TEACHING ASSISTANCE FOR:
HILDA McGILDA, "THE WITCH WHO WAS TOO PRETTY"
Hilda McGilda, The Witch Who Was Too Pretty is a delightful new fairytale for all ages that teaches an important life lesson while asking the following questions:
1.) What is friendship?
2.) What is magic and what makes you magical?
3.) What is more important: being what you are supposed to be, or being who you really are?
Using zany rhyme, hilarious expressions and whimsical illustrations,
Hilda McGilda lends itself to improving language, writing, sequencing, art skills and even cooking in a fun, imaginative way.
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Sequencing skills
1.) Type the words from pages 14 in the book when Hilda McGilda "transforms" (that's a magical word for "changes") from a dumpy old witch into a pretty witch. Cut apart each line and give them to the students to glue back in order. They could then draw a picture to go along with the words and all the changes ("transformations") that happen to poor Hilda McGilda.
2.) Have the students predict what is going to happen next in the story based on the illustrations.
3.) Go through the book again with the students, but this time without using the words. Have the students tell the story by using the illustrations for help. Write down the story as the class "reads" it. How important are the illustrations in a picture storybook?
Daily Journal Writing
Monday - What makes you magical? (Teachers, be ready for anything here! SMILE)
Tuesday - If you could be any character in the story, who would you want to be and why?
Wednesday - Why do you think Hilda McGilda couldn't stand to be pretty for one minute longer?
Thursday - What is your favorite colorful (that's a magical word for "silly") Hilda McGilda expression?
Examples are:
"Gazooks!"
"Great balls of fire!"
"Jumping Jehoshaphat!"
"Hullabaloo!"
"Egads!"
"Divine!"
"Ghastly horrors!"
"Oh my stars!"
"What in the moon?"
"Crim-i-ny!"
Why do you think Hilda and her friends use them? Write your own colorful expression.
Remember: colorful means "silly," not swearing! Even witches know that swearing is a "no-no!"
Friday - Try to create your own fairytale using words that rhyme.
Comprehension
Look at the pictures in the storybook and be prepared to retell the story. What kind of emotions are being displayed by each character? Notice Spook's expressions. Connect events in the story to life. How would you feel if your entire life "transformed" overnight?
Story Map
Title:
Settings:
Characters:
Problem:
Solution:
1.) List five questions you would like to ask the characters. Be sure to include Spook! In fact, what makes Spook a character?
2.) What are the three tension building sections of the story? What is the turning point, or "climax" of the story?
3.) How do the characters in the story try to solve their problem?
4.) What is the conclusion of the story? Do you think it is the right conclusion? Why or why not?
After taking the story apart, have the students create a continuing adventure story for Hilda McGilda and her friends. What happens to Hilda McGilda next? Do she and Spook experience more adventures? What is special about Hilda McGilda's cave? What happened to Hilda McHilda to make her such an extraordinary witch before the beginning of the story?
Cooking With Hilda McGilda (Read to Perform a Task)
For an extra fun activity, have the class tell you what they think Bubbling Brew tastes like. Make a "safe" version of Bubbling Brew in your classroom:
Bubbling Brew for Mortals:
ice cubes
punch bowl
1 large bottle of 100% purple grape juice
1/2 bottle of 7-Up
wooden spoon
1 small bottle of club soda
ladle and cups
Step 1.) In a large punch bowl place ice.
Step 2.) Pour in all of the grape juice carefully so it doesn't splatter!
Step 3.) Slowly add in 1/2 of a large bottle of 7-Up
Step 4.) Stir, stir, stir.
Step 5.) Carefully pour in a small bottle of club soda. Watch the bubbles form!!!
Step 6.) Stir, stir, stir.
Step 7.) Ladle a small scoopful into a cup and sip.
Watch out for the bubbles! They'll tickle your nose!
Non-magical Cherries Jubilee:
small ice-cream bowl
ice-cream scoop
can opener
soup-size tablespoon
1 large carton of vanilla ice-cream
1 can of cherry pie filling
1 cannister of whipped cream
1 jar marachino cherries
teaspoon
Step 1.) Place 1 scoop of ice-cream in a bowl.
Step 2.) Carefully open the can of cherry pie-filling with the can-opener.
(Teacher may assist)
Step 3.) Spoon 1 or 2 tablespoonfuls of cherry pie filling over the ice-cream.
Step 4.) Shake the whipped cream can. Spray a dollop on the cherries.
Step 5.) Stick one marachino cherry on top and grab your spoon.
Yummy for the tummy!
TEACHING ASSISTANCE FOR:
MOLLY MARIE and THE AMAZING JIMMY
MOLLY MARIE and THE AMAZING JIMMY is a delightful new fairytale for all ages that teaches a very important life lesson while asking the following questions:
1.) What makes you brave?
2.) What does it mean to be "a big girl" or boy?
3.) Can you believe in something you've never seen before?
Using whimsical rhyme and charming illustrations, MOLLY MARIE and THE AMAZING JIMMY lends itself to improving language, writing, sequencing, art, and social skills.
Sequencing skills
1.) Type the words from Page 21 in the book when Molly Marie realizes her old binky can help her meet the leprechaun Jimmy. Cut apart each line and give them to the students to glue back in order. They could then draw a picture to go along with the words and how they envision Jimmy when he finds his present from Molly.
2.) Have the students predict what is going to happen next in the story based on the illustrations.
3.) Go through the book again with the students, but this time without using the words. Have the students tell the story by using the illustrations for help. Write down the story as the class "reads" it. How important are the illustrations in a picture storybook?
Daily Journal Writing:
Monday - What makes you a big kid? (Teachers, be ready for anything here! SMILE)
Tuesday - Which would you rather be: a person or a leprechaun? Why?
Wednesday - Why do you think Molly Marie missed her binky?
Thursday - Why do you think The Amazing Jimmy will always be friends?
Friday - Try to create your own fairytale using words that rhyme.
Comprehension:
Look at the pictures in the storybook and be prepared to retell the story. What kind of emotions are being displayed by each character? Notice their expressions. Connect events in the story to life. How would you feel if you were so little people might step on you?
Story Map:
Title:
Settings:
Characters:
Problem:
Solution:
1.) List five questions you would like to ask the characters.
2.) What are the three tension building sections of the story? What is the turning point, or "climax" of the story?
3.) How do the characters in the story try to solve their problem?
4.) What is the conclusion of the story? Do you think it is the right conclusion? Why or why not?
After taking the story apart, have the students create a continuing adventure story for MOLLY MARIE and THE AMAZING JIMMY. What happens to Molly and Jimmy next? Do they experience more adventures? What is special about Molly Marie's old binky? What happened to The Amazing Jimmy to make him such so amazing before the beginning of the story?
SOCIAL SKILLS:
A lot of planning and sharing occurs in MOLLY MARIE and THE AMAZING JIMMY.
1.) Mommy and Daddy have a special snack waiting for Molly when she comes home from preschool. Have the students plan a special snack to share in school.
2.) Daddy talks about how they will celebrate St. Patricks Day. Have the students share how they would celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
3.) Molly, with Mommy and Daddy's help, writes a letter and leaves a gift for Jimmy so he won't be afraid and so they might be friends. Have the students brainstorm how they might make new friends. Have the students write a letter to an imaginary friend.
Cooking With MOLLY MARIE and THE AMAZING JIMMY (Read to Perform a Task):
For an extra fun activity, have the class help you decorate St. Patrick's Day Treats!
Assemble:
2 packages of sugar cookies
1 can of vanilla frosting
3 drops of green food coloring
Small bags of gold foil chocolate candy coins
Plastic knives
Paper towels
Step 1: Carefully open the can of vanilla frosting
Step 2: Carefully squirt in 3 drops of green food coloring (Teacher may assist)
Step 3: Stir, stir, stir
Step 4: Carefully spread some green frosting on top of one sugar cookie.
Step 5: Carefully press another sugar cookie on top of the frosted cookie.
TO SERVE: Give each student 1 decorated cookie and 3 gold chocolate coins. Make sure the students unwrap the coins before eating the chocolate.
MAGICALLY GREAT YUMMY FOR THE TUMMY FUN!!
