Pedro and the Coyote

The author likely chose to have the play accompanied by traditional mariachi music to —

• remind the reader of a Russian folktale, Peter and the Wolf

• emphasize the dangers of living in a remote, rural area

• help the reader predict the play's final musical theme

• complement the story's rural, Mexican setting and characters

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.10

CCSS.RL.4.5

CCSS.RL.4.7

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.3

A careful reading of the scripted dialogue and stage directions helps the reader understand that the guitarron and vihuela are meant to musically represent —

• Abuelo and Pedro's characters

• mariachi musicians

• traditional Mexican folktales

• Coyote’s character

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Which of these lines best states the play’s main message?

• Old people, such as Pedro’s Grandfather, frequently worry too much for their own good.

• Young people sometimes act foolishly because they are unaware of hidden dangers.

• Coyotes are dangerous predators.

• Children should not play with sharp objects like machetes.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.10

CCSS.RL.4.5

CCSS.RL.4.7

CCSS.RL.5.10

CCSS.RL.5.3

Abuelo’s first lines and the accompanying music make clear that —

• the wolves of the Sonoran desert are especially dangerous and aggressive

• Pedro is a sly boy who often disobeys his grandfather

• Abuelo is concerned for Pedro’s safety

• Pedro is likely to enjoy his time spent at his grandfather’s ranch in the desert

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.5.1

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

Which of these props would be necessary for a crew to stage this play? (Select two)

• A small machete

• A guitarron and violins

• Curtains painted with cacti

• Mariachi musicians

• A large saguaro cactus

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.10

CCSS.RL.4.5

CCSS.RL.4.7

CCSS.RL.5.10

CCSS.RL.3.5

Read these sentences from line 8 of the dialogue. "See, Abuelo, the campo is safe. I’m going to search for animalitos." The playwright uses italic font in these sentences to indicate —

• Spanish-language words spoken by the characters in the script

• props that the actors should have nearby as they move around the stage

• the type of instrument and music to be played

• the names of common characters in Mexican folktales

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Which of the following stage directions best represent the plot’s climax?

• Guitarron plays deep, slow notes in a descending pattern.

• Vihuela plays light, quick notes in familiar ascending pattern.

• The cactus falls, quickly, on the coyote as Pedro holds his tail.

• Band plays theme as curtain falls.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.10

CCSS.RL.4.5

CCSS.RL.4.7

CCSS.RL.5.10

CCSS.RL.5.2