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Gather the students together and share "If You Give a Pig a Pancake."
After talking about the story and looking carefully at the illustrations, ask for volunteers to retell the story. As the story unfolds print on chart paper each of the events. Read with the students and ask if that is the story in the right sequence (order).
Ask the students why they think it is important to tell or do things in the right order. As an example ask each child to take off one shoe. Now ask them to: 1) Put your foot in your shoe. 2) Fasten your shoe. 3) Stand up. Now repeat this action but mix up the order. e.g. 1) Fasten your shoe. 2) Stand up. 3) Put your foot in your shoe.
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Story Necklace
Now is a good time to introduce sequence activities for "If You Give a Pig a Pancake."
Review the story again and draw attention to the chart sentences in the correct order. Tell the children that they are going to make a story necklace. Provide each student with 6 - 8 pieces of light card approximately 2" X 3" (5cm X8cm). Use a paper punch and punch two holes in the top of each card. Ask students to make a picture and print a sentence (or word) for events in the story. When the pictures and writing are complete thread the cards (using the holes punched in the top of each card) onto a pipe cleaner in the correct order. Add enough yarn to each end so that the necklace can be loosely tied around the student's neck. N.B. Pipe cleaners work better than yarn as the cards will stay flat and not bunch up.
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Roll Out a Story
Provide students with long strips of paper approximately 30" X 4" (75cm X 10cm) - or with blank adding machine tape. Tell them that they are going to make a movie. Ask them to draw pictures in the correct sequence of 'If You Give a Pig a Pancake." For students who are able they should print a caption under each illustration. When the pictures and writing is complete add a toilet paper roll to each end and roll the story paper onto the roll at the beginning. Then each child can unroll their story from one tube to the other in "movie" style.
Orally presenting and reading stories is an exciting way for children to celebrate their writing. This roll-out-a-story design is fun to share as it relates to the making of movies. Everyone will have a good time. You might even serve popcorn while you "watch" the movies!
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Number Sequence
Ask the students to count the number of pages in the book. What is the last number? What number comes before that? What is the first number? What number comes after that? Choose a number. Tell what comes before it and what comes after it. Students readily recognize the importance of sequence in numbers.
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Have a pancake party to finish off the sequence activities for "If You Give a Pig a Pancake." Even if there are no cooking facilities an electric frying pan can be used - with careful supervision of course! Emphasize the importance of following the sequence of the recipe to make the pancakes.
Collect copies of "If You Give a..." books and encourage your students to read and reread them. They may wish to write a letter to the author or the illustrator to tell why they enjoyed their books.
Introduce students to the joy of books and incorporate learning activities - every day will be a great day in the classroom!
"If You Give a Pig a Pancake" - Sequencing Activities
This series of books is a great starting point for vocabulary activities, beginning sounds, exploring math concepts and looking at the chain reaction story format. Children love the silly nonsense portrayed in each book.
