1-2-3 Come Do Some Winter Writing Prompt Crafts With Me
Do you read the story “The Jacket I Wear In The Snow?” My kiddos and I really enjoy Shirley Neitzel’s books.
They are perfect for sequencing and retelling a story too.
With that in mind, I designed several craftivities that you can transition to after reading the tale. I'm featuring two of my latest creations on the blog today.
First up is my "Jacket Packet", which includes 4 writing prompt options for older students, as well as 2 jacket patterns, so little ones can also do the craft.
* One jacket pattern is generic, which students can color, or you can run off on a variety of colors of construction paper.
* The other jacket looks like the one in “The Jacket I Wear In The Snow” story.
Pick a jacket or give children a choice, then choose a “lining” for your craft.
There are 5 options, plus a blank version to dream up something else.
* The first “lining” has pictures of the story elements in chronological order, which is a fun way for students to practice the “retell a story” standard.
* The other 4 “linings” are writing prompts.
Students cut the jacket on the dashed line, then glue just the sleeves, to the “lining” creating a booklet, when flipped open reveals the pictures or one of these writing prompts:
1. “Here’s what happened…” (Checks comprehension. Can be written as a “beginning, middle, end” prompt, or as a “sequential list” of what happened, or as a “paragraph of summary”.)
2. “The jacket I wear in the snow is…” option: (Descriptive writing, adjective practice).
Children color the jacket pattern to match their own coat, then describe their jacket.
3. “My favorite thing to do when it snows is…” option: (Short & simple. Limited to one thing.)
Children write about what their favorite thing to do in the snow is, then draw a picture underneath.
4. “When I’m all bundled up for winter I like to…” option: (Longer, expanded, can also be a list.)
Children write about all of the things that they enjoy doing when they play in the snow.
Because they are very different, you can do the “retell the story” picture jacket, as well as the generic jacket with a writing prompt.
Possibly one for class and another for “early finishers” a fun homework assignment, or tuck in your "sub tub".
* Besides the black and white options, I’ve also included full color, plus my samples, so teachers can quickly & easily make an example to share.
Completed projects make a sweet bulletin board or hallway-wall display. I’ve included several posters to use for the center of your display.
Finally, since my storytelling "sliders" are such a hit, I also made one for "The Jacket I Wear In The Snow", which will help your students retell the story in chronological order.
Because I've become quite the clip art collector, there are 5 outside slider versions to choose from. I LOVE options and thought you might too.
Pick your favorite or give children a choice. Students color the story elements on the “slider strip” then cut and glue it together.
As they pull on the end of the “slider-strip” the various pictures go through the “window”, so that children can take turns retelling the story to a partner or reading buddy, then take their craftivity home to share with their family, once again practicing these standards.
Storytelling sliders are also an easy & interesting way to assess comprehension.
I’ve included a “Let’s “sequence the story” activity for this, where students color and trim the picture “windows” then glue them in the correct order on their worksheet.
There’s also 2, “Here’s What Happened…” writing prompt worksheets, as another way to check comprehension, plus practice sequential writing, hopefully using a variety of ordinal numbers and other transitions.
Since Chinese New Year started on the 28th and runs through February 15th, today's featured FREEBIE is a quick, easy & super-fun Chinese Lantern craft.
It provides simple cuttng practice, and an intersting way to help strengthen those finger muscles.
Completed projects look terrific dangling from the ceiling, or as a border in the hallway.
Well that's it for today, it's snowing once again, and I'm finding it difficult to break my reclusive habits; as I'd much rather be snuggly and warm crafting away, than braving the outdoors.
Wishing you a delightful day filled with memorable moments.
Happy Year of the ROOSTER!
“One year goes by taking with it a set of hopes and aspirations. Another year comes in with bundles of new opportunities to relive your dreams and realize your goals. “ -Unknown