1-2-3 Come Retell & Sequence a Story With Me

Do you read Lucille Colandro's "Old Lady Who Swallowed...." stories? I pretty much have her entire collection, as my students really enjoy them.  They are also perfect for practicing the "sequencing & retelling a story" standards.

Last week I featured "The Little Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat".   Today's blog, talks about my newest autumn addition “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!” 

As with the former, this packet also features a variety of quick, easy & super-fun (print & go) activities.

The packet includes:

1. * A whole group sequencing activity with a large, colorful old lady’s head.

For extra durability, print on card stock, then laminate & trim the pieces. 

I purposely used ordinal numbers for the tongue, so that you can practice another standard. 

Pass out the mini cards (of what the old lady swallowed) to your students. 

As you come to that item in the story, the child holding that card attaches it to the old lady's tongue. You can use a magnet, Velcro or glue dot to attach the pictures. 

After the "swallowed items" have been placed on the tongue, there are still the larger pieces left.

The old lady sneezes (Ahchoo!), a pumpkin-head scarecrow results, and finally, the last item to be placed on your whiteboard or flannel board is the "Happy Fall!" speech bubble.  See photo for how I placed the additional, story telling pieces.

When everything is in place, point to each item and have children retell the story. 

They will be excited to transition to making a little old lady of their own.  Thus, the packet also includes...

2. * An independent activity with a smaller, black & white old lady, where students color & cut the items that the old lady swallows.

This is a 2-on-a-one-page pattern, to conserve paper & be just the right size for students.

Children sequence, then glue the “picture tiles” to her tongue in chronological order.

So that you can easily diversify your lessons to suit the various abilities & skill levels of your students, I've included a variety of options. 

For example, after they have added some color, little ones can simply glue the entire picture strip on the tongue, without cutting and gluing the graphics individually. 

There's also a "mixed up" strip for older students to color, cut, sort & sequence, then glue on. 

To expedite this, the "boxes" on the tongue, are the same size as their matching picture, plus there are 3 tongue patterns to choose from.

As always, all patterns come in full-color so that teachers can quickly & easily make examples to share, as well as black & white for students to color.

3. * Since completed projects make a terrific bulletin board or hallway display, I’ve included a “Having Fun With the Little Old Lady” poster for some extra pizzazz. 

Curling the tip of the old lady's tongue also gives your display some 3D pop.

The packet also includes:

A variety of versatile worksheets, which can be done as a whole group activity, used in a small reading group, or done individually.

The various options help you easily diversify your lessons.

4. * I’ve also included colorful answer keys.

Worksheets:

5. * A “Checking for Comprehension” worksheet, where students fill in the blanks using words from a word bank.

6. An “Ask Me a Question” worksheet.

7.  * An “Ordinal Number Fun” worksheet, where students label the pumpkin-head scarecrows “parts” with ordinal numbers.

Besides the full-page patterns, there are also 2-on-a-one page pattern options as well.

8. * A “Let’s Sequence The Little Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves” worksheet. 

     Four different options allow you to easily diversify this activity.

9. * A “Here’s What Happened” writing extension.

10. * For added value, there’s a BONUS activity: “Show Me A Pattern” game/center, which uses the picture tiles.

Print the colorful patterns on card stock, laminate & trim & use in your math/reading center. 

The black & white template can be used as an assessment tool, early finishers, or fun homework assignment.

As always, all patterns come in full-color so that teachers can quickly & easily make examples to share, as well as black & white for students to color.

Today's featured FREEBIE is also perfect for fall, and even includes some leaf-themed activities.

These worksheets will help students practice: writing and sequencing numbers, as well as skip counting by 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's. 

I've also included worksheets for counting from 1-120 as well as What's Missing? activities.

Well that's it for today.  I hope you found something here you can use.

Click here to see more Halloween activities.

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Don’t forget that all of my new products are 40% off for 48 hours.

Click this LINK to follow my shop & you'll be notified of these huge savings.

How we learn is part of what we learn. -Bonnie Friedman

1-2-3 Come Do A Valentine Storytelling Craft With Me

Do you read "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Rose" by Lucille Colandro?

My students absolutely love this collection of stories, and they are perfect for practicing the “sequencing and retelling a story” standards.

If you don't have the book, and would like to familiarize yourself with the story, click this LINK to find it on YouTube.

With that in mind, I designed these quick, easy & fun storytelling "Slider" and "Wheel" craftivities that will help your students retell the story in the proper order.

Either craft is simple enough as a great addition to your Valentine’s Day party too.

First up, the "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose" storytelling SLIDER:

There are 4 “cover” options available:

• 2, little old lady "head options,
• a full-body granny, plus
• a rose. 

Pick your favorite or give children a choice.

All of them are easy-peasy to cut, as they are in a box shape; however, you can also choose to cut around the little old lady’s head.

I took pictures of both samples so that you can decide which you like best. 

There are also 2 size options available.

Both heads are bigger, with a larger "slider strip", while the rose & granny's body are smaller (on a half page). They have a smaller "slider strip" as well. 

You decide which best suits your students' abilities.

Children color, cut & glue their slider strips together, then insert it into the “slits” of their cover.

As they pull on the end of the “slider” the various pictures go through the “window”, so that children can take turns retelling the story to a partner.

I introduce the lesson by reading the story, then share my sample with the children.

We retell the tale together, using the picture prompts on the slider.

My students now know what’s expected of them, and are very excited to transition to making a “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose” slider of their own.

As always, both color, as well as black & white patterns are included.

For a quick, easy & interesting way to assess comprehension, there's a “Let’s sequence the story” worksheet, where students color and trim the picture tiles then glue them in the correct order on their worksheet.

Use the teacher’s colorful copy as a whole group sequencing activity,  by passing the cards out to your students. 

When you get to that part in the story, the child with the matching card, comes up & places it on the ordinal number mat. (Use magnet or Velcro dots to adhere the cards).

After the story, I pass the cards out to different children for a final review.

Remember to grab that teachable moment to practice ordinal numbers as well.

Both the Slider & Wheel packets include a “Here’s What Happened…” writing prompt worksheet, as another way to check comprehension, plus practice sequential writing.

Use the colorful template to do this as a whole group activity with younger kiddos, discussing beginning, middle & end.

Finally, the storytelling wheels are also a super-fun way for your students to practice the sequencing & retelling standards.

There are 3 wheel “cover” options to choose from.

Choose your favorite, or give students a choice.

When everyone is done, practice telling “There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Rose” using the manipulative.

Simply turn the wheel & call on a child to explain what’s happening in that graphic.

Afterwards, have students pick a partner and take turns retelling the story to each other.

Sometimes we do this with our older, reading buddies.

For more reinforcement, as well as another way to assess comprehension, I’ve also included 2, “color, cut & glue” puzzle worksheets.

Use the two, full-color versions for an independent puzzle center, where children arrange the pieces on a 5-piece pie grid.

There is puzzle for the first half of the story, plus another puzzle for the second half of the tale. To make this center self-correcting, number the pieces on the back using two different colors, which will make sorting easy-peasy.

Another super-fun thing for students to do is to play “Speed”.  Children pick a partner & race eachother to see who will be the first to complete their puzzle. 

Add to the fun by using a dice for the first puzzle. 

Whatever number a child rolls is the number that they put on their puzzle.

If they roll a 6 they lose their turn. 

When doing the second puzzle, children play with two dice, which will help practice simple addition.

Today's featured FREEBIE also has to do with Valentine's Day.

It's a simple, (rip & tear) "I love you to pieces" valentine card, that's lots of fun for your kiddos, while being a great way to help strengthen their finger muscles.

It's perfect for your valentine party day, and is generic enough so you can use it for Mother's Day, Father's Day or Grandparents Day as well.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

We just had 5 inches of snow dumped on us, so it's time to do a bit of shoveling.

Wishing you a toasty & warm week. 

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Check out my educational Pinterest boards by clicking HERE.

 "The Giving of love, is an education in itself." -Eleanor Roosevelt

1-2-3 Come Do A Mitten Activity With Me

Do you read the Ukrainian folktale The Mitten, by Jan Brett? It’s one of my favorite winter stories and perfect for practicing the sequencing and retelling a story standards.

With that in mind, I designed this quick, easy and fun, mitten-themed craft. 

The Mitten story “slider” craftivity helps your students retell the story in the proper order.

I just updated this packet and have included a second slider option as well as some additional worksheets.

Simply choose which graphics you like best, then run the mitten and slider patterns off on white paper.

Using construction paper or card stock adds to the sturdiness.

Children trim their mitten, then color, cut and glue their slider together. 

I pre-cut the mitten slits using an Exacto knife, so that children can easily insert their “storytelling strip”.

Takes me just a few minutes to slit a class set. (Try to say that tongue twister 3 times!)

As children pull on the end of their “slider” the various pictures go through the mitten “window”, so that students can take turns retelling the story to a partner, then take their mitten home to share with their family, once again practicing the lesson.

I introduce the lesson by reading the story, then share my sample with the children. 

We retell the tale together, using the picture prompts on the slider.   Pausing before I show the graphic, I ask children "what comes next?"

We've had a quick & fun review; my students now know what’s expected of them, and are excited to transition to making a “mitten story slider” of their own. 

So that you can quickly and easily make an example to share, I’ve included full-color patterns for teachers, as well as a black & white templates for students.

The coloring, cutting and assembling a storytelling slider provides great fine motor practice, which will help strengthen children's finger muscles. 

Sliders are an easy & interesting way to assess comprehension.  I’ve also included a “Let’s sequence the story” activity for this, where students color and trim the "picture tiles" then glue them in the correct order on their worksheet.

There’s a larger, full-color option, so you can do this as a fun whole-group activity with little ones.  This can be done during, or after you read the story.

There’s also a “Here’s What Happened…” writing prompt worksheet, as another way to check comprehension, plus practice sequential writing; hopefully using a variety of ordinal numbers and other transitions. 

Use the colorful template to do this as a whole group activity with younger kiddos. 

Keeping with a winter theme, today's featured FREEBIE is a sweet snowman "Name Stacker" craft.

I pre-cut the white circles for my kiddos.

Looking at their name tag, which is on their desk, they write a letter on each of the circles to spell their name.

Encourage students to make big letters, which fill up the center of the circle.

Afterwards, they glue on a hat and add some facial features to the "head"; then glue the rest of their "body" circles on, creating a vertical name "stacker" snowman. 

 Completed projects look adorable on lockers.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by. 

My "To Do for January" list is quite daunting. 

I'm afraid there is simply not enough time in the month to get everything designed that I'd like. Oh well...

Wishing you a wonderful & stress-free week.

"Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers." -Kahlil Gibran

1-2-3 Come Do Some "Very Busy Spider" Activities With Me

 Do you read Eric Carle's "The Very Busy Spider" ? It's one of my students' favorite spider stories, and perfect for sequencing! 

With these things in mind,  I designed 3 "craftivities" that will help practice the "sequencing & retelling a story" standards: There's a slider, wheel and flip booklet.

Any of the projects make for a wonderful transition activity, after you're done reading the story.   Fun for your kiddos and easy-peasy for you too, as all three are simply “Print & Go”. 

First up is the "caught in a web of learning" spider web flip booklet.

To introduce the lesson, I show my students the 2 photo-posters featuring real orb spider webs, since the cover of the booklet is also an orb web.

There are a variety of options for you to choose from:

There are 5 blank webs so you can add a plastic spider, or make one with a fluffy pom pom, or fingerprint.

There are also 6 webs featuring a non-scary spider, for students to color. I added wiggle eyes for extra pizzazz.

Pick your favorite, or give students a choice. 

Children color, cut & collate their pages, then add the cover.

There are also page options for you to choose from, which feature pages with & without traceable words to reinforce more standards.

I personally like the "trace the word" pages best. Even tho' my Y5s can't read, they are practicing letters, while my first graders get the added benefit of word recognition.

There's also enough room if you want your students to write the word as well.

As always, the graphics come in full color patterns so that you can quickly & easily make an example to share, as well as black & white templates, for students.

I purposely did not number the pages, so you can assess comprehension & students' ability to sequence correctly.

When everyone is done, practice retelling “The Very Busy Spider” by calling on a child, who explains what is happening in that graphic.

You could also ask, “Is this the setting of the story?” “Is this the beginning-middle-or end of the story?” etc.

Afterwards, for more reinforcement, have students pick a partner and take turns sharing their booklet with each other. 

When you're done with your "retelling the story" activities, you can jazz up the spider web covers if you like. 

Using Elmer's glue, have students "trace" the web lines, then sprinkle with glitter. Printing the cover on black construction paper really makes the silver glitter pop.

Since you're putzing with glue, you can also add a plastic or pom pom spider at this time as well.

To check comprehension, & reinforce the “sequencing a story” standards further, I’ve also included a “Here’s What Happened…” writing prompt worksheet.

Use the colorful template to do this as a whole group activity with younger students. This activity, with different graphics is also in the busy spider slider & wheel options. 

Next up is the slider. 

There are 2 outside slider options to choose from, which children color & trim.

Students color the story elements on the “slider strip” then cut and glue it together. (Both options use the same “slider strip”).

As they pull on the end of the “slider” 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 slider home to share with their family, once again practicing these standards.

I introduce the lesson by reading "The Very Busy Spider", then share my completed "slider craftivity” with my students.

After I read the story, we retell the tale together, using the picture prompts.

Have children guess which story element they think comes next before you pull the picture through the “window”.

My students now know what’s expected of them, and are very excited to transition to making a story slider of their own. 

Storytelling sliders are also an easy & interesting way to assess comprehension.

Besides the "Here's What Happened..." worksheet explained previously, the "spider slider" and "wheel" options also include 2, “Let's sequence the story” worksheets, where students color and trim the picture “windows” then glue them in the correct order on the blank worksheet.

I've also included a larger, colorful one to use during and/or after you've read the story.

My students absolutely love this "game".  As you can see by the photographs, the graphics for the slider and the ones for the wheel are different.

I purchased more clip art from two different artists, to add variety to your lessons, as teachers have told me that they've purchased both, using one as an independent center and the other for a whole group activity.

Finally, the storytelling wheel is yet another quick, easy & fun way for students to practice the “retelling & sequencing” a story standards.

Since there are quite a few characters and parts to this tale, I designed a “beginning of the story” wheel, with 6 sections; plus another 6-part wheel, to tell the end of the story.

This way, the 12 graphics are a nice size for coloring.

When everyone is done, practice retelling by using the manipulative. Everyone starts by turning their wheel so that the busy spider on the fence appears in the “pie-slice window”, then call on a child to begin the story,

Continue to turn the wheel, calling on different students to tell you that portion of the story, explaining the “picture prompt”.  

After you've explained the picture with the pig, take the first wheel out by unfastening the brass brad, then insert the "end of the story" wheel to complete retelling "The Very Busy Spider." 

Today's FREEBIE also features "The Very Busy Spider". 

It's a sweet doorknob dangler, which you can hang on your classroom door, or have students make the BW one for their bedroom.

There are two options, so that you can have a front & back side.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by. 

It's pouring rain. Perfect for working on some not-so-spooky spider stuff.

"Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet." - Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do Some "Jack & the Beanstalk" Fairy Tale Craftivities With Me

Since my fairy tale craftivites seem to be popular, I'm continuing to slug along making crafts for more stories,  which will help reinforce a variety of standards.

"Jack and the Beanstalk" is a favorite of my students, so I designed a flip booklet, slider and storytelling wheel. 

All three projects help practice the "sequencing & retelling a story" standards. 

If your kiddos are like mine, they will LOVE making any of these, and really enjoy telling the tale using the manipulative. 

First up is the "flip" booklet.

There are 2 “print & go” booklet options to choose from: one featuring the giant’s castle, the other the cottage, where Jack & his mom live.

Pick your favorite, or give students a choice.

There are full color patterns so that you can quickly & easily make an example to share, plus black & white templates so students can make their own.

Children color, cut & collate their pages, then add the cover.

I've also included an optional title page, "Once upon a time" page, plus a "And they lived happily ever after page" too.

Since children enjoy giving their opinions, there's also a "thumbs up or down" rating page, along with a star ranking as well. 

Use the blank "base" space for a writing prompt, such as, "What was your favorite part of the story?" 

Younger kiddos can write "The End" or "They lived happily ever after."

To help further reinforce sequencing and as a way to check comprehension and practice a bit of writing, all 3 packets include several "Here's What Happened..." writing prompt worksheets. 

Since there are many versions of this fairy tale, all 3 packets also include 3, “giant’s treasure” options.

Simply pick the (booklet page, slider or wheel) version that matches the story that you read. 

Next up is the "Jack and the Beanstalk" storytelling wheel. 

There are two, full color cover options, so teachers can easily make a sample to share; plus black & white patterns, so your students can color their own.

Pick your favorite, or give children a choice between a beanstalk topped with a castle in the clouds, or a beanstalk that Jack is climbing. 

Children color the cover, as well as the "pie" wheel graphics, then poke a hole through both, and fasten with a brass brad. 

So you have a nice variety, I purchased lots of "Jack & the Beanstalk" clip art, so that each packet is different. 

This way, if you purchase more than one craft, it will be fresh, incorporating different graphics. 

I use the flip booklet to tell the story to my students; then I review the story with the "slider" craftivity, and then have my students transition to making a wheel. 

All three of my samples are then kept in a basket in our language arts center. 

For another fairy tale, I switch things up, so in the end my students have had an opportunity to make all three "types" of storytelling crafts, but for different fairy tales.

Both the wheel and the slider packets, also include a "Let's Sequence the Story" worksheet, where students color, cut and glue the "picture tiles" in the correct order. 

So that you can diversify your lessons, there are two options. 

I've also included a larger, colorful copy for teachers.  Print, laminate & trim and then use while reading the story, or as a reveiw afterwards. 

Pass out the pieces to students, then have them help you put them in sequential order.  Use tape, magnet dots, or Velcro to stick the pictures to the base.

When everyone is done with whatever craftivity you've chosen, practice retelling the fairy tale “Jack and the Beanstalk” by calling on a child, who explains what is happening in that graphic.

You could also ask, “Is this the setting of the story?”, “Is there more than one setting?”, “Is this the beginning-middle-or end of the story?” etc.

Afterwards, for more reinforcement, have students pick a partner and take turns sharing their booklet with each other. 

Finally, there is the "Jack & the Beanstalk" Slider Craft.

There are 3 "cover" options for this craft which feature: Jack climbing the beanstalk, the castle, as well as the giant.

As with the other crafts, choose your favorite, or run off the variety and give children a choice. 

Use card stock, or white construction paper for a sturdier and less flimsy craft.

I call these "sliders" because a paper strip "slides" through two slits, revealing various "story elements". 

Students retell the fairy tale, by pulling the paper strip through the "window". 

Today's featured FREEBIE is a little something for your Open House or "Meet the Teacher" back to school event, which is also appreciated during "parent-teacher" conferences too.

I put a basket of peppermints on a table for visitors. (Use soft mints for younger grades).

Here's the poster I print, laminate & tuck by my basket of candy: "Families Are Worth A Mint! Thank you for your involve-mint and commit-mint to your child's education Here is a sweet treat for your enjoy-mint!" 

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by. 

It's wonderfully overcast today, with a nice summer breeze...perfect for doing a bit of gardening. 

Wishing you a fun-filled and stress-free day. 

"I am not a teacher, but an awakener." -Robert Frost

1-2-3 Come Do A "Jack and the Beanstalk" Fairy Tale Craft With Me

Do you read the fairy tale genre to your children?

It’s one of my students’ favorite themes. Among their favorites is Jack and the Beanstalk.

To help them sequence & retell the story, I designed this super-fun beanstalk craft.

So that you can quickly & easily make an example to share, I’ve included full-color patterns, as well as the black & white ones for students.

Children color & cut out the castle & title cloud, then glue them together.

An 8-link paper chain is suspended from the bottom of the cloud.

Three leaves, with story element captions (Setting, Characters & Events) add to the beanstalk’s appearance.

Since there are a variety of versions for Jack & the Beanstalk, I’ve included a number of “picture tile” options.

Students choose the ones that were in the story that they read, then color & cut out these mini "pages".

They sort the picture pages into the 3 different story element categories: setting, characters & events, then sequence each group of pages, in the order that they appeared in the fairy tale.

These “itty bitty” storytelling booklets, are then glued to the appropriate leaf.

Before displaying, have students partner up, taking turns explaining what the setting is and who the characters are, then retelling the tale using the picture prompts.

For writing practice, and to further check comprehension, I’ve also included a “Here’s What Happened…” worksheet, which can be done as a whole group with little ones.

 Completed projects look terrific suspended from the ceiling as a border along a hallway wall. 

I've included a "Climbing new heights in reading" poster to add extra pizzazz to your display, which is sure to garner lots of compliments from passers by!

Today's featured FREEBIE is a back to school apple puzzle.

This is an inexpensive little gift you can make for your kiddos for that first day of school, which will occupy their time for a bit, freeing you up.

I've also included a large apple puzzle, to be used as an independent center activity, as well as a blank grid, to help younger students easily put their puzzles together. 

The patterns come in color, as well as black and white, so kiddos can color, then cut out their own puzzle, then put it together; which gives you even more "sanity saving" time.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for popping in. It's a lovely summer day here in Michigan. 

So love the sunshine streaming in my office window, along with a frangrant and gentle breeze. 

Feeling very contented and blessed.  Wishing you a carefree day.

1-2-3 Come Do Some "Three Billy Goats Gruff" Activities With Me

 Do you read the fairy tale, "Three Billy Goats Gruff" ? It's an old-fashioned favorite of mine, and perfect for sequencing! 

So I designed 3 "craftivities" that will help practice the "sequencing & retelling a story" standards: There's a slider, wheel and flip booklet. 

Any of the projects make for a wonderful transition activity, after you're done reading the story.   Fun for your kiddos and easy-peasy for you too, as all three are simply “Print & Go”. 

First up is the flip booklet.

There are 2 booklet options to choose from: one featuring a troll, the other a goat.

The troll pages are large circles with bigger graphics, while the goat pages come two on a one-page pattern. The graphics are also a nice size.

Pick your favorite, or give students a choice. 

There are full color patterns so that you can quickly & easily make an example to share, plus black & white templates, so students can make their own.

Simply run the troll and goat patterns off on construction paper or card stock. Students color & trim. These become the sturdy “base” of their booklet.

Children then color, cut & collate the pages into a little book, which is then attached to the base.

I purposely did not number the pages, so you can assess comprehension & their ability to sequence correctly.

You can also easily omit pages, to make a shorter booklet for little ones, so they can simply tell the "beginning-middle & end" of the story.

For some writing practice, I thought it would be fun for students, to add a caption inside a speech bubble, that’s above a “color me” picture of the troll falling off the bridge or being swept away in the river.

Completed worksheets make a cute bulletin board.

Next up is the slider.  There are 3 outside slider options to choose from, which children color & trim.

Two options are square for easy-peasy, straight-edge cutting, while the other is a “cut me out” troll, for those with more scissor experience.

Students color the story elements on the “slider strip” then cut and glue it together. (All 3 options use the same “slider strip”).

As they pull on the end of the “slider” 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 troll/goat home to share with their family, once again practicing these standards.

I introduce the lesson by reading "3 Billy Goats Gruff", then share my completed "slider craftivity” with my students.

So that you can quickly, and easily make an example, I’ve included a full-color slider pattern.

After I read the story, we retell the tale together, using the picture prompts. Have children guess which story element they think comes next before you pull the picture through the “window”.

My students now know what’s expected of them, and are very excited to transition to making a story slider of their own. 

Finally, the storytelling wheel is yet another quick, easy & fun way for students to practice the “retelling & sequencing” a story standards.

There are 2 wheel options to choose from: one featuring a troll, the other, the 3 billy goats. The "pie wheel" that's underneath is the same.  I give my students a choice.

When everyone is done, practice retelling by using the manipulative. Everyone starts by turning their wheel so that the 3 goats appear in the “pie-slice window”, then call on a child to begin the story,

Continue to turn the wheel, calling on different students to tell you that portion of the story, explaining the “picture prompt”. You can also ask kiddos if this is the beginning-middle-or end of the tale.

To further check comprehension, I’ve included a “color, cut & glue” worksheet in all 3 packets.

Same format, but with different clip art that matches that particular craftivity.  There's a simple version for younger kiddos, as well as a more challenging option, where the "picture tiles" are mixed up.

As another way to assess comprehension, as well as include some writing practice, there’s also a variety of “Here’s What Happened…” worksheets, which can be done as a whole group with younger children.

When everyone is done with their slider, wheel or flip booklet, have children pick a partner and take turns telling the story, “3 Billy Goats Gruff” to each other.
We sometimes do this sort of thing with our older reading buddies.

Afterwards, encourage students to share their goat/troll craft with their parents, once again retelling the story.

Because my little peanuts are absolutely exhausted, at the end of our day, I like to show some sort of very short educational video.

This is a "winding down" (calming time) for us, which not only helps my students, but gives me a few minutes to get things ready for dismissal.

I spend quite a bit of time seaching YouTube, so I've also included 3 of my favorite "Billy Goats Gruff" video links in all three packets. 

I sincerely hope you'll give one of these crafts a try.   If your students are like mine, they will really enjoy sequencing and retelling with a "paper manipulative".

Today's featured FREEBIE is a fun little "back to school" icebreaker treat bag. I enjoy decorating with fish.

They work for the beginning of the year, as well as summer; their bright colors simply give one a happy feeling.

There's also the terrific "play on words" possibilities, with "school" and "o-fish-ally".

So  I designed these sweet treat bag "headers" to put at the top of a Snack Baggie of Fishy crackers. Don't want to do a treat bag? Use the patterns for a bookmark!

There's also a fish pattern to slit & slide a push-up Popsicle through, plus a bookmark for more quick, easy & inexpensive treats.

I've included a "We're ready for a 'fin-tastic' school year" poster as well, which can be the center for a fish-filled bulletin board.

The packet includes patterns for preschool, kindergarten & 1st grade, with a blank template to fill in with whatever grade you teach. 

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

I don't know about you, but my back-to-school, "To Do" list, keeps getting longer as the summer gets shorter.

Wishing you a relaxing and stress-free day.

"Less Monday; more summer!" -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do Some "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" Activities With Me

Do you read "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff? 

I absolutely love her "If You Give A..." series of stories.  So do my students.  They truly get a kick out of the endings, where things come full circle and then repeat. 

Glad that a publisher finally agreed, as that best-selling book was rejected 9 times!!!! Puts new meaning behind the words, "Try, try again." 

These books are perfect for sequencing!  With that in mind, I designed a storytelling flip booklet, as well as a slider craftivity. 

Both packets will help practice the "sequencing & retelling a story" standards, and make for a wonderful transition activity, after you're done reading the story.  

First up is the "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" flip booklet. 

Fun for your kiddos and easy-peasy for you too, as it’s simply “Print & Go”. 

Simply run the mouse pattern off on construction paper or card stock.
Students color & trim. This becomes the sturdy “base” of their booklet.

Students color, cut & collate the pages into a little book, which is then glued to the base.

I purposely did not number the pages, so you can assess comprehension & ability to sequence correctly.

I've included black & white patterns, as well as colorful ones, so that you can quickly & easily make an example to share.

Because children absolutely love giving their opinion, the last page allows them a chance to rate the story with a thumbs up or down, as well as coloring in a star ranking.

To further check comprehension, I’ve included a “color, cut & glue” worksheet too.

As another way to assess comprehension, as well as include some writing practice, there’s also a “Here’s What Happened…” worksheet, which can be done as a whole group with younger children.

When everyone is done, have children pick a partner and take turns telling the story, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” to each other.
We sometimes do this sort of thing with our older reading buddies.

Afterwards, encourage students to share their mouse craft with their parents, once again retelling the story.

Next up is the slider.  There are several mouse options. I’ve included a large, full-page pattern for teachers, as well as a smaller, 2-on-a-page pattern for your students.

Children color the story elements on the “slider strip” then cut and glue it together.

As they pull on the end of the “slider” the various pictures go through the cookie “window”, so that children can take turns retelling the story to a partner or reading buddy, then take their mouse 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 “sequence the story” slider activity for this, where students color and trim the picture “windows” then glue them in the correct order on the blank slider strip.

You also have the option to do the regular slider with the story graphics in the appropriate order, then assess comprehension afterwards, using the “Sequence the Story” worksheet.

I introduce the lesson by reading "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie", then share my completed "slider craftivity” with my students.

So that you can quickly, and easily make an example, I’ve included a full-color slider pattern.

After I read the story, we retell the tale together, using the picture prompts on my cookie mouse.
Have children guess which story element they think comes next before you pull the picture through the “window”.

My students now know what’s expected of them, and are very excited to transition to making a Cookie Mouse story slider of their own.

As with the flip booklet, this packet also includes a "Here's What Happened..." worksheet, in black & white, as well as color, so that you can do this as a whole group discussion with little ones.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a fun little "back to school" icebreaker.

You can play this "get to know you game" with M&Ms or Skittles,   This activity works with a variety of ages and grade levels.  I hope you find it useful.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for popping in. 

Not sure about you, but my summer is going at the speed of light. 

Seems like we were all just cheering on the last day, and now we're getting ready for that exciting first week of school. 

Wishing you a blessed day free of stress, and those too long "To Do" lists.

"You do enough. You are enough. You've done enough. You have enough. Relax." - Unknown

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

1-2-3 Come Do Some Polar Express Activities With Me

“All Aboard! The Polar Express is now leaving for the North Pole!”
Do you read this classic Christmas story by Chris Van Allsburg?

It’s a personal favorite of mine, especially because Chris is from my home town here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, so you can imagine how popular this book is with the teachers in my school.

With that in mind, I decided to make 3 Polar Express craftivities that would reinforce some language arts standards. First up, is the Lit Express.

As you can see by the pictures, I chose Christmas colors of red and green for my train, but you can run off a variety of colors of construction paper and give children a choice.

By the looks of the photograph the train appears small, but the pattern for each car takes up a full page.  I purposely made the templates large, so that there's plently of room for wtudents to write.

Teachers can make the train, laminate & then do this as a whole-group discussion activity with preschool and kinders, writing their answers down with a dry erase marker, then reviewing the story.

Older students can make their own Polar Express.

I suggest doing this over a few days, making several cars each day, or sending part of the project home to be completed there, and then returned.

Not enough time, but still want to give this cute craft a whirl? Simply have students do just the engine along with the “stat” car, or a -3-piece train with the engine, stat car and caboose.

Completed projects make an absolutely adorable, hallway wall border.

I’ve included an “All Aboard For Literacy” poster for your display as well.

Gluing a child’s school photo peeking out the engine’s window, makes them the conductor, and adds to the “awww” keepsake factor.

Later, the entire train accordion-folds, making the project small and flat, which easily tucks in a backpack, then unfolded, one car at a time, to retell the tale of The Polar Express to their family.

The project helps reinforce the parts of a story: Author, Illustrator, Setting, Characters, Problem & Solution, as well as practicing the ”sequencing & retelling” a story standards, via the “Beginning, Middle & End” writing prompt train cars. 

I've included extra page patterns, so students can write more if they want.

I have my kiddos write their rough draft on scratch paper, then after their final edit, then using red, black & green markers, they record their work on the approriate train car.

I’ve also included a “Here’s What Happened” worksheet, should you opt for a shorter train.

So that you can quickly and easily make an example to share, I’ve included the templates of my completed samples, plus plenty of photographs, with step-by-step directions.

Next up is a "Polar Express" storytelling wheel. This craftivity is another quick, easy and fun way to practice the "sequencing & retelling" a story standards.   

There are 5 “print & go” cover options to choose from. Pick your favorite, or give students a choice.

There are full color patterns to use for an independent center, as well as a sample to share, plus a black & white pattern, so students can make their own.

When everyone is done, practice retelling “The Polar Express" using the manipulative. Everyone starts by turning their wheel so that the boy in his pajamas appears in the “pie-slice window”, then call on a child to begin the story,

Continue to turn the wheel, calling on different students to tell you that portion of the story, explaining the “picture prompt”.

For writing practice, and to assess & check comprehension, and reinforce the “sequencing a story” standard, I’ve also included a “Here’s What Happened” writing prompt worksheet.

Besides BW, there’s a full color template so you can quickly & easily make an example to share, or do as a whole group activity with little ones.

I’ve also included a circular “Polar Express” puzzle. Use the colorful patterns for an independent center, and the black & white version so students can make their own puzzle to take home.

The base, which students place the puzzle pieces on, includes ordinal numbers so you can practice that standard as well.

Finally, my personal favorite is this Polar Express "flip-the-flap" Train Engine booklet.  It too, is a super-fun way to practice the "sequencing & retelling" a story standards.

Run off the engine on construction paper.

I chose the Christmasy colors of red & green, but you could print on a variety of colors and give children a choice.

Students color, cut & sequence the “window pages” and then glue them to their train.
Gluing a child’s school photo peeking out the Engine’s window, makes them the conductor, and adds to the “awww” keepsake factor.

Another way for students to sequence the story, is with the “Let’s Sequence The Polar Express” worksheet.

Children color, cut and glue the “picture tiles” in the correct order on the train car “windows”.

I’ve included a full-color version for teachers. You can do this as a whole group with little ones, as well as make up some independent, reading center activities.

To assess and check comprehension, I’ve included a “Here’s What Happened” worksheet for older students.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a TICKET to ride "The Polar Express" in your classroom. 

Besides the colorful ticket, I've also included a BW option, but I think it's more fun for children if they get a lovely and vibrantly colored ticket. 

Also in the packet, is an "I Believe!" gift tag to attach to a Christmas jingle bell. 

Sign your name on the back after the "A Merry Christmas Remembrance From", add a date, then run off.

A room helper can cut the tags out, fold them in half and glue the front and back together. 

Punch a hole at the top, insert a piece of ribbon or yarn (curling ribbon is inexpensive & adds extra pizzazz) then tie on a bell.  The entire thing can be hung on a tree.  Pass out to your kiddos as they leave for vacation.

Well that's it for now. Thanks for breezing in. 

As usual I'm off and running today.  This Santa's elf has much to accomplish. 

Wishing you a very merry day filled with the wonder of Christmas.

"The true magic of Christmas, is not in the presents, but in His Presence." -Unknown