an element of surprise

After seeing the first ideas that the students  proposed for puppet plays I realized that even though they all understand the need to consider the audience the fourth graders probably have little knowledge of what pre-school or first graders might like to read or watch.

The next morning before lessons I have a flash thought to bring some picture books from these classrooms. I decide to see what can I get in a short time. Apologizing for the sudden request I ask the different teachers for some favorite books from their classrooms. The teachers gladly give me Pete the Cat, Gruffalo, Elephant and Piggie, and Clifford books. Favourite books are always close by.

When we gather to continue planning for the puppet plays I make a decision not to read all the books  fully to leave more time for writing. Some of the books are familiar to my kids. Some not. Reading even a bit already gives enough examples of what might help them with their writing, what to include - some humor, some patterns, some lessons, some every day situations.

In the afternoon the students have time for independent reading. I see one of the students holding her chapter book under her armpit, standing next to the table with the picture books I had borrowed, and flipping the pages of one of them.
I call her name, and remind her to read her book.
"I will," she says, "I am just looking for the element of surprise in this book."

She gave me the element of surprise for the day. She remembered what we had talked about when they wrote picture books last year, and now we were able to add this to the list of what is possible to include in the puppet play to entertain young audience.