Listen to this humorous folktale from West Africa about how a tiny mosquito causes a huge problem because of the lies he tell the iguana. This story illustrates the importance of honesty, accuracy, and responsibility. As you listen, create pictures in your mind of what is happening in the story. Have fun!
After watching the story video, explore the discussion questions and vocabulary words. Record your thoughts, writing, and artwork in your Story Journal. Most of all, have fun! When you’re finished, take a photo of your work and share it with me so I can see your progress.
Why Mosquitoes Buzz – Complete Learning Guide
The StoryValues Storyteller’s Journal
Why Mosquitoes Buzz: A West African Tale
💬 Story Discussion
1. Understanding the Story
What did Mosquito do that started all the trouble?
Think about what Mosquito said to Iguana at the very beginning of the story…
Write your answer in your Story Journal
2. The Chain of Events
Why did Iguana put sticks in his ears? What happened because Iguana couldn’t hear?
Iguana was annoyed by Mosquito’s exaggerations and lies. When he put sticks in his ears, he couldn’t hear Python’s greeting…
Write your answer in your Story Journal
3. King Lion’s Council
What problem did King Lion call all the animals together to solve?
Think about what didn’t happen in the morning that was supposed to happen…
Write your answer in your Story Journal
✨ Themes and Values: Honesty
4. Mosquito’s Choice
Why do you think Mosquito told lies about having a big family? What does this teach us about honesty?
Sometimes people exaggerate or lie to make themselves seem more important. Think about how Mosquito’s lies ended up causing problems…
Write your answer in your Story Journal
5. Taking Responsibility
After everything went wrong, Mosquito hid instead of admitting what he had done. What should Mosquito have done instead?
People with integrity admit their mistakes and try to make things right, even when it’s hard…
Write your answer in your Story Journal
🎨 Drawing Activity
Choose one or more of these drawing options and create your artwork in your Story Journal:
Option 1: Comic Strip of Mosquito and Iguana
Draw a comic strip picture showing Mosquito and Iguana talking at the beginning of the story. Use speech bubbles to show what they’re saying!
Option 2: Mother Owl and Baby Owl
Draw Mother Owl looking sad because she can’t wake the sun, with her baby owl nearby.
Draw your favorite scene from the story or create your own illustration.
✏️ Draw your picture in your Story Journal!
📚 Vocabulary Words
📝 Remember to record these vocabulary words in your Story Journal!
1. Annoyed
📖 Definition:
Annoyed means feeling bothered, irritated, or upset by something or someone. It’s when something makes you feel frustrated or impatient.
📝 Example Sentence:
“The mosquito annoyed Iguana with his exaggerations and lies.”
🔤 Part of Speech Challenge:
What part of speech is the word “annoyed”?
Annoyed is an adjective (a describing word). It describes how someone feels. In the story, it describes Iguana’s feelings when the mosquito bothered him.
🎭 Action Time!
Act it out: Make an annoyed face! Scrunch up your nose, furrow your eyebrows, and shake your head. You can also cover your ears and say “Stop bothering me!” in a frustrated voice!
✍️ Your Turn to Write:
📝 In your Story Journal, write your own sentence using the word “annoyed”
2. Iguana
📖 Definition:
An iguana is a type of large lizard with a long tail and rough, scaly skin. Iguanas live in warm places and are often green or brown. They have a row of spines along their back.
📝 Example Sentence:
“The iguana put sticks in his ears so he wouldn’t have to listen to the mosquito’s buzzing.”
🔤 Part of Speech Challenge:
What part of speech is the word “iguana”?
Iguana is a noun (a naming word). It names a specific type of animal. In the story, Iguana is also the name of a character, so it’s a proper noun and we write it with a capital letter.
🎭 Action Time!
Act it out: Pretend to be an iguana! Walk slowly with your arms bent like front legs. Move your head from side to side to look around. You can even stick out your tongue quickly like a lizard catching insects!
✍️ Your Turn to Write:
📝 In your Story Journal, write your own sentence using the word “iguana”
3. Council
📖 Definition:
A council is a group of people or animals who meet together to make decisions, solve problems, or discuss important matters. Council members share their ideas and work together.
📝 Example Sentence:
“King Lion called a council of all the animals to find out why the sun didn’t rise.”
🔤 Part of Speech Challenge:
What part of speech is the word “council”?
Council is a noun (a naming word). It names a group of individuals who meet to make decisions. In the story, it refers to the meeting of all the animals.
🎭 Action Time!
Act it out: Gather some stuffed animals or toys in a circle and pretend to be King Lion! Stand in the middle and say in a serious voice, “I have called this council to solve an important problem. Let us work together!” Point to each animal as if asking their opinion.
✍️ Your Turn to Write:
📝 In your Story Journal, write your own sentence using the word “council”
4. Mischief
📖 Definition:
Mischief means playful or annoying behavior that causes minor trouble or problems. It can be harmless fun or actions that unintentionally create difficulties for others.
📝 Example Sentence:
“The mosquito’s mischief of telling lies about his big family caused a chain of problems for all the animals.”
🔤 Part of Speech Challenge:
What part of speech is the word “mischief”?
Mischief is a noun (a naming word). It names a type of behavior or action. Someone who causes mischief can be called “mischievous” (which is an adjective).
🎭 Action Time!
Act it out: Make a mischievous face! Give a little smirk or sly smile, raise one eyebrow, and rub your hands together like you’re planning something playful. You might giggle and say “I have a funny idea!” in a playful voice!
✍️ Your Turn to Write:
📝 In your Story Journal, write your own sentence using the word “mischief”
5. Consequences
📖 Definition:
Consequences are the results or effects that happen because of an action or decision. Every choice we make leads to consequences – some good and some bad. Consequences show us that our actions matter.
📝 Example Sentence:
“The mosquito learned about the consequences of his actions when all the animals discovered he was the cause of the problem.”
🔤 Part of Speech Challenge:
What part of speech is the word “consequences”?
Consequences is a noun (a naming word). It names the results or outcomes of actions. The singular form is “consequence” and the plural is “consequences” – in the story we use the plural because there were many results from the mosquito’s action.
🎭 Action Time!
Act it out: Show a sequence of consequences! First, pretend to do something thoughtless (like knock over an imaginary tower). Then show surprise. Then worry. Finally, hang your head and look sorry. This shows how we realize consequences and feel responsible for what we’ve done!
✍️ Your Turn to Write:
📝 In your Story Journal, write your own sentence using the word “consequences”
🎯 Vocabulary Quiz 🎯
Test your understanding of the vocabulary words!
1. The green __________ was sunbathing on a warm rock.
2. The student felt __________ when someone kept tapping their pencil during the test.
3. The school __________ met to discuss important decisions about the playground.
4. The kitten’s playful __________ knocked over the vase on the table.
5. Not studying for the test had serious __________ – he got a poor grade.
🌟 Great Job! 🌟
You’ve completed the story discussion, learned 5 important vocabulary words, and created your drawing!
📧 Take a picture of your answers and drawings and email them to [email protected] so I can see how you’re doing!
