T's Amazing Animal Adventure Story!

This fun and interactive lesson guides T through the process of creating their own animal story. T will dictate the story to an adult, illustrate their ideas, and then explore some of the letters from their story through tracing, fostering early literacy skills in a playful way.

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T's Amazing Animal Adventure Story!

Materials Needed:

  • Large paper or a small whiteboard
  • Washable markers or crayons (chunky ones are good for little hands)
  • Optional: Animal figurines or pictures to spark ideas
  • Optional: Pre-written letter tracing sheets (for letters from the story) or adult can write them on the spot

Let's Get Started! (Introduction - 5 minutes)

Hello T! Today, we're going on an amazing adventure by creating our very own story about an animal! It's going to be so much fun.

  1. Gather your paper, markers/crayons, and if you have some, your favorite animal toys or pictures.
  2. Adult: "T, think about an animal. Which animal do you want to tell a story about today? Maybe a fluffy bunny, a roaring lion, or a slippery fish?" (Use animal toys/pictures to help T choose if needed. Keep it light and exciting!)

Tell Me Your Story! (Story Dictation - 10 minutes)

Now that you've chosen your animal, it's time for you to be the storyteller, T! And I (the adult) will be your special scribe, writing down all your wonderful words.

  1. Adult: "Okay, T, I'm ready with my pen and paper! Tell me about your [Chosen Animal]. What happens in its story?"
  2. As T tells the story, the adult writes it down exactly as T says it. Use big, clear letters that T can see. Don't worry about perfect grammar; the goal is capturing T's voice and ideas.
  3. Adult: Encourage T with gentle prompts if they pause:
    • "And then what did the [animal] do?"
    • "Where did the [animal] go?"
    • "Did the [animal] meet anyone?"
    • "How did the [animal] feel?"
  4. Read parts of the story back to T as you write, so they can hear their words and see them being written. This helps them connect spoken and written language.
  5. Once T feels the story is complete, read the whole story aloud with enthusiasm! "Wow, T, what an incredible story you created!"

Let's Draw Your Story! (Illustration Time - 10-15 minutes)

Your story is so vivid, T! Now let's make it even more special by adding your drawings. You get to be the artist!

  1. Adult: "Here are the crayons/markers! Can you draw what happened in your story? You can draw your [Chosen Animal] and what it was doing."
  2. Provide space on the same paper near the words, or on a new sheet if that's easier.
  3. Let T draw freely. This is their interpretation. It doesn't need to be perfect or realistic. Encourage their efforts and talk about their drawings.
  4. Adult: "Tell me about your picture, T. What part of the story is this?"

Exploring Letters from Your Story! (Letter Tracing - 5-7 minutes)

Look at all these words that make up your amazing story, T! Words are made of special shapes called letters. Let's find some letters from your story and try tracing them!

  1. Adult: Look through T's story together. Pick 1 or 2 simple and significant letters. For example, the first letter of the animal's name, or a letter T might recognize (like the first letter of T's name if it appeared).
  2. Adult: "See this letter? This is the letter 'S' for 'Snake' (or the chosen animal/letter). It makes a 'sssss' sound. Let's try to make that shape!"
  3. On a separate part of the paper, or a new sheet, write the chosen letter very large. You can make it as a dotted line for tracing, or a light-colored solid line T can trace over.
  4. Adult: "First, let's trace it with our finger. Whee, around we go!" (Model tracing with your finger).
  5. Adult: "Now, would you like to try tracing it with a crayon/marker?"
  6. Gently guide T's hand if they need help, or let them try independently. Focus on the experience and effort, not on making a perfect letter. "Great job trying, T! You're exploring letters!"
  7. Repeat with another letter if T is still engaged. Keep this part short and playful.

Story Celebration! (Conclusion - 3-5 minutes)

T, you were an amazing storyteller, artist, and letter explorer today!

  1. Read T's story one last time, with lots of expression, pointing to the words and to T's beautiful illustrations.
  2. Praise T enthusiastically: "This is a wonderful story, T! I love how you [mention something specific T did, e.g., described the animal, drew the picture, tried tracing]."
  3. Adult: "Where should we display your amazing story and artwork so everyone can see it?" (Find a place to hang it up if possible).

Great job today, T! You're becoming such a fantastic storyteller!