OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT
Most children in the U.S. are familiar with the Tooth Fairy, but children in Spain and Latin America grow up with a different tradition. In these regions, an adventurous mouse, El Ratón Pérez, collects children’s lost teeth from their pillows and uses them to build a rocket ship to the moon. The children will listen to René Colato Laínez’s charming book, “The Tooth Fairy Meets El Ratón Pérez,” where the two cultural legends clash when the Tooth Fairy and El Ratón Pérez both try to take young Miguelito’s lost tooth. They discover that by working together, they can accomplish each of their goals and become true friends. This magical tale introduces a celebrated Latino character to a new audience and provides a fresh take on the familiar childhood experience of losing one’s tooth. The students will then write a brief letter to El Ratón Pérez or the Tooth Fairy, and then complete a painting project.
Introduction. How many of you have lost a tooth? What are some of your family traditions when you (or your brothers or sisters) lose a tooth? [After the class discussion about family traditions, share information about how families around the world celebrate when a child loses a tooth – see below].
Most children in the U.S. are familiar with the Tooth Fairy, but children in Spain and Latin America grow up with a different tradition. In these regions, an adventurous mouse, El Ratón Pérez, collects children’s lost teeth from their pillows, exchanges the tooth for a small gift, and uses the teeth he collects to build a rocket ship to the moon. This year, since your class is studying the country Spain for our school’s World Cup competition, we are going to learn a little bit more about El Ratón Pérez and do an art project about teeth!
Read the story “The Tooth Fairy Meets El Raton Perez” by Rene Colato Lainez.
After reading the story, discuss the following questions:
- What do the Tooth Fairy and El Ratón Pérez have in common? What is different about how they collect lost teeth?
- A conflict arises between the Tooth Fairy and El Ratón Pérez. What do they do to resolve the conflict? What is positive about how they solve the problem?
Now that we know a little bit more about the Tooth Fairy and El Ratón Pérez, we are going to do two different pieces with our art projects today. The first will be tracing and painting a tooth onto our construction paper. Then, while those dry, we will be writing a friendly letter to the Tooth Fairy or El Ratón Pérez. Be thinking about what information you would like to know about how these tooth collectors live and do their job.
Supplies:
- 12x18 sheets of construction paper (various colors).
- 10-15 copies of the Tooth Template (copy onto cardstock and cut out) - Appendix 2 (below)
- Pencils
- Toothbrushes - one for each artist
- Small bowls
- Elmer's Glue
- Shaving cream
- Color copies of Letter Template (copy onto cardstock) - Appendix 3 (below)
- Scissors
- Glue Sticks
Step 1: Have the students choose a piece of 12x18 construction paper in their favorite color. Place the sheet with the 18” side as the top/bottom, and the 12” side as the left/right. Using the template, have the students lightly trace the tooth onto one side of their sheet of paper (either left or right) leaving room on the other side to attach their writing. Have the “paint” mixed prior to beginning the lesson (mix equal parts of shaving cream and Elmer's glue for the children to use – it will puff up when dry).
Step 2: Have the students dip their toothbrush into the shaving cream and Elmer’s glue “paint.” While the students are painting, talk about how teeth are rounded and curvy, with different textures – the paint will help imply the texture of teeth in our art project. It’s also important, just like in using a real toothbrush when you brush – to get the “toothpaste” (paint) and brush all over the tooth!
Step 3: When the students are done “brushing,” have them clean up and head back to their seats for the writing portion of the project. This will allow the projects time to dry before adhering the writing to the other side of the project.
Step 4: For the writing portion, have the children write to either the Tooth Fairy or El Raton Perez and ask them what information they would like to know about how these tooth collectors live and do their jobs.
Once they are ready to write their final draft, hand them the sheet from Appendix 3, have the students cut it out, and in their best handwriting, have them write their friendly letter.
Once the projects are dry (or nearly dry), have the students adhere their letter to the tooth art. If time allows, they are welcome to decorate their letters with drawings of the tooth fairy and/or El Ratón Pérez.
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| For reference only: The tooth template and the friendly letter should both be cut out prior to adhering them onto the 12x18 construction paper. Thank you! |
Lost Tooth Traditions from Around the World.
Use a map or globe to indicate each country as you review the various traditions with the students.
AUSTRIA: Lost baby teeth are often made into a pendant or a key ring.
FRANCE: The lost tooth is placed under a pillow when the child goes to bed. A fairy takes it while the child is sleeping. The tooth is replaced with a small present, never money.
HUNGARY: The lost baby tooth is put into a bottle with water and left there to melt over time.
JAPAN: If the lost tooth is a lower tooth, the tooth is thrown over the roof. If the lost tooth is an upper tooth, the tooth is thrown under the door of the house. This is done to help the upper teeth to grow downwards and the lower teeth to grow upwards.
UNITED KINGDOM: The lost tooth is placed under a pillow when the child goes to bed. A fairy takes it while the child is sleeping. The tooth is replaced with coins or money.
COSTA RICA: The lost tooth is plated in gold and worn as jewelry, often as earrings.
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