Title: The Magic Sky
Author: Lucy Richards
Publisher: Scholastic Publishing
Target age group: 4-5 years
Preparation - My story time will take place when we return from outdoor play, before dinner.
- I plan to read at the table, I've chosen carefully where I'll stand so that all the kids can see
the book.
- As we enter the room, I'll keep the lights off (and the curtains open, for softer mood
lighting).
- I read the book twice to familiarize myself with the story.
- I plan to enhance the educational quality of the book by naming the animals in the book
(arctic fox and hare, snowy owl), as well as different types of snow (hail, powder, sticky,
melting).
Trigger - I turn on my starry sky projector, give the kids time to react, point, and chat a bit.
Entry ritual - While they look at the stars, I hide the book behind my back as I do every time I am about
to read.
- I wait for the children to notice, then we recite the rhyme together: "Book, book, where
are you? Book, book, I saw you! (Children turn their heads from left to right as if trying to
find it, then point to the book) We sit quietly, backs straight, eyes forward! (The children
sit up straight and turn their faces towards me) Book, book, come out now! We're ready,
come on, hurry!"
Animated - Anticipatory questions:
reading o Where do you think my story takes place?
o What do you think the magic lights will look like?
- Comprehension questions:
o What were the lights in the sky called? (Aurora Borealis)
o If Mama Bear tells Theo that there are three more sleeps before he sees the
magic lights, how many sleeps will there be tomorrow? (Two)
- Opinion Questions:
o Do you find Theo to be patient?
o When you are looking forward to something, is it better to think about it all the
time, or is it better to have fun while you wait?
- Appreciation questions:
o What did you like about my book?
o How did you feel at the end when we finally saw the lights?
- When Theo the bear dives into the ocean, I take my little spray bottle and lightly spray
the kids with water.
Exit ritual - The story is well over, a beautiful moment has now passed! Book, book, it's up to us, to
say thank you for everything!" (The children blow kisses to the book and wave).
Conclusion - At the end of my story, I would like the children to remember that it is okay to have fun
and be busy, even when you are looking forward to something (for example, when you
can't wait for your parents to pick you up at daycare).
- I also hope they will retain the new vocabulary they have learned about arctic animals
and different types of snow.
- The next routine is dinner. I have grated some bar soap for the kids to wash with "snow",
and I ask them to follow me to demonstrate.
Forward - Free play:
learning o Exploration bin with water: Marine and Arctic animal figurines, I add a few ice
blocks (made from empty margarine containers) to simulate icebergs.
o Igloo building: With skewers (cut and filed) and white packing peanuts, children
can explore and try to make "ice" constructions.
- Song: Snow is Falling
o Snow is falling on my nose
Oh oh oh, my nose is freezing!
Rub, rub, rub my nose
To warm it up!
o Snow is falling on my hands
Oh oh oh, my hands are freezing!
Rub, rub, rub my hands
To warm them up!
- Directed activities:
o Northern Lights Craft: On black cardboard, with rectangular foam stamps, I offer
them white, blue, green, pink, and purple paint.
o Polar Yoga: A lively yoga activity where children do relaxation exercises and
mimic my movements, inspired by the events that took place in the story in
chronological order.