Autumn Leaf

Several years ago I did a program about different methods of storytelling. Being basically lazy, I didn't bother asking for permission to use material but instead wrote my own examples.  Recently I found the handout for this presentation. I posted the draw and tell example for Flannel Friday's "Shark Week." The following cut and tell example was written for the first presentation which was in October.

Glue two pieces of paper together and then fold lengthwise. The inside piece should be yellow, red, or  orange and the outside piece should be green. I have used both construction paper and colored copy paper. I usually trim the inside paper to make it slightly smaller than the green paper so that the color doesn't show when folded. Fold and then trace the pattern onto the outside paper. Remember to always keep the pattern side facing you so your audience can't see it. Sometimes I will write the rhyme next to the traced pattern so I don't have to memorize it. If it is a story, I just write some key words to help me remember. Always do this on the part that is cut away.

Autumn Leaf: Cut and Tell

By Linda Meuse

Notes from the Story Room

I start out green,

Often fragile and small.

(Cut from 1 to 2)

I grow through two seasons

On something tall.

(Cut from 2 to 3)

But there are changes

When the nights turn cool,

(Cut from 3 to 4)

That happen to me

When children return to school.

(Cut from 4 to 5)

I am a ....... (leaf)

On a growing tree.

(Open to show a green leaf)

Watch me turn color

One, two, three!

(Turn it to the other side to show the autumn leaf)

Inside paper glued to green paper

 

Pattern

 

Trace pattern onto green paper

 

Cut leaf & show green side

 

On last line turn to other side

 

 

The photo of the pattern can be found here.

 





This week's Flannel Friday Round-Up is hosted by Kelly of Ms. Kelly at the Library.

Who Is Watching?

"Who Is Watching?: A Cut-and-Tell Story"

Linda Meuse

March 21, 2014

Notes from the Story Room

Sam was in his backyard waiting for his friend Jerry to come over to play. He was swinging on his playset, going up and down. (Cut from 1 to 2). Suddenly he stopped and looked around. He was sure he was being watched but could not see anyone. He took one more swing up and down but stopped again. (Cut from 2 to 3.) He still felt like someone was watching him. Sam decided to climb his slide. (Cut from 3 to 4.) He quickly slid down and almost landed on Jerry who had just arrived! (Cut from 4 to 5.) "Am I glad you're here!" said Sam. "I feel like someone is watching but I've looked all around and no one is here." Jerry looked around and said, "Maybe they're hiding. Let's search the yard." Sam and Jerry looked under the bushes but no one was there. (Cut A.) They looked behind the maple tree but no one was there. (Cut B.) They even looked into the trash cans but no one was there. (Cut C.)

Then Jerry looked up into the maple tree. "I know who's watching you!" said Jerry. Do you?

Notes: After cutting out the owl, push out the beak (A). You can also add eyes and feathers if you wish. Us a hole punch to make eyes after you are finished cutting but before you unfold the owl. In addition you can make a "branch" for the owl to perch on. Just slide the owl on with its feet in front and tail in back (made from cuts C and D). See photo below.

 

Template*

 

 

I usually make a pattern to trace.  I cut construction paper to 8.5 inches by 11 inches.

 

Pattern ready to cut.

 

 

Hold the pattern sidewise while cutting.

 

Owl with optional "branch."

 

Owl on "branch."

 

 

*For now you can copy and paste the photo. I plan to add a scan of the template soon.

This week's Flannel Friday Round-Up is hosted by Katie of Story Time Secrets. More information can be found on Flannel Friday's home page. 

Gingerbread Man

For this year's Flannel Friday Holiday Round-Up I have a cut and tell guessing activity. The resulting gingerbread man can either be "decorated" or kept plain. It can be a stand alone activity or be used before telling the folktale. The clues are general so that it is not limited to holiday time.

Gingerbread Man Cut and Tell Clues

Linda Meuse

Notes from the Story Room
 

I am sweet and spicy at the same time. (Cut from 1 to 2)

I can be fancy or plain. (Cut from 2 to 3)

I smell so good when I'm fresh from the oven. (Cut from 3 to 4)

There's a famous story all about me. (Cut from 4 to 5)

In the story I run very fast, calling, "Catch me if you can!" (Cut from 5 to 6)

For I am: THE GINGERBREAD MAN! (Open folded paper)
 

Preparation: After looking at various gingerbread man images, I drew my template in a shape that I liked. I made one on plain paper for reference and cut out another to use to trace onto the paper. I then traced the outline of the figure onto folded brown paper with the numbers next to it. You will be holding the blank side toward the audience. The paper I used is cheap construction paper. Because it is cheap, it is thin. I used crayons to "decorate" the figure on the inside because crayons won't show through. If you decide to decorate the figure before cutting it out, pay attention to how the figure is positioned. It has to be the same both inside and out. Decorating can also be done after the figure is cut out with the children making suggestions. I would just add eyes and a mouth if I were using it as an introduction to telling the folktale.

Template

Pattern





 

Inside view of "decorations" before cutting

 

Ready to cut

 

This week's Flannel Friday Holiday Round-Up is hosted by Mollie of What Happens in Storytime.





The Fisherman and His Wife - Cut and Tell Story

This is part of a series of posts about Telling One Story Five Ways. It is also my Flannel Friday contribution for this week.

A cut and tell story will capture an audience's attention. Children want to see what you are cutting out and often try to guess. It is also great to take "on the road" since a piece of paper and a pair of scissors is all you need. All the preparation is done ahead of time. The storyteller just has to be careful that the audience does not see that part or the "magic" will be spoiled.

This cut and tell version of The Fisherman and His Wife is fairly easy to do. Years ago I told a more complicated version. I think it can be found in Paper Stories by Jean Stangl. I told it probably 15 years ago and I no longer have access to the book so I'm hoping I have the correct title. In this version, the storyteller is cutting out a crown. Use gold or yellow 8.5" x 11" paper. It can be easily crumpled at the end of the story. Fold the paper in half from top to bottom. Place the left side of the pattern along the fold and trace the pattern onto the paper with a pencil.

The Fisherman and His Wife - A Cut and Tell Story

by Linda Meuse

Notes from the Story Room

Long ago there was a fisherman who lived with his wife in a tiny shack by the sea. They had nothing but tfisherman was content.

One day the fisherman caught a most unusual fish. (Cut out A - the fish) The fish could talk! It asked the fisherman to set him free. The fisherman set him free and went home to tell his wife about his strange experience. "You should have made the fish grant you a wish since you spared his life," said the wife. "Go back and tell him that I want to live in a nice house." The fisherman went back to the sea. (Cut from 1 to 2) He called, "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish." The fish rose out of the waves (Show fish) and asked, "What does she want?" "My wife wants to live in a nice house," answered the fisherman. "Her wish is granted," said the fish diving back into the sea. The fisherman returned home (Cut from 2 to 3) to find a nice house where the shack had been.

Alas, the wife was not content. She wanted more. "Go to the fish and tell him I want to live in a fine mansion," said the wife. The fisherman returned to the sea (Cut from 3 to 4) and called the fish. "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish," said the fisherman. Again the fish rose above the waves (Show fish) and asked, "What does she want?" The fisherman answered, "My wife wants to live in a fine mansion." "Her wish is granted," replied the fish as he went back into the sea. The fisherman returned home (Cut from 4 to 5) to find a fine mansion where the house had been.

Still the wife was not content. She told her husband, "Go tell the fish that I want to become king and live in a castle." Again the fisherman went to the sea (Cut from 5 to 6) and called to the fish, "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish." Again the fish appeared (Show fish) and asked, "What does she want?" "She wants to be king and live in a castle," said the fisherman. "Her wish is granted," said the fish as he leaped back into the sea. The fisherman returned home (Cut from 6 to 7) to find a castle where the mansion had been. (Cut B removing excess) His wife was wearing a crown. (Show B holding ends together to make a small crown)

Yet the wife was not content. "This crown is too small and too plain. I want one with a large gem in the middle. Also, I want to be emperor and live in a magnificent palace. Go back and tell the fish." The fisherman returned to the sea (Cut from 7 to 8) and called, "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish." The fish appeared (Show fish) and asked, "What does she want?" The fisherman replied, "She wants a bigger crown with a gem in the middle. She wants to be emperor and live in a magnificent palace." "Her wish is granted," said the fish going back into the sea. The fisherman returned home (Cut from 8 to 9) to find a magnificent palace where the castle had been. His wife was wearing an even bigger crown. (Open paper to show the crown)

Even with all that the wife was not content. "I want to rule all of the stars and all of the planets. I want to rule the universe! Go tell the fish," said the wife. Sadly the fisherman returned to the sea and called, "Oh wondrous fish, my wife has a wish." The fish came up out the sea (Show fish) and asked, "What does she want?" The fisherman answered, "She wants to be ruler of the universe." "That she cannot do," said the fish. "She has asked for too much. She will have to be content with nothing." The fish dove back into the sea never to be seen again. The fisherman returned home to find the shack back where the palace had been. Indeed the fisherman and his wife were back where they had started - with nothing. (Crumple crown and toss)

 

Pattern



I outline my pattern in black marker. I then place it under the paper I am using. The maker shows through the paper making it easy to trace the pattern. The photo below shows this. If I were using heavier paper, I would cut out the pattern, place it on the paper and trace around it.

Below are the final pieces. I taped the small crown to show how I would hold it to show the audience.

This week's Flannel Friday Round-Up is hosted by Amanda of the Trails & Tales blog.

Winter Fun with Friends

This cut and tell story is easy to guess. To make it a little less easy, it is cut upside down.

Winter Fun with Friends

A Cut and Tell Story by Linda Meuse

Note: The snowman is cut upside down to make it a bit more difficult to guess. Fold plain white paper in half lengthwise. Lightly trace the cutting pattern on one side. Heavier paper is recommended if you plan to do the optional drawing activity.

It was a sunny day even though there was snow on the ground. Chip had an idea but he needed friends to help. He put on his jacket, hat and gloves and went around the corner to his friend Ron’s house. (Cut from 1 to 2). One friend was not enough so Chip and Ron went to Sarah’s house (Cut from 2 to 3). Sarah joined them but they needed more friends so they went down the street to Alice’s house (Cut from 3 to 4). Alice came along with them to Tim’s house (Cut from 4 to 5). Tim and the others then walked down the block and around the corner to Joe’s house (Cut from 5 to 6). Joe had a very big front yard with lots of snow which was perfect for Chip’s idea. The six friends spent the afternoon rolling, pushing and lifting (Cut from 6 to 7). Everyone worked together and finally they were finished (Cut from 7 to 8). “Thanks everyone,” said Chip. “We have probably made the biggest one in town!” Indeed, it was the biggest one in town. Can you guess what the six friends had built? (Turn the snowman right side up.)

Optional drawing activity: Tell the children that this snowman is too plain. Ask them what he needs and draw the items (eyes, nose, buttons, etc.) as they are suggested. Color in the hat and stick arms to complete the snowman.

Cutting Pattern

Optional Finished Snowman

This week's Flannel Friday Round-Up is hosted by Katie of Story Time Secrets. Complete information about Flannel Friday can be found here.

The Mess Monster: Cut and Tell

"Monsters!" is the theme of next month's Family Story Time so I am in the process of gathering and creating storytelling activities that feature monsters. For this cut and tell story I first drew a symmetrical monster figure and then wrote a story to go with it.

The Mess Monster

Linda A. Meuse

(Notes from the Story Room)

Joe's mom came downstairs, turned off the TV and said, "Joe, go upstairs and clean your room. It is a mess!" "Aw, mom," replied Joe, "can't I do it later?" "No," she said, "Do it now."

With a sigh Joe went upstairs to clean his room. He didn't think it was messy for he knew where everything was. As he entered he had to go around a pile of dirty clothes and step over toys on the floor. (Cut from 1 to 2) "Well, maybe it could use a little cleaning up after all," thought Joe. He went back and forth across his room picking up toys and clothes as he went along. (Cut from 2 to 3) He was pulling some dirty socks from under the bed (Cut from 3 to 4) when he heard a noise. He thought it came from his pile of dirty underwear so he went across the room to investigate but he couldn't find anything when he got there. (Cut from 4 to 5) He picked up the pile of underwear and headed over to the hamper. As he dumped his underwear in, he heard the noise again near his toy box. He picked up the rest of his toys walking around the room. (Cut from 5 to 6). As he put his toys in the box he saw it. Joe reached down and grabbed it. "Gotcha!" shouted Joe as he picked up the little creature. "Why you're no bigger than a piece of paper!" (Cut out 7) said Joe, "What are you?" "My name is Sibley," it replied, "I am a mess monster. I hide in messy rooms and nibble on toys. No one ever notices me because the room is such a mess. Please put me down. I would like to go now that everything has been put away." Joe put Sibley down and the little monster ran quickly out of his room.

From then on, Joe always kept his room neat and clean. Well, maybe not always. Well, maybe sometimes. If any of his toys looked like something had been chewing on it, then Joe knew that it was time to clean his room.

Sibley - The Mess Monster

 I added sticker eyes. You can also make eyes by drawing them or using a hole punch.

This is the template with cutting sequence that I made.

The story with the photos is also available as a Google document here.

Library Quine is this week's Flannel Friday host. The roundup can be found at Loons and Quines at Librarytime.

All things Flannel Friday can be found here.

The Bat: Cut and Tell

Following the owl draw and tell story, I have come up with a bat cut and tell rhyme for this summer's family story time featuring nocturnal animals.  Although I made up a rhyme, I might also just state the facts about bats.  It shall be interesting to see how quickly the children guess because, as I cut it out, I'm actually turning it upside down.

I am a creature of the night,  (Cut from 1 to 2)

Waiting until dark before I take flight.  (Cut from 2 to 3)

I eat mostly bugs but also fruit (Cut from 3 to 4) or the nectar 
     of flowers just like the bees (Cut from 4 to 5)
I live in caves but also burrows, flowers or leaves. 
     (Cut from 5 to 6)

What am I?

Below is a photo of the pattern along with the cutting sequence.  I have also scanned the pattern and put it up as a Google document here.  I simply traced the outline of a bat from clip art.  If you make your own template, always put it on the fold.  You are only tracing half of the bat.

Pattern

Normally I just place a piece of copy paper over the pattern and trace over the black lines.  Since I am using construction paper and textured paper this time, I had to make a template.

Template



Since I am just doing this for a single program, I purchased some craft paper to cut.  (This was suggested in the comments for this post.  Thanks Kristine.)  If I were to do this several times, I would just use black, gray or brown construction paper.  I also added some sticker eyes.  If you do, make sure to place them carefully.  It's a bit tricky placing them correctly on the inside of the folded paper because the cutting lines are on the outside.  Another much easier way to add eyes is to punch a hole in the folded paper.  The hole can be made beforehand. 

Pattern has been traced onto black construction paper.

(I used white paint so it would show in the photo.)

The back of the textured paper was white so it was easy to trace the pattern.

Below are photos of the cut out bats showing the fancy and plain versions.

Plain

Fancy

I am hosting this week's Flannel Friday Round-Up here.  Complete Flannel Friday information can be found here.

Squirrel Gives Her Heart

Story:

Squirrel Gives Her Heart

Squirrel was very busy. She was making the biggest and best Valentine heart she had ever made. It was almost as big as she was. She was so excited and could hardly wait to give it to her friend.

Finally she was finished. She had made the most beautiful big and sparkly Valentine she had ever seen. Now she was ready to give it to a friend. But squirrel had lots of friends and didn’t know which one to choose. The big heart would be perfect for deer who was her biggest friend. But then she thought about her other friends whom she also liked very much. Raccoon would certainly enjoy having a sparkly heart. So would her friend chipmunk. She should also give one to her friend bird and she couldn’t leave out her smallest friend mouse. Squirrel was worried. She didn’t have enough paper to make everyone a Valentine. Yet she didn’t want to leave anyone out. What should she do?

Squirrel thought and thought. Suddenly she knew what she could do so that everyone could have a sparkly heart just the right size for them. Can you guess?
 
Squirrel cut up her sparkly heart. She took her scissors, folded the heart in half and carefully cut around the edge to make a big open heart for deer. Then she cut some more to make an open heart for raccoon. She made a medium-sized one for chipmunk and a slightly smaller one for bird. All that was left was a teeny-tiny solid heart which was just the right size for her smallest friend mouse.
 
Squirrel was very happy and so were her friends when she presented each of them with their own special Valentine’s Day heart.


Notes:  This story can be told as either a paper cutting story or as a board story.  The basic concept of cutting concentric hearts was inspired by a paper cutting story from Paper Stories by Jean Stangl. 
 
Paper - For plain paper cutting delete the adjective sparkly from the story.  For more ambitious paper cutting use glitter glue over the area to be cut out to make it sparkly.  Just make sure the area inside the heart is completely covered and that it is completely dry before folding the paper in half (so it won’t stick together). Be sure to do this well ahead of time for it takes some time for the glue to dry, particularly if you get carried away like I did.  (I put the paper on a towel and used a hair dryer so I could have my sample for Flannel Friday rather than Flannel Saturday.)   You can also use a metallic marker to give your heart sparkle.  I used both for the sample.  The paper can be any paper that can easily be cut when folded in half such as copy paper. My sample is made from thin construction paper.  Fold the paper in half (sparkles on the inside and fold on the left side) and draw half a large heart onto this side.  (Make sure this is done on the fold edge so that when you open it up you have a complete heart.)  Draw the the four smaller (half) hearts inside it.  These will be your guidelines for cutting out the hearts.  You can make templates to trace around if you wish.  I made my pattern using Microsoft Publisher.  Cut out the large heart and open it up to show the big heart squirrel made.  (If you wish, you can cut the large heart out ahead of time.)  Refold it to cut out the additional hearts. You should end up with four open hearts and one small solid heart.  Open each heart up to show which heart squirrel gave to each animal.


Board - If you tell this as a board story you will be making hearts that fit inside each other.  I use paper to make magnet board figures which is easy to cut.  Cutting the hearts from felt will be more difficult due to the thickness of the material so I recommend sharp scissors.  (The hearts can also be drawn on craft weight interfacing which is easy to cut and sticks to a feltboard.)  With felt you can decorate the edges with puffy paint as well making the pieces sparkly with glitter glue.  You also have the option of adding the animals mentioned in the story to the board.  The story would work with a very large heart alone which would probably be easier to make than a smaller one.  The other option would be to make a smaller heart with pieces that can be placed next to each animal.  Heart templates can be made with a simple drawing program.  Use clip art for the animals or use animals from other sets that you might have.  You can substitute whatever animals you have for squirrel's friends.

 
Examples:
 

Template using Microsoft Publisher

 Use black marker on half of the heart so it will show through the copy paper for tracing the pattern.

I cut the template so I could trace it onto construction paper. 

I would use this for board pieces as well.

I used this to show where to cover the inside with "sparkle."

The inside with sparkle.

The large heart cut out.

All of the hearts cut out.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

This week's Flannel Friday Roundup (Mushy Gushy Valentine's Day Extravaganza) is hosted by Anna of Future Librarian Superhero.  Past and future roundups are listed here and our Pinterest boards are here.