Legendary characters help children learn about time periods in history. Early lumberjacks of the northern United States spent many long hours without modern conveniences or modes of entertainment. They told stories about situations which were difficult and hazardous. Paul Bunyan accomplished in legendary form what ordinary people were unable to do. Today machines come close to doing some of the things which these early workers dreamed of doing. Babe the Blue Ox was Paul's helpful companion. Amusing tales about Babe's work and unusual characteristics helped the lumberjacks deal with loneliness and boredom and gave opportunity for creative storytelling.

1. Use the puppet to tell about the time period in which many young men found employment by working in a logging camp.

2. Have the puppet tell some of the existing Paul Bunyan stories.

3. Let the students use the puppet to create their own Paul Bunyan tales.

4. Use the Paul Bunyan and ox puppets to tell about things which the two characters did together.

5. Interview the Paul Bunyan puppet to find out about the work of a lumberjack.

6. Use the puppet to tell about tools and equipment such as the cross cut saw, cant hook, ice wagon, go-devil, various types of axes, logging chains, and sleds.

7. Have the puppet talk about plants and animals found in the wooded areas of the northern United States.

8. Have the puppet tell about various types of weather conditions under which lumberjacks worked.

9. Let the puppet talk about various ways in which logs were transported.

10. Examine various types of wood. Let the puppet tell about their uses and characteristics.

11. What were the different jobs in a lumber camp. Let the puppet tell about the roles of cooks, as well as those who cut and sawed trees.

12. Have the puppet examine currant stories in which legendary characters accomplish tasks which people find impossible. Compare those stories with the Paul Bunyan tales.