idle
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss
April 28—June 9, 2006
Most suitable for pre-K and lower and upper elementary
school students and teachers
By Karen Abbott
Based on the book by Joh Steptoe
February 13—March 24, 2006
Most suitable for lower and upper elementary
students and teachers
Limited dates available! For more information
please call Amy Booth at 414-267-2985