Multiple Days 1

 Creepy Carrots Makers

Suggested Level: Elementary K-3rd                  Suggested Time: October

Promotion: Begin promoting this book and makerspace during the first school day of October. You can create a display or banner and invite anyone coming into the library to color a creepy carrot to add to the display area. Have carrot cut-outs ready along with colors as patrons come into the library.

Purpose: Engage young learners with a run read-aloud and take a step further with a fun makerspace activity that ties to the book, Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds. 

                        Buy a copy of Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds here. 

Learning Objective:  Students will enjoy a read-aloud and use story elements to help Jasper the Rabbit create a new way to contain his creepy carrots. 

Materials Needed: 

• The picture book Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
• makerspace section with: paper, crayons, popsicle sticks, cardboard in various sizes, markers, pipe cleaners, or various materials that can be accessible for young children in makerspaces, 
• cardstock paper for a base
• glue
• cotton balls
• document camera and screen or smartboard
• paper 
• pencils
• carrot cut-outs

Instructional Process

Instructional Day 1: The school librarian will conduct a read-aloud of this fun and engaging picture book. To make it more interactive for the students, you could have them repeat the words "creepy carrots", along with a face or hand gesture to correspond, while you read the text. This is a fun read and students will enjoy being a part of the read-aloud.

• After the initial read, you can ask: What happened in the story? 
• What do you think is the most important part of the story?
• What is the main idea of the story?
• What was Jasper's mission? 

Hand out blank sheets of paper, where you can fill out a storyboard with the students. Your paper would be displayed from a document camera.

Closing for the day: Ask students to write down, on the storyboard, other ideas of what Jasper could have built to contain his "creepy carrots".

Instructional Day 2: Makerspace Day! Guide students to the maker designated area or tables. Remind them that they can use any, some, or all of the resources offered in the makerspace area. Place them with a partner or in groups of 3, and recall your storyboard from the previous day. Ask: What are some ideas you came up with that Jasper could have used to contain his creepy carrots?

Give the task: They are to work collaboratively to create something, other than a fence, that Jasper could have used to contain the creepy carrots. 

 

Actively monitor the students and offer guidance as needed.

Closing: Have students showcase what they came up with and have a gallery walk to see the many different ideas they were able to put together in the makerspace.