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Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters

Language: English | Español

An African tale of Mufaro’s two beautiful daughters, one bad tempered one kind and sweet, who are vying to become the King’s wife. Viewers celebrate the culture of Africa in New York City’s Central Park where LeVar learns how African drums are made, then plays some authentic African instruments. Finally he joins in the festival fun with an African dance troupe, Forces of Nature.

Here are activities to do after watching this episode:

Foil Mask

To make a shiny African mask you will need:

  • paper plate
  • craft stick
  • aluminum foil
  • paint brush
  • colored markers
  • glue
  • dried pasta shapes
  • beads, buttons, sequins, yarn and other decorations.

Directions:

  1. Cover a paper plate with foil.
  2. Glue a craft stick to the back of the paper plate. Let it dry.
  3. Use the rounded end of a small paint brush to make an imprint of the design you want to put on the mask.
  4. Fill in the mask using colorful markers and by gluing dried pasta shapes, buttons, beads, sequins, and other materials.
 

Stamped Design

Some African nations are known for their beautiful fabric designs. Have your children experience printing on fabric with the following activity.

You will need:

  • paper and pencil
  • scissors
  • marker
  • clean sponges
  • liquid acrylic paint
  • paper plates (for the paint)
  • pieces of fabric
  • newspaper
  1. Have your child adraw simple symbols on paper (heart, moon, cross, geometric shapes) and cut them out.
  2. Place each pattern on a sponge and use a marker to dot trace around the shape
  3. Use scissors to cut out each sponge shape.
  4. Put each color of paint on a separate paper plate.
  5. Place a piece of clean fabric on layers of newspaper.
  6. Dip a sponge in paint, blot it on newspaper to remove excess paint, and stamp on the fabric. Create a variety of patterns using different shapes and colors.
  7. Wash the sponges when finished and save for another day.

Check out some of these books on your
next trip to the library:

  • Who’s In Rabbit’s House? by Verna Aardema
  • Jambo Means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book by Muriel Feelings
  • Jafta Series by Hugh Lewin

READING RAINBOW has a resource library that includes teacher guide materials as well as reading programs for use in the public libraries. You can download these resources from GPN at:
www.gpnresources.com

If you would like more information about READING RAINBOW or if you would like to learn more about other educational products please visit the GPN web site.

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