There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bell Activities

Okay, so picture this: You're teaching, right? And you want something fun for the holidays. Something that's not just another coloring sheet (though, let's be honest, those have their place!). Enter: "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bell!"

Seriously, have you read it? It's bonkers! In the best way. An old lady just... keeps swallowing things. A bell! Then bows, ribbons, gifts... It's a festive free-for-all!

So, what can you actually do with this book besides just reading it (which, BTW, is already a win)? Let's brainstorm some ideas!

Retelling & Sequencing Fun

First up: retelling. Because, let's face it, kids love to tell stories. And this one is just begging to be retold. Think about it:

• Picture Cards: Create cards with each item the old lady swallows. (Bell, bow, gifts, etc.). Then, have the kids put them in order. It's like a festive puzzle!
• Flannel Board Fun: Seriously, who doesn't love a flannel board? Cut out felt shapes of the swallowed items and let the kids recreate the story. So tactile!
• "Swallowing" Box: Get a box (a shoebox works great!), decorate it like the old lady, and cut a hole for her mouth. Have the kids feed the box the items as they retell the story. (Use small, safe items, of course! No actual swallowing allowed!). Safety first, people!

Isn't that a great way to teach sequencing skills in a really fun way? I think so!

Crafty Christmas Chaos

Next up: crafts! Because, hello, what's a holiday without a little glitter and glue? (Okay, maybe less glitter. My vacuum cleaner is still recovering from last year).

• Old Lady Ornament: Have the kids create an ornament of the old lady. Use construction paper, googly eyes (always a win!), and yarn for her hair. Bonus points for adding a tiny felt bell!
• Bell Shakers: Empty plastic eggs (the kind you get around Easter) + jingle bells + tape = instant musical instruments! Decorate them with festive colors and patterns. Who needs a real orchestra when you have this?
• Gift Box Creations: Use small cardboard boxes to create miniature gift boxes. Let the kids decorate them with wrapping paper scraps, ribbons, and bows. Then, have them stack them up like the old lady swallowed them!

See? Simple, fun, and (mostly) mess-free. (Okay, maybe a little mess. But manageable mess!).

Sensory Experiences

Okay, time to get those little hands involved! Sensory bins are always a hit, right? Let's make it festive!

• Holiday Sensory Bin: Fill a bin with cotton balls (snow!), jingle bells, ribbons, small gift boxes, and any other holiday-themed items you can find. Let the kids explore and recreate the story in the bin.
• "Swallowed" Item Sort: Use different colored bells, ribbons, and bows. Have the kids sort them by color or type. Sneaky learning alert!
• Playdough Fun: Use holiday-colored playdough to create the items the old lady swallowed. Can they make a bell? A gift box? A tiny old lady? The possibilities are endless! Plus, playdough is strangely therapeutic, right?

Sensory bins are great for engaging kids, and you can adapt them for so many things. What kind of sensory activities could you do based on the book?

Beyond the Book

Don't just stop with the book! Let's think outside the box (or the swallowed bell, maybe?).

• Dramatic Play: Set up a dramatic play area with props related to the story. Let the kids act out the story themselves! Who will be the old lady? Who will be the bell? Get ready for some serious improv!
• Field Trip (Virtual): Take a virtual field trip to a Christmas market or a holiday-themed museum. Connect it to the story by pointing out the items the old lady swallowed.
• Community Connection: Have the kids create cards or small gifts to donate to a local charity. Connect the act of giving to the story's theme of swallowing gifts. It's all about spreading the holiday cheer!

So, there you have it! A whole bunch of ideas for making "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bell" a super engaging and memorable learning experience. Now go forth and spread the holiday madness! (But maybe keep a vacuum cleaner handy, just in case...)