Our class is beginning a Language unit called SillyStories. In this unit, students have an opportunity
to enjoy the rich and hilarious vein in children’s literature that explores “the impossible”.
They read a variety of stories, including the classics “Green Cat” and “The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash”,
a fanciful poem by Dennis Lee called “Mrs. Murphy, and Mrs. Murphy’s Kids”,
and the new hit story, “Jeffrey and Sloth”.
As students read short stories, poems and comic strips they develop
*the reading strategy of making inferences
*the writing strategy of finding personal voice
*an understanding of the characteristics of silly stories
*the understanding of the conventions of comics
*the listening strategy of making inferences
Here are some ways you can support your child’s learning during this unit:
*Look for fun or silly things that happen in everyday life.
Talk to them about what makes them silly or funny.
*Invent some silly stories orally, perhaps beginning with an idea like
“What if your skating coach turned out to be a polar bear?”
*Read a humorous poem.
*Talk about how an impossible situation makes a tv show or movie you watch together
funny.
*Ask your child to retell some of the silly stories we are reading and inventing.
