Activities & Lessons

Grades 1–2 Daily Reading Activities: Stories and Tales

5 Min Read
Grades1 2 Reading

Welcome to Stories and Tales. We'll provide five days of reading lessons designed to engage your child in an exploration of traditional tales. Check back every day for the new day's lesson.

Day 1 Activity

Let’s Watch: The Mouse and the Lion

Watch the video The Mouse and the Lion to learn more about storytelling.

Discuss the Video

What lessons do you think these characters learn? How would this story change if Lion told it?

Let’s Read: The Princess and the Pea

The Prince wants to marry a princess. But he can't find a real princess! One stormy night, someone rings the bell at the palace gate. Could this be a real princess?

Download The Princess and the Pea

Quiz

How much do you know about The Princess and the Pea? Take the quiz.

Then, check your answers to the quiz. How did you do?

Family Support

Use this learning guide to walk your child through the lesson. Explore additional Review & Extend activities together.


Day 2 Activity

Let’s Learn About Fairy Tales

Look at this chart about fairy tales. What makes The Princess and the Pea a fairy tale? What is your favorite fairy tale?

Let’s Reread: The Princess and the Pea

The Prince wants to marry a princess. But he can't find a real princess! One stormy night, someone rings the bell at the palace gate. Could this be a real princess?

Download The Princess and the Pea

Take It Further

Choose an activity to extend the fun.

Project: Draw the Inside of the Palace

  • Imagine the palace where this story takes place. Draw the outline of the palace on a large sheet of paper. Then draw the rooms inside the outline.
  • Include the dining room, the living room with the fireplace, and the bedroom for the princess. Add details.
  • Share your drawing.

Vocabulary & Language: Use Fairy Tale Phrases

  • Fairy tales often start with once upon a time and end with they lived happily ever after.
  • Write or dictate a short fairy tale using these phrases. Retell a story you know well, or create one of your own.
  • Share your stories.

Family Support

Use this learning guide to walk your child through the lesson. Explore additional Review & Extend activities together.


Day 3 Activity

Let’s Watch: The Tortoise and the Hare

Watch the video The Tortoise and the Hare, an animated video of the tale about a classic race.

Discuss the Video

How does Hare change from the beginning of the story to the end? If you could give advice to Tortoise about running the race, what would you say?

Let’s Read: Why the Leopard Has Spots

Leopard didn't always have spots. How do you think he got them?

Download Why the Leopard Has Spots

Quiz

How much do you know about Why the Leopard Has Spots? Take the quiz.

Then, check your answers to the quiz. How did you do?

Family Support

Use this learning guide to walk your child through the lesson. Explore additional Review & Extend activities together.


Day 4 Activity

Let’s Learn About Folktales

Look at this chart about folktales. What makes Why the Leopard Has Spots a folktale? Can you think of other folktales you have heard or read?

Let’s Reread: Why the Leopard Has Spots

Leopard didn't always have spots. How do you think he got them?

Download Why the Leopard Has Spots

Take It Further

Choose an activity to extend the fun.

Research Connection: Research Leopard Cubs

  • Search online or in nonfiction books to learn more about leopard cubs.
  • Write three facts you learn that you find interesting about these baby animals.
  • Print a picture to go with your research.
  • Share what you learned.

Response Writing: Write a Folktale

  • Think of another animal you can write a folktale about. Then decide what you would like your folktale to explain about the animal, such as why a tiger has stripes or why a dog barks.
  • Plan your folktale, including the characters and main events.
  • Write your folktale and draw a picture to go with it.
  • Share your folktale and picture.

Family Support

Use this learning guide to walk your child through the lesson. Explore additional Review & Extend activities together.


Day 5 Activity

Let's Review

This week you've read some traditional tales. Today, read a short play based on the tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Let’s Read: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

While the Three Bears are out for a walk, Goldilocks enters their house in search of a snack. What happens when the bears find her? You decide!

Download Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Take It Further

Extend the fun with an activity.

Activity Type: Make a Mural

Make a mural to show a scene from Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Family Support

Reader’s theater plays are fun to read aloud! Help children build oral reading skills by having them read Goldilocks and the Three Bears aloud with a partner or small group. If they made a mural, encourage them to use it as a backdrop for their performance.

Performance Options

  • Assign roles and read the play as a family.
  • Call or video call friends or family members and read the play as a small group.
  • Have your child read the play aloud to you. Challenge him or her to use different voices for each character.

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