Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten (the Musicians of Bremen)

Watch this Powerpoint story of the Musicians of Bremen (link to ppt)

Here is a photo of the statue of the animals in the German town of Bremen

The story is German in origin and was written by the Brothers Grimm

Pupils can find out more on this website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_Musicians_of_Bremen
Ask if they know any other stories that they wrote?

Give them the German list and see if they can work out the English title:

Hänsel und Gretel
Schneeweißchen (Snow White)
Rapunzel
Der Froschkönig (The Frog Prince)

Go to this link to watch a short animated version of the story in German www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WqXrThZK8w

This could be used as a prelude to pupils creating a storyboard of and then a Powerpoint of their own story, to be sent to feeder primary schools for example. Ask pulils what the successful elements of a children’s story are (for example, simplicity, a ‘goodie’ and a ‘baddie’, repetition, a happy ending).