The Gruffalo is a beloved and enchanting children’s book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. It is a staple in classrooms around the world. For that reason, teachers are always on the hunt for brand new The Gruafflo lesson plans to use!
Set in a magical forest, the story follows the adventures of a clever mouse who encounters a series of predators. To outwit them, the mouse invents a fearsome creature called the Gruffalo. However, little does the mouse know that the Gruffalo is more real than imagined!
This article will show just how easy (and worthwhile!) using the Gruafflo can be in the classroom. This sample lesson plan can be adapted to meet the needs of any class, and is sure to delight everyone in the room!
Objective: To enhance students’ literacy skills, including reading comprehension, vocabulary, and creative writing, using the popular children’s book “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson.
Grade Level: Kindergarten to Grade 2 (ages 5-8)
Materials Needed:
-
- The book “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson
- Story-related illustrations or visuals
- Whiteboard/Chalkboard and markers/chalk
- Construction paper and crayons/markers
- Gruffalo-themed worksheets (optional)
Gruafflo Lesson Plan:
Introduction (15 minutes):
- Begin by showing the cover of “The Gruffalo” to the students and ask if anyone has heard or read the story before. Encourage brief discussions or recall of any related experiences.
- Provide a brief introduction to the story, mentioning the characters and the adventure they go on. Explain that the Gruffalo is a creature with some interesting features that they will learn about in the story.
- Preview the new vocabulary words from the book, such as “Gruffalo,” “mouse,” “scrambled,” “terrible,” etc. Write these words on the board and discuss their meanings with the students.
Reading and Comprehension (25 minutes):
- Read “The Gruffalo” aloud to the class, emphasizing the expressions and voices for different characters. Pause occasionally to ask questions and engage the students in the story. For example:
- “What do you think the mouse will do next?”
- “Why do you think the Gruffalo is scared of the mouse?”
- After reading, conduct a brief comprehension discussion about the story. Ask questions to check their understanding, such as:
- “Who are the characters in the story?”
- “What tricks did the mouse play on the other animals?”
Vocabulary Activity (15 minutes):
- Introduce a vocabulary activity related to “The Gruffalo.” Provide each student with a list of the vocabulary words from the story and have them draw a picture of each word’s meaning on a piece of construction paper.
- Once the drawings are complete, have students present their illustrations to the class, explaining what each picture represents. This activity reinforces their understanding of the new words and promotes creativity.
Creative Writing (20 minutes):
- After the vocabulary activity, encourage students to create their own short story based on “The Gruffalo” theme. Remind them to include a main character, a problem, and a resolution in their story.
- Assist students as needed and allow them to share their stories with the class once they are finished. This activity promotes creative thinking, storytelling, and writing skills.
Conclusion (5 minutes):
- Gather the students and have a brief wrap-up discussion about the lesson. Ask them to share their favorite parts of “The Gruffalo” and what they learned from the story.
- Revisit the key vocabulary words written on the board and have students try to use them in sentences.
- Announce that in the next literacy lesson, they will explore another exciting story together.
Optional Extension Activities:
- Play a Gruffalo-themed word matching game, where students match words from the story to their corresponding pictures.
- Organize a dramatic play where students act out scenes from “The Gruffalo” using simple props and costumes.
- Encourage students to create their own Gruffalo-inspired art, such as drawings or collages of the mythical creature.
Read Next: Waiting At the Window Poem Summary & Lesson Plan
The Gruffalo Teaching Resources
