The Inventive Princess of Floralee

Pre-K

• Science:
  • Exploration of Forces: The princess’s inventions and references to forces can introduce the idea of push and pull through play (e.g., creating simple machines or experimenting with rolling objects).
• Theater Arts:
  • TAESK-2.2: Dramatic play is encouraged as students act out scenes, helping them express emotions, develop storytelling skills, and engage in role-playing as inventors, princesses, or townspeople.

Kindergarten

• Science:
  • SKP1: Investigate light and sound.
    • The princess’s invention of a “SUPER-LISTENER” ties into exploring sound waves and amplification, allowing students to experiment with sound using simple materials like cups and strings.
• Theater Arts:
  • TAESK-2.2: Dramatic play builds confidence and communication skills. Acting out scenes from the play fosters collaboration and creativity.

1st Grade

• Science:
  • S1P1: Explore light and sound.
    • The play’s mention of inventions that use sound (e.g., the “SUPER-LISTENER”) and light provides opportunities to experiment with shadows, prisms, or sound-producing objects.
• ELA:
  • Reading Fluency and Comprehension: The dialogue and narration in the play help young learners practice reading with expression and understanding the sequence of events.

2nd Grade

• Science:
  • S2P2: Investigate forces and motion.
    • The princess’s problem-solving process connects to real-world examples of how forces affect movement, such as designing a catapult or pulley system.
  • S2E1: Study stars and patterns.
    • The reference to Isaac Newton can inspire lessons on his contributions to science, including gravity and its role in the movement of celestial bodies.
• ELA:
  • Vocabulary Development: The play introduces scientific and descriptive terms (e.g., “binomial,” “logarithm,” “force field”) that expand vocabulary.
  • Comprehension: Students analyze the princess’s motivations, actions, and problem-solving strategies.

3rd Grade

• Science:
  • S3P1: Investigate heat transfer and measurement.
    • The princess’s inventions can inspire experiments on how heat is transferred (e.g., creating solar ovens or testing insulators).
• ELA:
  • ELAGSE3RI3: Describe relationships between scientific ideas.
    • Students can explore how the play integrates Newton’s laws and the princess’s inventions into a cohesive narrative.
  • Fluency and Expression: Reading aloud the play’s dialogue helps improve fluency and emotional expression.

4th Grade

• Science:
  • S4P3: Examine balanced and unbalanced forces.
    • The play’s problem-solving scenes can lead to discussions about how forces like gravity and friction impact motion, using examples from the princess’s inventions.
• ELA:
  • ELAGSE4RL3: Analyze characters, settings, or events.
    • Students can examine the princess’s character development, focusing on how her perseverance and creativity drive the story forward.
  • Theme Analysis: Discussions about themes like resilience, innovation, and the importance of individuality.

5th Grade

• Science:
  • S5P2: Investigate electricity.
    • The inventions mentioned in the play, such as the “Personal Force Field,” can lead to lessons on circuits, energy, and how electricity powers devices.
  • S5P3: Explore magnetism and electricity.
    • Students can explore how inventions might use magnetic forces and electricity to function.
• ELA:
  • ELAGSE5SL4: Present a topic logically, using facts and details.
    • Students can present their own invention ideas inspired by the play, connecting scientific principles to their designs.
  • Advanced Comprehension: Analyze the structure of the play, identifying cause-and-effect relationships and the progression of the narrative.
• Theater Arts:
  • TAHSFT.CR.1: Organize and refine theatrical work.
    • Students can rehearse and perform scenes, learning about staging, timing, and dramatic expression.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

• Pre-K to 5th Grade:
  • The play’s themes of perseverance, overcoming bullying, and expressing individuality align with SEL competencies. Students can discuss how the princess handles challenges and relate them to their own experiences.