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Jack and the Beanstalk: 6. I am the golden hen

Jack is home again and everyone is happy. But before long the money begins to run out and Jack decides he must climb the beanstalk again. In the castle he finds a hen that lays golden eggs...so he takes it back to the village.

Episode 11 of the story

Jack has returned to the village and life is much easier now - Jack even has a bed to sleep in! But soon there is only one silver coin left and food is running short. Jack gazes at the beanstalk and decides he must return to the Giants' castle. The Giant's wife is delighted to see him again and makes Jack a cup of tea...but suddenly her husband returns - saying again that he can smell a boy - and this time the Giant's wife decides to hideJack up the chimney. After his meal the Giant asks for his hen - not an ordinary hen but rather a magic, golden one that lays golden eggs. Jack is amazed!

Story questions - episode 11

How have things changed for Jack and his Ma?

They have plenty of food to eat...furniture in their cottage...and Jack even has a bed to sleep on

Why does Jack decide to climb the beanstalk again?

Soon they only have one silver coin left and food is running short in the village - Jack decides if he climbs the beanstalk once again the Giant's wife may choose to help him again

Where does Jack hide when the Giant returns?

The Giant's wife hids Jack up the chimney

What is special about the hen?

The hen is golden...and it lays eggs made of gold

Episode 12 of the story

The Giant gruffly instructs the hen to lay a golden egg...but nothing happens. In fact, the hen refuses to lay an egg until the Giant says 'Please', which he duly does. The egg joins the many others that the Giant has demanded from the hen. After the Giant goes to sleepJack climbs down from the chimney and says he knows exactly where the hen will be most use - in the village. The golden hen is another item the Giant has stolen so the Giant's wife gives Jack another wink. Then he returns to the village with the hen, where she carries on laying. Jack's Ma is delighted.

Story questions - episode 12

Why does the hen refuse at first to lay an egg for the Giant?

Because he is so rude to her! The hen lays an egg when the Giant asks for it by saying 'Please'

Where has the hen come from?

The Giant has stolen it from someone else - just like he did the bag of silver coins

What does Jack want to do with the hen?

He wants to take it back to the village so that he can look after the needy villagers once more

How does the Giant's wife react to Jack's suggestion?

She gives him a big wink - so Jack takes the golden hen back to the village

The song: 'I am the golden hen' (vocal)

Practise singing the song together and children can sway to the gentle, lilting rhythm.

Identify how the jumpy rhythms in Verse 1 and Verse 2 are almost exactly the same. They are repeated.

Help the children to identify how the lines (or phrases) two and four are identical in each verse.

Click here for the backing track video.

Literacy links

YearActivity
Year 1Talk about the amazing golden hen. Can the children say (or write down) a few words to describe her / say what her name might be / say what she likes to eat / what she likes doing / etc? Draw pictures.
Year 2Children write simple sentences as though they are the golden hen, beginning ‘Hello! I am the golden hen...’ and including things like her name / a description of appearance / her age / things she likes doing / etc.

Listening music

An extract from the Bird's theme from Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev

What instrument is playing the theme? (The flute). The flute is playing a solo - ie on its own.

Can the children say what animal the flute music is for in the story of Peter and the Wolf? They need to really think about the music to help them. Is the music high or low? (High). Is the animal it describes big or small?

Other KS1 Music series

Resources