Fifth and fourth graders are exploring the swamp region of Louisiana with Liza Lou. Liza is a smart, sassy girl who outwits many creatures who want to gobble her up. In Stone Soup third graders are creating village families who do not want to share their food with some hungry soldiers who on their way home. After hiding their food in imaginary homes they built they have to make the decision of whether or not to share their food. Eventually the soldiers end up tricking the families into helping them make stone soup.
Second graders help Sam come up with ways to trick the tigers from not eating him in Sam and the Tigers.
How does a young girl save herself from the witch Bony Legs using a mirror and a comb with the help of a cat and dog? The first graders are very excited to answer this question by playing all these characters in the classic chapter book by Joanna Cole. Playing The Three Billy Goats Gruff helps the kindergartners work with their bodies to create the different sizes of the goats as well as the nasty troll. We also make up alternate endings to the story and ask ourselves, "What could have made the troll so mean?" and "Is there anything else the goats could say or do to get across the bridge without hurting the troll?" The chorus makes the story easy to remember as the children love to act out the story with puppets in small groups as well.