1-2-3 Come Do Some "Goldilocks & the 3 Bears" Craftivities With Me

Since "retelling and sequencing a story" are standards I have to teach, I wanted to design a simple and fun little craft that my Young 5s could make, to use as a "hands-on" manipulative, which would "prompt" them as to the sequence of the story, so they could retell it. 

Something that was easy-peasy for me to prep, as well as interesting for my students. Thus "Wheels", "Sliders" and "Flip-the-Flap" storytelling crafts were born. 

Besides black & white patterns for students to color, I've also included full-color templates, so that teachers can quickly and easily make an example to share.  I'm a firm believer in: "A picture [example] is worth a 1,000 words." 

Not only because attention spans are short, but holding something up and sharing it, also grabs kiddos' attention; they can't wait to make one of their own.  

Take a look at each kind of craft, and decide which is best for your students age, skill-level and time you have to make it. 

There are several options within each packet as well. Pick your favorite or give children a choice.  I make all of the options, laminate and put in my literacy center.

First up, "Goldilocks and the 3 Bears"  Flip-the-Flap booklet. 

The bowl of porridge tells the tale, as students color, cut & collate the “bowl-shaped” pages into a little booklet, which is then glued to the bowl that Goldilocks is holding.

The pages flip up to reveal picture prompts that will help students practice the "sequence & retell a story” standard.

I purposely did not number the pages, so you can check comprehension.
This also allows you to choose less pages for preschool students, who can easily sort beginning-middle-& end, then retell the story with a limited number of “picture prompts”.

Simply run the Goldilocks pattern off on construction paper or card stock.
Students trim & add color.

For some 3D pop, have children bend the top of the porridge over, instead of gluing that top section down.

For extra pizzazz & that finishing touch, I also attached a small spoon. These are tiny "tasting" spoons that they sell at party stores.

I bought a set of 24 for less than $2 and my students absolutely loved this "Wow!" factor add on. 

We no longer have "shoe tying" as a standard, but since a spool of ribbon is just a buck at most fabric stores, I let my students try their hand at tying a bow for Goldie's hair, which we attach with a glue dot.

I have a pile pre-made for those who can't accomplish this feat. Just a simple and inexpensive way to embelish the craft and add more fun.

Next, "Goldilocks and the 3 Bears" Storytelling SLIDERS.

I call them "sliders" because students pull a storytelling strip, filled with graphics through a "window".  As they "slide" the "picture prompts", they retell the story. 

There are 4 outside slider options to choose from: (Mama, Papa & Baby bear, plus Goldilocks). 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 “tummy 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. 

After I read the story, we retell the tale together, using the picture prompts on my storytelling slider. I have them guess which story element they think comes next, before I pull the picture through the “window”.  

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.
You can do this as a whole group activity with little ones.

Finally, "Goldilocks and the 3 Bears" Storytelling WHEELS.

There are 5 “print & go” options to choose from. One with all three bears featured on the front, as well as a circle with the title on, and 4 “topper” options: Goldilocks, Papa, Mama & Baby bear.

The simple circle with the 3 bears on the front, is the easier option and perfect for little ones.

Since there are 12 picture prompts for telling the fairy tale, I made two, 6-sectioned "pie" wheels, which students glue back-to-back. Children simply flip their wheel over, to continue telling the rest of the story.

The reason I made a 6-sectioned pie, instead of one with 12, is that I find that if graphics are too small, students don't do a good job of coloring.

My kiddos seem to choose one color and then scribble on a bit of color. When clip art is larger, they choose more colors and do a much better job of coloring, resulting in a nicer finished project.

You don't have to put a BACK "cover" on, but I've included one for that "finishing touch".  Like the slider packet, the wheel packet also has a "Here's What Happened..." writing prompt worksheet to check comprehension and practice writing.

Whether you choose a wheel, slider or a flip-the-flap craft, when everyone is done, have children pick a partner and take turns telling the fairy tale to each other.  We sometimes do this sort of thing with our older reading buddies.

Besides using crafts to practice language arts standards, I also incorporate a bit of art in learning letters.  

Today's featured FREEBIE is our "Letter Hh is for House" craft, which I also use to review shapes and practice our address. 

Completed projects make a sweet bulletin board too, as my students glue their picture on. 

Well that's it for today. The weather outside is getting very dark, so a storm is brewing for sure. 

Great for my flower garden, and perfect for snuggling in and getting some more "to do" items checked off my growing list.

Here's hoping the rain will get rid of this yucky mugginess.  Wishing you a relaxing and stress-free day.

"There's a quiet beauty found in nature when the heavens weep." -Unknown