Before:
Ask students to tell you what they know about Purim. Who are the major characters in the story? Why is each important?

During:
Read aloud one or more of you favorite children’s books on the story of Purim, or consider the versions below or check out some of the books on listed here.

The Story of Esther: A Purim Tale, by Eric Kimmel. This dramatic story shows how it was only because of Queen Esther's cunning and courage that evil was brought to justice and many threatened lives were saved. Told for many thousands of years, her story is still thrilling and inspiring.

The Queen Who Saved her People, by Tilda Balsley. This time the story is about Esther who succeeds in convincing the King to stop the evil Haman. Puns and slapstick humor along with the natural suspense of the plot entertain both groups and single readers in this Purim tale.

Theses version can be printed and illustrated by students, or paper can be made into a scroll so that it looks like a Megillah 
Sylvia Rouss' Retelling of the Purim Story for Young Children
The Book of Esther For Young Children

2. Review what is means by the word “adjective.” Select a short scene from the story and have students help identify the adjectives in it. Repeat having them find details in a specific scene which make the story more interesting.

3. Encourage students to write a brief narrative that includes a summary of the story of Purim to include details and adjectives which describe one or two main characters. How do they react to important events in the story?

4. Cluster the words “hero” and “villain.” What adjectives would they use to describe a hero? List these in the appropriate clusters. ---Which characters in the story of Purim would they consider heroic? Add these characters’ names to the appropriate cluster. Discuss what details from the story made them describe the characters in this way.

---Which characters would they consider to be villains? Add these characters’ names to the appropriate cluster. Discuss what details from the story made them describe the characters in this way?

After:
Who Am I? Masquerade Party!

---Have students select a character from the Purim story and create their own unique masks to represent this person. Consider using JTeach's Purim Mask activity  to help you. Upon completion, have the students flip the mask over and list several adjectives and several details that describe their character and what he/she did.

---Who Am I? Have students put on their masks and one-by-one introduce themselves by giving one of the adjectives or details listed on the back of the mask as a clue. Encourage rest of the class to determine who the person is. (More “clues” can be given as necessary.)

---Bake Hamantaschen! What party is complete without something good to eat? Involve students in this simple classroom cooking activity with your favorite recipe or this “cheat” to make it easier. As they enjoy eating their Hamantaschen, go around the room and have each student provide an adjective to describe their gastronomic creation!

"Wanted" Posters
Working individually, in pairs, or small groups, have students pick a character from the Purim story and create a “Wanted” poster. (Explain that “Wanted” posters were used in the past to help the police find people who did something wrong. However, their posters can also be used to help find people who did something good so that they can be thanked.)
---The student should draw a picture of the character in the top center of their paper.
---Underneath, the student can write a short explanation of what the character is wanted for doing (this can be something good or evil, depending upon the character).
---This narrative should include a physical description (adjectives) of the person and details of what happened in the story to support or reflect the student s’ analysis of the chosen character.
When the students are finished, allow time for each to present his/her work to the class. Display posters around the room or common areas of the school.


Parody Players:
To the tune of a favorite song, have them create lyrics to describe their “hero” and what he/she accomplished.

List of All Songs

Purim, Purim by Lisa Baydush

 

Activity

Group students by the Purim character they selected, and direct students to present the song, using the pictures they created to add a visual prompt when that character’s name is said.

Present the lyrics to the class. Identify the adjectives the songwriter chose. Do the students agree or disagree with the word choice?
Based on the heroes students selected in “After” Activity, group students accordingly.

Lyrics

Purim, Purim by Lisa Baydush

Lyrics (with suggested movements)
(each verse builds on the previous verses)

CHORUS

Purim (snap), Purim (stamp 2x),
Purim (slap legs 4x), Purim (clap 2x)! (repeat)
In (snap), this tale (stamp 2x),
this crazy mixed up tale, there was a nice Jewish girl named Esther who became Persia’s queen!  (twirl and curtsy)

CHORUS

…a foolish king, Ahashverosh, (twirl fingers in circles near ears)

…a banished wife named Vashti, (hand to forehead, look up at ceiling dramatically in an annoyed way)

…a wicked advisor, Haman, (hands behind back, lean forward menacingly, make meanest face)

…a proud Jewish guy named Mordechai, (hands on hips, shoulders back proudly, smile)

…plots and intrigues all around (make mask with fingers over eyes)

• Students will be able to retell the story of Purim.
• Students will be able to describe the characteristics of heroes and villains and identify Purim’s heroes and villains.
• Students writing and discussion will reflect their ability to use adjectives and details.

This lesson provides a great segue for parents and/or grandparents to discuss their childhood heroes with their children. Encourage them to speak to their children about people they admired and why, with a discussion geared towards the character traits that made their heroes particularly brave or noble.

* PJ library Books