Gingerbread Man

The students have really enjoyed our study of the Gingerbread Man this week, even though they are already very familiar with the stories.  Because they are so familiar with them, we were able to go beyond just retelling the story and do some character studies.

First, we read a traditional retelling of the Gingerbread Man by Eric A. Kimmel.  We learned that good readers ask themselves questions before, during and after reading a story.   Together we asked and answered Who? What? Where? When? and Why? about the story.  Then we completed a character map for the Gingerbread Man.  When we read The Gingerbread Girl and The Gingerbread Cowboy and completed the same character maps for them, it was easier to compare these three characters systematically point by point.

Next week we will continue this theme by acting out the story, making gingerbread houses, and baking some gingerbread cookies.

CCSS English Language Arts, Reading Literature, Key Ideas and Details
I can name the characters, settings, and major events in a story.

CCSS English Language Arts, Reading Literature, Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
I can compare and contrast adventures and experiences of characters in familiar stories.