The purpose of this reading is to bring everything together: the text, the vocabulary, and the illustrations. The discussion and activity options focus on analyzing the main idea, theme, character traits, setting and how all of the story elements fit together.
During this reading your child and you will read the story all the way through. Two ways that you can add fun and improve recall during this reading are:
~You may switch roles and become the listener and the questioner as your child “reads”(retells) the story to you.
~Your child and you may alternate the pages you read to each other.
DISCUSSION OPTIONS:
~What might have happened if the mouse hadn’t come along and tried to fit into the mitten?
~Could this story really happen? Why or why not?
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
~Go to www.janbrett.com. There you will find activities to accompany this book. For instance, print the animal masks and put on a The Mitten play.
~Another website with many school-like worksheets to use is: www.enchantedlearning.com. I’m sure your child will find several enjoyable activities.
~There are other books that are adaptations of the same folktale. Two interesting ones are: The Mitten by Alvin Tresselt and The Mitten by Jim Aylesworth. Compare and contrast these adaptations to Ms. Brett’s.
~I check Pinterest frequently to see what books people are talking about. Search:The Mitten. You’ll find many clever post-reading ideas for kids on cold winter days! We have also created an activity board you might enjoy: http://www.pinterest.com/practickle/activities-for-the-mitten-by-jan-brett/
~Look for Ukraine on a map or globe. Discuss why Ukraine has such snowy winters.