Tuesday, February 3, 2015

The Mitten

I just love the story, "The Mitten!"  It's always been a favorite of mine and the kids tend to love it every year.  Again this year, I did some fun activities with the book.  They included: comparing/contrasting, re-telling, sequencing, and adjectives.  The book lends itself to loads of skills!  Below is an outline of what I did last week with the book!

I started off by reading Jan Brett's version.  The kids loved seeing what animal would come next. Jan's illustrations are awesome!  Next, we sequenced the order that the animals went into the mitten on the pocket chart. I passed out the picture cards of the animals for the students to color.  I also gave them a brown lunch sack and THE MITTEN headers.






On the second day, we re-read Jan Brett's version {read aloud on You Tube} and cut out our animal pictures.  I paired the kids up and they re-told the stories using their picture cards and lunch sacks.  We also completed a graphic organizer {story map} together.




On the third day, I read The Mitten  by Alvin Tresselt.  I really like this version, too!  I believe this was the original version of the story...Anyhow, after reading, we did a Venn Diagram together comparing and contrasting the two stories.  Then, I put my kids into small groups of 3-4, ensuring that I had one strong reader in each group.  I let them complete their own version of the Venn Diagram.





On day four, I gave the kids a blank mitten cutout.  I modeled how they could illustrate it first.  I wrote words and symbols like "zig-zag, dotted, striped, etc..." on the board.  The kids decorated their mittens how they wanted.  We added cotton for the bottom.  Next, I modeled how to write about the mittens using lots of adjectives.  This was such a fun way to end our book study!  The kids had a great time decorating and writing!




To check out this little pack, click below!



Do you have a favorite winter read-aloud?  What is it?  Leave a comment below for a chance to win my The Mitten pack!  Winner announced tomorrow!




xo
Megan 

12 comments:

Debbie said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Just did the Venn diagram comparing those versions last week, BUT I didn't have those cute typed cards for the pocket chart. Could really use those for next year!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

This looks awesome! I really like the book Snowmen At Night.

Mrs. Davies said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

My favorite winter read aloud is "The Snowy Day"! A classic! :)
Thanks for the chance to win!!

~Wendy
sdwd727@gmail.com

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I would love to do this with my first graders. Your resources are fantastic!!!!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

My favorite winter read aloud has got to be The Mitten! I tried to think of something different, but I don't think I like any other winter book better than Jan Brett's The Mitten. I remember my mom reading it to me when I was young. Love the sequence of this mini unit and all the concepts you've included! Thanks for this giveaway!
Sbauer527@gmail.com

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

So cute! What a great idea! I love The Mitten, too, and all of Jan Brett's books!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Your kids are so engaged with this resource!! The Mitten, The Hat (which go hand in hand), and The Snowy Day are my favorite winter read alouds. Not only do the kids love these books, there are tons of fantastic things that you can teach with these books. I love the variety that's included in your resource pack.

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

My favorite winter read aloud is Snowmen At Night! I would love to win this great resource!

tinysmiles34@gmail.com

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I love to read The Mitten and The Hat! I would love to win this pack! lhuhne@optonline.net

Sherry said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

The original version is called рукавиця (The Mitten in Ukrainian) and is a folktale told for hundreds of years. It is possible that Alvin Tressault's version is the first one published here in North America. Take a look at the illustrations. Ukrainian folktales almost always have the animal characters dress in traditional costume.
One of my favourite winter read aloud stories is Eric Carle's Dream Snow.

sherrymatheson@gmail.com

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I like all Jan Brett's books, especially The Mitten. I also like Snowmen at Night.

Amy B said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Love this!! Jan Brett books are the best!!!

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