The Wiener Dog Magnet

Author: Hayes Roberts Illustrator: Hayes Roberts Publisher: Magickeys.com Copyright: 2006 Synopsis: The Wiener Dog Magnet is a story about a young monkey

named Kiki Marie. Kiki Marie saves up all of her allowance and goes to the store to buy a magnet. She ends up buying a lot of wiener dog magnets. Kiki Marie goes on an adventure and sees an alligator struggling to swim in the river. Kiki Marie uses her magnets to save the alligator and gets an award from the alligator king.

GRADE LEVEL: K-2 MATERIALS: Story Drama: Paper plate masks, necklaces with characters on

it. Puppet Show: Stick puppets.

While this story isnt a work of literary genius, it is a great story to use for a story drama. There are lots of possibilities for different roles (Kiki Marie; Mother; Wiener Dog Magnet; various other magnets; Cash Register person; Wiener Dogs; 2 Alligators; Alligator King, and possibly the court). It is a good story to use to discuss how magnets work, as well as working together. A great game to play in conjunction with this story is Stick Together. It will help the children learn how to become magnets without getting injured. It is a good introduction to different types of animals (moving like animals, etc). Students can make masks to represent the characters.

INTERGRATION: Science, Art

A VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR AUTHOR: Eric Carle ILLUSTRATOR: Eric Carle PUBLISHER: Penguin Putnam COPYRIGHT: 1969 SYNOPSIS: A green baby caterpillar hatches from an egg, and from

birth he experiences a perpetual craving for food. He eats through fruits on five days, one piece on the first, two on the second, and so on up to five, then experiments with a wider variety of foods. Soon enough he overdoes it and nauseates himself. After recovering he spins a cocoon in which he remains for the following two weeks. Later, the caterpillar emerges as a bright, colorful butterfly with large, gorgeous, multi-colored wings.

Foods eaten: 1 apple; 2 pears; 3 plums; 4 strawberries; 5 oranges; 1 piece of chocolate cake; 1 ice cream cone; 1 pickle; 1 slice of Swiss cheese; 1 slice of salami, 1 lollipop, 1 piece of cherry pie; 1 sausage; 1 cupcake; 1 slice of watermelon; 1 green leaf

GRADE LEVEL: K-2 MATERIALS: Paper plate shields (representing the food and the

caterpillar [two sided, the other side with parts of a wing of a butterfly])

This is a fantastic story to use as a story drama. The teacher/leader can teach-in-role as the caterpillar, while students play the food that the caterpillar consumes. Once the food is consumed, they can join the caterpillar and become part of the caterpillar. When the caterpillar becomes a butterfly, the caterpillar becomes the body of the butterfly, while everybody else becomes part of the wings.

INTERGRATION: Art, Literature, Science

WHY MOSQUITOES BUZZ IN PEOPLES EARS

AUTHOR: Verna Aardema ILLUSTRATOR: Leo and Diane Dillon PUBLISHER: Dial Books (now Scholastic) COPYRIGHT: 1975 (Winner of the Caldecott Medal) SYNOPSIS: The story begins with the mosquito telling an iguana about

seeing a farmer dig a yam that was bigger than a mosquito, but the iguana regards it as a lie and decides to put sticks in his ears to prevent himself from hearing any else the mosquito has to say. This action causes a chain of negative events that affect many creatures throughout the animal kingdom, and ultimately ends in the death of a young owlet. The death causes the owl mother to go into mourning over the loss of her baby, and she is unable to wake the sun up in the morning so it will shine brightly. The King Lion finally discovers who is responsible for all this drama, and orders the mosquito to be punished. This makes the owl mother pleased, and she calls out to wake up the sun. The mosquito is never caught to receive his punishment, so now he buzzes in peoples ears to get rid of his guilt and see if anyone is still mad at him.

GRADE LEVEL: K-2 MATERIALS: Puppet show: puppets for the animals

Story Drama: masks, and medallions to represent animals and other characters.

This is a great story to work of physicalization of animals. Since it is a folk tale, there is the possibility to go into the tradition for the folk tales.

INTEGRATION: Cause and Effect; Literature (folk tales); Science

(animals)

THE GIRL WHO LOVED WILD HORSES Author: Paul Goble Illustrator: Paul Goble Publisher: Bradbury Books Copyright: 1978 (Winner of the Caldecott Medal) Synopsis: A Native American girl loves horses and spends all her

free time with them. When a storm hits, she and her horses are forced to flee and they end up lost, but a handsome stallion, the leader of the wild horses, welcomes her to live with them. Gradually the girl relinquishes her life with her people, and years later, turns into a beautiful mare herself.

Grade Level: 3-5 Materials: Puppet show: puppets for the animals

Story Drama: masks

Integration: Social Studies (Plains Indians), Language Arts

(vocabulary), Art, Science (Wild Horses)

THE RUNAWAY BUNNY

Author: Margaret Wise Brown Illustrator: Clement Hurd Publisher: Harper & Row Copyright: 1942 Synopsis: There once was a bunny who wanted to run away.

He tells his mother that he is going to run away, but the mother is clever and manipulates him to keep him to stay. When she says she will come after him, so begins a back and forth on a fantastical journey where, in the end, the Mother outsmarts the little bunny. The little bunny decides the stay.

Grade Level: K-2 Materials: Masks for the bunnies, imagination for everything

else! There are only two characters, so it takes some imagination to make this work as a story drama, however, I think that it is perfect for a story drama. The way the story goes, there are lots of scenarios that can be acted out with representational body movement and ensemble work. Also, there is a chance to go into the different careers. Great for early work on improvisation and/or pantomime. Integration: Social Studies (go into the different careers)

THE GROUCHY LADYBUG Author: Eric Carle Illustrator: Eric Carle Publisher: HarperCollins Copyright: 1977 Synopsis: Two ladybugs meet on a leaf in search of some aphids for

breakfast. The friendly ladybug is happy to share but the grouchy ladybug wants them all for herself. When the friendly ladybug accepts a challenge to fight for them, the grouchy ladybug backs off, stating, "Oh, you're not big enough for me to fight." She then goes off in search of something bigger to pick on. Throughout the day the grouchy ladybug approaches a series of insects and animals, each one bigger than the one before, looking for a fight. When each accepts her challenge, she backs off until she is tired, wet and hungry and decides to return to the original leaf. The grouchy ladybug is humbled and even thanks the friendly ladybug for sharing the aphids.

Grade Level: K-4 Materials: Story drama: masks for all different types of insects

(preferably paper mache in the style of the book); leaves Puppet show: shadow puppets This story has so many different characters and creatures, it is perfect for a story drama. The leader of the story drama could be the Grouchy ladybug.

Integration: Science (animals mentioned in the story); telling time; art (paper mache)

That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown Author: Cressida Cowell Illustrator: Neal Layton Publisher: Orchard Books Copyright: 2007 Synopsis: Emily receives a visit from the Queens footman, asking to

swap her beloved toy rabbit Stanley for a golden teddy bear, but she refuses. Over the next few weeks the army, the navy and the air force are all sent to make the same demand but are firmly turned away. Then the Queens Special Commandos steal Stanley while Emily is asleep. She marches furiously to the palace, to find the Queen in a state because Stanley (whom she has managed to dye pink) is miserable. Emily puts the golden teddy into the Queens arms and tells her that if she actually plays with him and has adventures he will become a real toy. This is what happens, and the Queen sends Emily a thank-you letter.

Grade Level: K-3 Materials: Hats for the characters (crown for the queen, bunny ears

for the bunny) This story works really well for story dramatization because it has lots of characters and locations. It is important to go over the physicalization of the characters (such as the military). There is also an opportunity for a teach-in-role as either Emily, or the Queen. Integration: Social Studies (royalty, military)

THE RECESS QUEEN Author: Alexis ONeill Illustrator: Laura Huilska-Beith Publisher: Scholastic Copyright: 2002 Synopsis: Mean Jean is the Recess Queen and she rules the

playground with an iron fist. No one dares to question her power until a new girl named Katie Sue comes to school. Not only is Katie Sue not intimidated by Mean Jean, she actually asks Mean Jean to jump rope with her. When the two girls become friends, the playground is once again safe for all.

Grade Level: K-3 Materials: You really do not need anything but kids with

imagination to tell this story.

This is a tricky story, but it is an important story for development and would work really well as a story drama. Since it is all about bullying, it is important to be thoughtful and aware of the ramifications. However, it is a good story to teach why bullying is bad.

Integration: Bullying, social skills.

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY Author: Judith Viorst

Illustrator: Ray Cruz

Publisher: Antheneum Books for Young Readers

Copyright: 1972

Synopsis: Alexander, a kid with an unruly crop of hair, gets out of bed to face a day that seems to grow increasingly worse with each passing minute. Indeed, on the very first page, Alexander wakes to hair full of gum, trips on his skateboard, and drops a sweater in a sink full of water. At breakfast, his brothers are having a far better day having found prizes in their breakfast cereal which makes Alexander feel worse. School offers him no respite from his horrible day: he gets reprimanded by a teacher, he gets demoted to third best friend, and at lunch, finds himself dessertless. Could the day get worse? After school, the dentist discovers a cavity, the elevator door closes on his foot, and at the shoe store, he has to buy plain white shoes (while both brothers get shoes with stripes!). Later, he gets lima beans for dinner and there's kissing on TV. Alexander can't wait for this day to end.

Grade Level: 2-5

Materials: Masks for alexanders emotions (happy/sad), and others emotions (Happy)

This story is very relatable for children so it will be very therapeutic for them to

work out their bad days during this story drama. While the story itself doesnt have that many different characters, it will still work really well for a story drama because you can double/triple/quadruple cast Alexander. There are also lot of other roles for the other people in his life: his brother, mother, father, teacher, friends, dentist, etc. It is a great story to use pantomime in.

Integration: Literature (Story), Art (masks)

HOW CAN YOU DANCE? AUTHOR: Rick Walton ILLUSTRATOR: Ana Lopez-Escriva PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnams Sons COPYRIGHT: 1988

SYNOPSIS: It's no secret kids love to dance, and the quirky kids and animals in this book find inspiration everywhere. How can you dance if you're lying on the floor? Dance like a snake as it slithers to explore. How can you dance when you're mad as a bee? Dance around, around, around-wildly. Each page also includes a second verse kids can chant as they jump out of their seats to dance. This energetic celebration of movement will encourage kids to boogie through any mood.

GRADE LEVEL: PreK-2 MATERIALS: Mask making materials (paper plates); Music for the

dancing

This is a fantastic story to get kids moving. It works really well in tandem with games exploring animal movement (such as Animal Action). While there are only two main characters, they dance like all kinds of different animals which could easily be all of the other kids in the class. Even if it is not used as a story drama, it has many useful movement activities for children to explore animal and scenarios.

INTEGRATION: Literature (reading), art (making masks), dance, science

(animals)

The Day the Crayons QUIT

Author: Drew Daywalt Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers Publisher: Philomel Copyright: 2013 Synopsis: Duncan is all set to color, but when he opens his crayon box he finds all

sorts of letters written to him by his crayons. And they are all letters of complaint! First, Red wants to complain about being overworked because of all of his work on apples and fire engines. He even works holidays like Christmas and Valentines Day! Other crayons like Beige are complaining about not being used enough. Then there is the feud between Orange and Yellow about how is the real color of the sun, since Duncan uses them both. Peach crayon is upset about having his wrapper peeled off leaving him naked and unable to come out of the crayon box. Purple scolds Duncan for coloring outside the lines and Pink complains about not being used except by Duncans little sister. Luckily, Duncan has a great solution to all of their complaints.

Grade Level: 3-6 Materials: Cone hats for each of the different crayons, letters for the crayons This story is absolutely hilarious and would be wonderful to do with children. It is a bit sassy, so it would work best for older children, but I think that it would work well. There are lots of different roles that could be in the story drama. There is also a possibility for an original story drama inspired by the story. Have students choose their own colors and write their version of grievances for the crayons (that is, if the kids are older).

Integration: Art (hats, color), language arts (have the kids write the crayons grievance letters); social studies (protests)

GIRAFFES CANT DANCE

Author: Giles Andreae Illustrator: Guy Parker-Rees Publisher: Scholastic, Inc. Copyright: 2001 Synopsis: Gerald the Giraffe is a charming happy gent who has one aspiration -- to

dance. The extra-tall giraffe is a bit wobbly in the knees, and his every attempt to boogie results with Gerald on the ground. It's time for the annual Jungle Dance, where all the creatures of the kingdom shake their respective tails. The lions dance the tango, and the chimps cha-cha-cha. As Gerald nears the dance circle, the animals snicker, "Hey, look at clumsy Gerald. Giraffes can't dance, you silly fool!" Sad and embarrassed, he retreats to his home. On the way, he bumps into a compassionate cricket who suggests that "Sometimes when you're different you just need a different song." So Gerald takes a new approach to dancing, as he listens to the wind in the trees and the swaying grass. And soon, with all the grace of a swan and the fancy moves of a pro, he dances for his jungle friends, who watch in astonishment.

Grade Level: K-3 Materials: Music to dance to, masks for the animals With waltzing warthogs and rock-and-roll rhinos, lions who tango, and cha-cha-cha chimps, this is a fantastic story to use for story drama. There are many different types of animals (and therefore characters) that can be used. The moral of the story is fantastic as well. You can have a teach-in-role as the cricket, or possibly, even the giraffe (if you dont want the kid to accidentally get their feelings hurt).

Integration: Science (animals); Music (styles of music and dance); movement

STELLALUNA

Author: Janell Cannon Illustrator: Janell Cannon Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Copyright: 1993 Synopsis: After Stellaluna and her mother are attacked by an owl, the tiny

fruit bat lands headfirst in a bird's nest. The mother bird allows Stellaluna to stay, as long as Stellaluna doesn't teach the bird babies bad tricks--like hanging upside down from the nest to sleep. Stellaluna wants to be as graceful as the baby birds, but she's graceful only when she's flying. A bat discovers Stellaluna, who's been separated from the birds, sleeping wrong end up. It calls other bats to see this strange little creature, and a very happy Stellaluna is reunited with her mother to learn proper bat behavior. When the birds visit Stellaluna's bat family, the little bat discovers that baby birds are as clumsy at being bats as Stellaluna was at

trying to be a bird. Grade Level: K-2 Materials: Story Drama: Hats for the animals Puppet Show: Marionettes for the bats and the birds

Stellaluna would be a great story to use as a marionette puppet show and to introduce students to marionettes. There are many different types of characters, however it would be necessary to have a lesson about bats before we start work on the story drama.

Integration: Science (bats, birds), Art (marionette puppets, hats)

Harry Allard

James Marshall

HMH Books for Young Readers

1977

The students in Miss Nelsons class, Room 207, were misbehaving again. No matter how nicely Miss Nelson asked they wont stop talking, they wont do their schoolwork, they were even rude during story hour! Sweet Miss Nelson knew something had to be done. The next day at school Miss Nelson did not arrive in Room 207. The students were ecstatic, until they heard an unpleasant voice hissing down the hall. The substitute teacher had arrived. Her name was Miss Viola Swamp and her mood was as ugly as her black dress. She put the kids right to work and they knew she meant business. They had stacks of homework and story hour was canceled. As the days passed the kids realized they missed Miss Nelson! They tried to find her. They even went to the police department and talked to Detective McSmogg, but Miss Nelson was nowhere to be found. When the kids spied on Miss Nelsons house, they were scared away when Miss Swamp came around the corner. There was nothing the kids in Room 207 could do. They might be stuck with Miss Swamp forever! But then one morning they hear a sweet voice ring out, Hello, children. Miss Nelson had returned! And she was happy to find her class had not only missed her, but were very well behaved too! As to the whereabouts of Miss Viola Swamp, well, thats Miss Nelsons secret and shell never tell.

2-4

Moustache for McSmogg; Mask/Wig for Swamp; Paper

This story seems like it was written to be performed. Perhaps that is why there are so many different stage adaptations of it. It will work wonderfully for a story drama because the students will be able to play versions of themselves. Miss Nelson/Viola Swamp can be a teacher-in-role, while the other adult roles can be played by other children. There is also an opportunity for students to write letters to their teachers, to show how they appreciate them! They can also explore what makes a good student and how to properly treat their teacher!

Literature (reading); Language Arts (letters); Social Studies (police)

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE Author: Maurice Sendak Illustrator: Maurice Sendak Publisher: Harper Trophy Copyright: 1963 (Winner of the Caldecott Medal) Synopsis: Max was very mischievous one night, so his mother sent him to bed

without supper. That night, his room became a forest by the ocean, so Max sailed away in a boat to where the wild thing lived. When Max got there, he wasnt afraid of the wild things, and he tamed them with a magic trick. Max was named King of the Wild Things. But after awhile, Max got bored and lonely for love, so he sailed back home. When he got there, his room was back to normal and his supper was hot and waiting for him on a tray.

Grade Level: K-3 Materials: story: paper plate masks Puppet show: puppets This story could work as a puppet show with each student making their own wild thing puppet. It could be used at storytime or literature. It would also incorporate art, speech, and cooperative learning. It is also a good story for a large group because the teacher/leader could teach-in-role as Max and all the children could be wild things. Students could make paper plate masks to play the story. IT is a good introductory story for improvisation and/or pantomime. Integration: art, literature