story time =)

So, I'm a little behind (again.)

Let me back track... on Friday, I had the k-2^nd grade. I chose to read them a story called “Mr. B.B Wolf goes to the library.” It’s all about how the Big Bad Wolf gets invited to go to a tea party at the library. His friend, the crocodile, teaches him “proper tea etiquette,” before he goes to the party. There he runs into the three little pigs, little red riding hood, and the Gingerbread boy. At the end, the librarian speaks of how nice the wolf is in comparison to the other stories he had participated in. Seems that the moral states not to judge people by the stories you heard, but to take a chance to get to know them.

Once the story was done, I asked them to write me a story and to illustrate it. I folded two piece of paper in four sections, labeled each section with the numbers 1-8. Once they finished their story and pictures, I then had them cut the paper into four, put the pages in order and stapled them. They then had created a little story book that went into envelopes that they decorated themselves. Many addressed their envelopes to their moms. One first grade boy wrote me a story about a bunny and his friends, who try to crawl into a small hole in the wall. The body of the bunnies took on the shape of the letter “H.” This particular student is also very shy and very much attached to his mom. When I mentioned the story he wrote to his mom, she stated that he reminds her of a little bunny. From observation, he is always trying to squeeze himself into her arms.  

Another student, a kindergartner, wrote me a story about cats and dogs. Nothing on these pages looked like actual words, but the way she told her story was wonderful. Each page, according to her, stated another part of the story that fit the illustrations. She was extremely excited to read it to anyone who would listen.

Doing this project, I feel, allowed the students to express themselves. It also lifted their self-esteem because, not only did they feel they had accomplished something, they were able to share something they created with others. Seeing how much joy it brought to the students to be able to give mom something they created themselves definitely made the mess I had to clean up after worth it.

Enjoy your weekend!

-Miss Tanja