In this story, Samantha has tried medicine that wasn’t hers and it has caused her to turn from her beautiful unique magenta color to a sickly green. As the story progresses, Solomon the parrot helps Samantha understand the core learning points of the lesson. Solomon leads Samantha to return to her original color by following his advice and agreeing to help others learn to be safe around medicine.
Core learning points of this presentation are:
- Someone else’s medicine might be bad for you,
- Never give yourself medicine; and,
- If you find medicine – tell an adult.
An audience participation element is added to the presentation when the student-narrators periodically hold up (empty)pill bottles and ask the class: “Is it OK for Samantha to touch taste or eat this?” Half the class responds: No way – it’s not OK!” and the other half responds: “You might get sick!”
The Samantha Skunk: Medicine Safety lesson can be taught to children ages 4-7. We prefer to deliver it in kindergarten classes in Dover. We are often asked to present it to pre-schools, camps and day care programs.
Presenting the Medicine Safety version requires 5 student-presenters: two narrators, magenta and green skunk characters, and the Solomon parrot character. A 6th student can be used to display the large plastic boards that display the text of the story from behind the audience – or that role can be performed by an adult.
