Activity 4: Story
Part of Chalice Children
Activity time: 5 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Story book
Preparation for Activity
- Choose a story from the following suggestions:
- That’s Not a Daffodil! by Elizabeth Honey, 2011. When Tom’s neighbor Mr. Yilmaz gives him a brown bulb, Tom can’t believe it will grow into a flower. “That’s not a daffodil!” says Tom. “Well,” says the old gardener, “let’s plant it and see.” Tom plays a game of imagination as the daffodil bulb given to him by his kindly neighbor grows first into a green beak, then turns into a rocket, and finally into a trumpet of gold.
- Seasons by Blexbolex, 2010. This book explores the cyclical nature of time by looking at the seasons, encouraging observation of the world around us, and leading the reader to form all sorts of logical and imaginative associations having to do with the seasons, the cycles of life, and time.
- Clifford’s First Autumn by Norman Bridwell, 2012. Summer is over, and Clifford, the small red puppy, is curious about the changes that are happening all around him.
- The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, 2001. In autumn, a strong wind blows flower seeds high in the air and carries them far across the land. One by one, many of the seeds are lost-burned by the sun, fallen into the ocean, eaten by a bird. But some survive the long winter and, come spring, sprout into plants, facing new dangers-trampled by playing children, picked as a gift for a friend. Soon only the tiniest seed remains, growing into a giant flower and, when autumn returns, sending its own seeds into the wind to start the process over again.
- Awesome Autumn by Bruce Goldstone, 2012. Autumn is awesome! Leaves change color. Animals fly south or get ready to hibernate. People harvest crops and dress up as scary creatures for Halloween. There are Thanksgiving foods to eat, leaf piles to jump in-so many amazing things happen as the air turns crisp and cool.
- Review How to Read a Story Book, under Resources in the Introduction.
Description of Activity
Hold up the book and say, in these words or your own:
Here’s how I am going to read the story. Does anyone need to move so that they can see and hear?
This will help the children get settled and move if they need to before the story is started, so they don’t interrupt the reading. It also serves as a reminder that if they stand or sit right in front of the pages, no one else can see. Invite them to find a place so that everyone can see. When all are ready, read the story. When you finish reading, ask if anyone has thoughts about the story that they would like to share.
Including All Participants
Seat any children who have hearing or sight difficulties near the reader.