The Story of Babar the Little Elephant

Summary

Babar grows up in the great forest until one day his mom is killed by a hunter and he must run from the hunter. After running a long time he comes to a town. There he meets a nice old lady who buys him whatever he wants including suits, a car, and school lessons. Babar misses his friends sometimes though. One day his cousins Celeste and Arthur come to the town and find Babar. Everyone in the forest wonders where they are. They receive news from a bird that they are in the town. The mothers go to find them. Babar decides that he will return to the forest with his cousins and their moms. On the way Babar and Celeste get engaged. When they return to the forest they decide to make Babar king and Celeste queen. They are married and there is a big party.

Creative Mathematical Questions

1. In the beginning it says that Babar is a little elephant. How big do you think that a little elephant would be? How did you decide this? (Standards 3, 5)
2. When the rich old woman gives Babar her purse, how much money do you think is in the purse? Why do you think the purse contains that amount? (Standards 3, 5)
3. If you were Babar and you were given the purse full of money, what would you buy? (Standards 2, 4)
4. How big do you think that the bathtub and the bed at the lady's house have to be to fit Babar? Do you think this is possible? Why or why not? (Standards 3, 5)
5. Estimate how far it is from the great forest to the town. Why do you think it is that distance? (Standards 3, 4, 5)
6. Do you think that more elephants live in the forest or in the town? Explain your answer. (Standards 3, 5)
7. Babar and his cousins go to the pastry shop. How many pastries do you think that an elephant could eat? Do you think that it would be more or less than the amount a human could eat? Why? (Standards 3, 4, 5)
8. All the animal are invited to attend the wedding and coronation party. Estimate how many animals you think attended this party. How did you decide the number of animals? (Standards 3, 4, 5)

Creative Mathematical Activities

1. Assign prices to the items that Babar purchased in the Big Store. Provide students with money. Students will first estimate the amount Babar spent and then they will determine the total amount that Babar spent at the Big Store using their money and addition. (Standards 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
2. Have students make a map which would include the great forest and the town. Include the distances between the two locations and some of the settings in each location. (Standards 4, 6)
3. Have students creatively make their own animals. They can choose from elephants and any other animals in the story or add some of their own. Cut out the animals and use them as manipulatives throughout the unit. They can be classified into animal groups or used to add. (Standard 6)
4. Provide a cut out of Babar including measurements. Have students work in groups to determine how large Babar's clothing would need to be. The students should them make clothing of appropriate size to fit the cut out of Babar. (Standards 1, 3, 4, 6)
5. Have students work in groups or individually to come up with story problems from the text. An example could be: If Babar drives 22 miles in his car each day for 7 days. What is the total distance he drove in the 7 days? The students can present these problems to the class for the class to solve. (Standards 1, 2)
6. Students will create a game board which would be a map including the great forest and the town. The objective is to get Babar from the town to the great forest. In order to move along the board the player must complete a math problem. Allow the students to create as much of the board and questions as their age and ability level allows. (Standard 1)
7. In groups, students are to organize a party for Babar's wedding and coronation. The party must cost no more than a certain amount. The students need to estimate the cost for their party. Each group will present their suggestions and cost estimates to the class. The unit will be ended with a party for Babar and Celeste using some of the ideas suggested by the various groups. (Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Poem

Babar, Babar, little did you know

up in the city you would grow.

Babar, Babar wearing a nice suit

purchased by a nice old lady with a lot of loot.

Babar, Babar sad because you miss your friends?

You will be happy in the end.

Babar, Babar Celeste and Arthur are here.

Now it is so clear.

Babar, Babar back to the forest you must go.

Little did you know

Babar, Babar you will be the king,

with Celeste as your wife what a great thing!

Babar, Babar a great party to celebrate.

It will be first rate!

(Standard 4)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

De Brunhoff, Jean. The Story of Babar the Little Elephant. New York: Random House, 1933.

NCTM Standards. From Math Methods Syllabus: Dr. Sue Baker. 1998.