THE FLOWER THIEF TEACHER PUPPET STICKS

The Flower Thief 

by Alice Hemming

Story Retelling Puppets

TEACHER & CHARACTER SET

Unit Objectives: These puppets are designed for kinesthetic retelling andauditory recognition. By physically moving the characters the story is read, students develop narrative recall, language fluency, and social-emotional engagement.

Puppet Set Includes:

1.Easy Version: Character circles in black and white for students to color.

2.1 Teacher Example: A full color set to serve as a visual guide for the finished product.

Directions:

1.First: Color the character circles. Encourage students to use colors that match the characters found in the book to build visual association skills.

2.Second: Carefully cut out teacher characters. For younger toddlers, the teacher may want to pre-cut these to focus entirely on the retelling aspect.

3.Third: Apply a small amount of glue to the top of a large stick (popsicle stick) student, (paint stirrer) used for teacher sticks.

4.Fourth: Press the character circle onto the glue and let it dry completely before use. 

5.Teacher’s Idea: I highly recommend printing these puppets on card-stock. It is much sturdier for little hands and ensures the puppets will last through many story-time sessions!

Clipart by doodle art

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THE VERY CLEVER BEAR TEACHER PUPPET STICKS FREE

The Very Clever Bear 

by Nick Bland

Story Retelling Puppets

TEACHER & CHARACTER SET

Unit Objectives:

The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland is a classroom staple because it’s so much fun to read aloud with all the different animal voices. 

Puppet Set Includes:

1. Easy Version: Character circles in black and white for students to color. 

2. 1 Teacher Example: A full color set to serve as a visual guide for the finished product.

Directions:

1. First: Color the character circles. Encourage students to use colors that match the characters found in the book to buildvisual association skills. 

2. Second: Carefully cut out teacher character images. For younger toddlers, the teacher may want to pre-cut these to focus entirely on the retelling aspect.

3. Third: Apply a small amount of glue to the top of a large stick (popsicle stick) student, (paint stirrer) used for teacher sticks. 

4. Fourth: Press the character circle onto the glue and let it dry completely before use.

5. Teacher’s Idea: I highly recommend printing these puppets on card-stock. It is much sturdier for little hands and ensures the puppets will last through many story-time sessions!

I have also included a sheet where students find the fleas on bear, circle and color bear.

Clipart by doodle art

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https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/THE-VERY-CLEVER-BEAR-TEACHER-PUPPET-STICKS-15726747

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THE BAD SEED 2 PAGE CRAFT

The Bad Seed 

by Jory John Craft

This is a book about a bad seed. A baaaaaaaaaad seed. How bad? Do you really want to know? He has a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. He's been bad since he can remember! Amazon Book Review

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clipart by EduArtCreations

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/THE-BAD-SEED-2-PAGE-CRAFT-15726546

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A HOUSE FOR HERMIT CRAB PLAY DOUGH MATS

A House for Hermit Crab 

by Eric Carle

A House for Hermit Crab In this classic story from Eric Carle, Hermit Crab grows out of one house after another as he searches for the perfect home. Children who must change schools, move to a new town, or even graduate to a new grade in school will relate to Hermit Crab’s situation and take heart as they see that growing up isn’t really so scary after all.

Why Play dough Mats are a Classroom Must-Have

1. Fine Motor Strength (The “Pre-Writing” Muscle): Before a child can hold a pencil correctly, they need strong hand muscles. Squeezing, rolling “snakes,” and pinching dough builds the dexterity needed for writing. 

2. Sensory Regulation: For many children, the tactile feel of dough is calming. It provides a “sensory break” that helps them focus and lowers anxiety.

3. Language & Vocabulary: Mats encourage kids to talk about what they are making. (“I’m making a long tail for the tadpole!”) It’s a natural way to practice “positional words” like on top, under, and beside.

4. Math & Logic Skills: Mats allow children to practice counting (making “dots” for a ladybug) and shape recognition in a 3D way that sticks in their memory better than a flat worksheet.

General Directions for Using Mats 

• Prep for Longevity: Always laminate your mats or place them in heavy-duty plastic sheet protectors. This allows the dough to peel off easily and lets you wipe them clean for the next student.

• The “Snake & Ball” Technique: Teach students the two basic building blocks:

• The Snake: Rolling dough between palms to create lines (great for tracing letters or outlines).

• The Ball: Rolling dough in a circle (perfect for making “eggs” for a life cycle or “spots” for a ladybug).

• Open-Ended Prompts: Don’t just ask them to fill the lines. Ask, “Can you make a snack for the Very Hungry Bear?” or “Can you make a spacesuit for Mae?”

• Clean-Up Routine: Make “Dough Detectives” part of the job. Have kids use a large ball of dough to “stamp up” and tiny crumbs left on the mat before putting it away.

Teacher’s Logic

“Multi-Sensory Encoding: When a child sees a letter or a shape, that is one ‘pathway’ to the brain. When they build that shape with their hands, they are adding a second, physical pathway. Playdough mats turn abstract concepts (like the Life Cycle of a Frog) into a physical reality. It’s the perfect bridge between play and academic learning for Pre-K and Kindergarten minds.”

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Clipart by Creating4the Classroom

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-HOUSE-FOR-HERMIT-CRAB-PLAY-DOUGH-MATS-15717525

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THE FLOWER THIEF SEQUENCING THEME Patience and Growth

THE FLOWER THIEF

by ALICE HEMMING 

Sequencing

The Theme: “Letting Things Grow”

The theme is Patience and Growth. Squirrel loves the first flower of spring so much that he wants to protect it from everything (even the bees and the rain!), but he must learn that flowers need those things to grow and change.

Sequencing Strips

1 Easy Version: Pictures are in order and ready to be colored. 

2 Teacher Versions: Full-color examples to show the students the finished product.

Directions:

1. First: Color all the pictures on the sequencing strips.

2. Second: Cut out the strips and glue them together at tabs to make one long story.

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CLIPART doodle art

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/THE-FLOWER-THIEF-SEQUENCING-Theme-Patience-and-Growth-15717405

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BEAR SAYS THANKS SEQUENCING CRAFT

BEAR SAYS THANKS

SEQUENCING BOOK CRAFT

What better way for Bear to say thanks, than to have a big dinner with all his friends!

Bear has come up with the perfect way to say thanks—a nice big dinner! When Bear decides to throw a feast, his friends show up one by one with different platters of delicious food to share. There’s just one problem: Bear’s cupboards are bare! What is he to do? Amazon Book Review

Set of sequencing for the story 

1 Easy Version to color 

1 Harder Version to sequence 

1 Teachers Example

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CLIPART doodle art

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/BEAR-SAYS-THANKS-SEQUENCING-15708850

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THE VERY CRANKY BEAR TEACHER PUPPET STICKS Theme: Empathy

The Very Cranky Bear 

by Nick Bland

Story Retelling Puppets 

TEACHER & CHARACTER SET

Unit Objectives:

The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland is a classroom staple because it’s so much fun to read aloud with all the different animal voices. Puppet Set Includes:

1. Easy Version: Character circles in black and white for students

to color. 

2. 1 Teacher Example: A full color set to serve as a visual guide for the finished product.

Directions:

1. First: Color the character circles. Encourage students to use colors that match the characters found in the book to build

visual association skills. 

2. Second: Carefully cut out teacher character images. For younger toddlers, the teacher may want to pre-cut these to focus entirely on the retelling aspect.

3. Third: Apply a small amount of glue to the top of a large stick

(popsicle stick) student, (paint stirrer) used for teacher sticks. 

4. Fourth: Press the character circle onto the glue and let it dry completely before use.

5. Teacher’s Idea: I highly recommend printing these puppets on card-stock. It is much sturdier for little hands and ensures the puppets will last through many story-time sessions!

Be the first to know about my new discounts, freebies, and products: • Look for the blue star next to my store logo and click it to become a follower. 

Each time you give feedback, TPT gives you feedback credits to lower for the cost of your future purchases. THANK YOU

PINTEREST

CLIPART doodle art

Teacher’s Logic for the Unit

“Perspective Taking: This book is a great way to show kids that what makes us happy might not be what makes a friend happy. By focusing on the Sheep’s ‘thoughtfulness,’ we encourage students to ask their friends, ‘How can I help?’ instead of just guessing.”

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/THE-VERY-CRANKY-BEAR-TEACHER-PUPPET-STICKS-ThemeEmpathy-15708708

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