1-2-3 Come Do Some "First Day Jitters" Activities With Me
Do you read “First Day Jitters” by Julie Danneberg?
It’s one of my all-time favorite back to school books. My students absolutely LOVE the surprise ending.
With that in mind, I decided to make 3 different "Jitter" crafts, to help students sequence and retell the story. They are a super-fun transitional activity after you're done reading.
First up is the “First Day Jitters” flip the flap, schoolhouse booklet.
So that you can differentiate your lessons, I’ve included a simple flip booklet with just 4 pages for little ones, as well as pattern pages for a super-cool schoolhouse, where the pages are cut down the middle, so the "double-doors" of the school house flip open on both sides.
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 schoolhouse pattern off on construction paper or card stock. Students color & trim.
Open the doors to the schoolhouse to retell the story.
Students color, cut & collate the pages into a little booklet, which is then glued to the base of the schoolhouse.
For writing practice, I’ve also included several prompt options that are written on the schoolhouse base patterns. Simply choose which is most appropriate for your kiddos, or you could give them a choice.
Next up is a super-simple "First Day Jitters" storytelling wheel.
If your kiddos are like mine, they will really enjoy making a wheel of their own. It’s a wonderful activity to transition to after reading the story.
To once again grab my students’ attention, I share my sample as a story review, then ask, “Who’d like to make one?” Woo Hoo for excited enthusiasm!
As a whole group, when everyone is done with their craftivity, practice retelling “First Day Jitters” using the wheel manipulative.
Everyone starts by turning their wheel to the “pie slice”, where Mr. Hartwell is calling to Sarah. Pick a child to explain what’s happening in that ”beginning of the story” graphic.
Continue to turn the wheel, calling on different students to tell you about that portion of the story.
To check comprehension, and reinforce the “sequencing a story” standard, I’ve also included a “color, cut & glue” sequencing worksheet.
Use the larger, colorful pattern for a whole group activity with younger kiddos.
Print, laminate & trim the patterns. Attach the grid to your white board, then pass the pieces out to your students.
"How does the story start?" "Who has that story piece?" That child comes up and places it on the grid. (I attach magnet dots to the backs, but you can also use Velcro or tape.)
This activity is also included in the final "Jitters" craftivity, a super-fun "First Day Jitters" storytelling slider.
Students color the story elements on the “slider strip” then cut and glue it together.
With just six, nice-sized graphics, this is easy peasy for even preschool children, making it perfect for explaining the beginning-middle & end of a story too.
As children pull on the end of the “slider-strip” the various pictures go through the “window” on the “door” of the schoolhouse, so that students can take turns retelling the story to a partner or reading buddy, then take their slider home to share with their family, once again practicing these standards.
All three packets include black & white patterns, as well as colorful ones, so that you can quickly & easily make an example to share.
As another way to assess comprehension, as well as include more writing practice, I’ve also included a “Here’s What Happened…” worksheet, which can be done independently, or as a whole group with younger children. This worksheet is included in all three packets as well.
No matter if you're flippng & flapping, or turning & learning, or simply sliding along, I hope you have an absolute blast with your new students.
Today's featured FREEBIE is also a little something for back to school.
I found an "author unknown" quote in various place on the internet, and decided to revamp & expand it, making this "poster poem" appropriate for a teacher to share with their students.
You can hang it up as a poster, or tuck it in your "Welcome Packet". Just a little something fun for "Meet & Greet the Teacher" night too.
Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.
As we head into the weekend we will be topping 90 degrees. I'm so grateful that we have air conditioning in our home.
Despite the heat, I may venture out to walk my poodle pup and water the flowers. Wishing you a relaxing and super-fun summer & jitter-free school year.
Oh and if you too love "First Day Jitters" be sure and check out Danneberg's "Last Day Blues" it too is a sweet story that proves teachers & students have a lot more in common that they think.
"Summer: Hair gets lighter; skin gets darker. Water gets warmer; drinks get colder. Music gets louder; nights get longer. Life gets better in the good ole' summertime. " -Unknown
