GRUMPY MONKEY SPRING FEVER TODDLER BOOK UNIT

GRUMPY MONKEY SPRING FEVER

by Suzan & Max Lang

Unit Theme 

“Managing the ‘Wiggles’ and the ‘Grumbles’: Sensory Awareness and Emotional Honesty.” This unit focuses on the idea that spring isn’t just about flowers; it’s a high-energy season • • that can feel overwhelming. It teaches children that it is okay to be out of sync with the “spring fever” around theme.

I. Story and Vocabulary Focus

Book Information: Title, Author, and a summary of the story's theme (persistence). 

Comprehension Questions (8 main questions provided in the packet). 

Vocabulary/Coloring Pages (Trace and Color activities for key characters and emotions):

II. Literacy Skills (Tracing and Matching)

Trace the Lines Help Monkey find his friends Pencil control, pre-writing skills(2 pages). 

Trace the Alphabet (Pages for tracing letter formation A-Z).

Match the Shapes (Color-Cut-Glue activity).

Letter Focus/Matching:

J is for Jim 

N is for Norman 

F is for Frog

III. Math Skills (Numbers and Counting) 

Numbers 1-6 Count and write the number 

Trace Numbers 1-15.

Numbers 1-5 (Paste pictures under correct number activity). 

Numbers 6-10 (Paste pictures under correct numbers activity).

IV. Fine Motor and Sequencing

Scissor Practice Hand-eye coordination, cutting skills(2 pages).

Dot Dauber the Letter S 

Find the Letter S

Trace the snail & plant sprout 

Matching/Sequencing:

Matching-Color-Cut-Glue (2 pages).

"What comes next?" (Color-Cut-Paste activity, 2pages).

Circle and Color what is different Visual discrimination, observation skills(1 page). 

Puzzles (3 puzzles).

12 Puppet Sticks Story retelling, dramatic play, coloring(For retelling the story—color, cut out, and glue on sticks).

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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

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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

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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

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