Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a wicked witch. She was known throughout the kingdom for her evil deeds and dark magic. The people lived in fear of her, as she would cast spells on innocent creatures and cause chaos wherever she went. However, little did she know that her own demise was soon to come. One day, a brave and courageous hero arrived in the kingdom. The hero had heard tales of the witch's wickedness and was determined to put an end to her cruel reign.
"My body shone so brightly in the sun that I felt very proud of it and it did not matter now if my axe slipped, for it could not cut me. There was only one danger--that my joints would rust; but I kept an oil-can in my cottage and took care to oil myself whenever I needed it. However, there came a day when I forgot to do this, and, being caught in a rainstorm, before I thought of the danger my joints had rusted, and I was left to stand in the woods until you came to help me. It was a terrible thing to undergo, but during the year I stood there I had time to think that the greatest loss I had known was the loss of my heart. While I was in love I was the happiest man on earth; but no one can love who has not a heart, and so I am resolved to ask Oz to give me one. If he does, I will go back to the Munchkin maiden and marry her."
It was a terrible thing to undergo, but during the year I stood there I had time to think that the greatest loss I had known was the loss of my heart. For example, a group studying Japan picked a region that they thought would be best for the Wicked Witch because it s dry and she melts in the rain , but it s also at risk for a tsunami.
The hero had heard tales of the witch's wickedness and was determined to put an end to her cruel reign. Armed with a sword and a heart full of determination, the hero set off on a journey to find the wicked witch. As the hero made their way through enchanted forests and treacherous mountains, they encountered various obstacles and faced many dangers.
Educator Spotlight: Finding a Home for the Wicked Witch
Students worked in groups of four to explore potential countries where the Wicked Witch of the West could live, looking at the how the climate and resources would affect her. The idea of using the Wicked Witch stemmed from a conversation with an educator many years ago. In developing my own project, I found that it was a way to blend nonfiction with fiction to be a different type of hook for students. They were thinking critically about the needs of this bizarre character while learning about culture, exploring traditions, and gaining a better appreciation for the world around them.
We started with a traditional topographic map of the Swiss Alps and built from there, using National Geographic’s MapMaker Interactive on a daily basis. As students manipulated the tool, they developed confidence in describing features of the map, and they respectfully discussed their research with each other. We were able to use an augmented reality sandbox, and students used Legos to create actual buildings. They saw how the different geographical pieces helped them better understand a country as a whole.
Tell us more about the augmented reality sandbox.
It is a massive box with sand that the students physically manipulate, and the program shows it digitally. Think of a sandbox with a projector on top of it connected to the computer. Students can show where rainfall would happen at different rates and how flooding could occur. They learned how to create their own topographical map and how it could change based on erosion, deforestation, and natural disasters. For example, a group studying Japan picked a region that they thought would be best for the Wicked Witch because it’s dry (and she melts in the rain), but it’s also at risk for a tsunami. They showed what could happen if a tsunami should hit: how a wetland could be destroyed, how the sea level could rise, etc.
Students used the augmented reality sandbox to explore topography and the effects of natural disasters. Photo by Allison Fuisz
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
My original plan was to be a lawyer, but I have found myself continuously wanting to learn. I’m a curious person, and I think that’s what guided me into this position. I hope to not dictate where students go, but instead spark their curiosity, help them find the right direction, and connect them with experts to foster that spark. This isn’t a job. Every day I’m laughing. It’s a new challenge, a new growth.
What advice do you have for teachers wanting to spark curiosity?
We seem to talk a lot about student voice, but how can we truly incorporate it into the learning space? Listen to your students; learn what their interests are and guide them toward their passions to help create curious lifelong learners. Focus on the big ideas as well–ask your students, “Here’s what we need to learn. How can we get there together with your interests in mind?”
My mentors have reminded me to continue showing students that we can learn together. When there is a strong sense of community and inclusion in the learning space, students are often more willing to share their passions and be curious because they are OK with taking educated risks. Create a safe co-learning space, and who knows what could happen!
I think the success of this Wicked Witch project stemmed from these ideas. We learned about the content together, and students were allowed to explore based on their interests. Creativity met inquiry, and that is a learning dream.
Photo by Allison Fuisz
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Do you know a great educator who teaches about our world? Nominate a colleague or yourself as the next Educator of the Week!
The Educator Spotlight series features inspiring activities and lessons that educators are implementing with their students that connect them to the world in bold and exciting ways.
Share this:
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
The Tin Woodman had asked Dorothy to put the oil-can in her basket. "For," he said, "if I should get caught in the rain, and rust again, I would need the oil-can badly."
Yet their resolve remained unwavering, as they knew that it was their destiny to defeat the wicked witch and bring peace back to the kingdom. Finally, after much hardship, the hero reached the wicked witch's lair. It was a dark and eerie place, filled with potions and spell books. As the hero stepped inside, the wicked witch appeared before them, cackling with delight. "Ah, so you've come to challenge me, have you?" the witch sneered. "Well, prepare to meet your doom!" But the hero was not afraid. They stood tall, ready to face whatever the witch threw their way. With a swift strike of their sword, the hero fought back against the witch's dark magic. As the battle raged on, it became clear that the hero was stronger than the witch had anticipated. One by one, the witch's spells were countered, and her power began to wane. The people of the kingdom watched in awe as their tormentor was finally being defeated. And then, in one final blow, the hero struck the wicked witch down. As the witch crumbled to the ground, her power vanished, and the kingdom rejoiced. The people were finally free from the wicked witch's reign of terror. The hero was hailed as a savior, a true champion of the people. They were honored and celebrated, their name forever etched in the history books. The kingdom would never forget the hero who had vanquished the wicked witch and brought peace back to their land. And so, the wicked witch met her maker, at the hands of a brave hero. Good had triumphed over evil, and the kingdom could finally rest easy..
Reviews for "The Wicked Witch's Requiem: The End of a Dark Legacy"
- Samantha - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "The wicked witch has met her maker". The plot was so predictable and the characters felt shallow and one-dimensional. I also found the writing style to be quite lackluster, with very little depth or originality. Overall, it just felt like a cheap and uninspired attempt at a fantasy novel.
- James - 1 star
I absolutely despised "The wicked witch has met her maker". The story was completely unoriginal and the characters were extremely cliché and boring. I couldn't connect with any of them and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. It was a struggle to finish this book and I would not recommend it to anyone.
- Emily - 2 stars
"The wicked witch has met her maker" was a major letdown for me. The pacing was all over the place and the storytelling felt disjointed. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with more questions than answers. Additionally, the romantic subplot felt forced and unnecessary. I was hoping for a captivating and engaging read, but unfortunately, this book fell flat for me.
- Benjamin - 3 stars
I didn't hate "The wicked witch has met her maker", but I certainly didn't love it either. While the concept was interesting, the execution fell short. The writing style was average and there were several instances of grammatical errors that were quite distracting. The characters had potential, but their development was inconsistent and rushed. Overall, it was an okay read, but nothing exceptional.