Fairy tales are stories with imaginary characters that usually have a teachable lesson. Read the story of The 3 Little Pigs to the children. Role play the story with the children to help them understand the morals/values embedded in the fairy tale.
The underlying value behind The 3 Little Pigs – those who work hard, plan well, and use materials and resources wisely, will often find success.
Role play or brainstorm ways that the children might be successful if they plan, listen, and work hard. Ask the children to build towers or pyramids from different materials: wood blocks, Styrofoam cups, cubes, etc. Which material(s) are sturdier than the others? Which tower falls down the easiest? Ask the children if they know WHY some of the building materials used are better than the others for building towers.
3 Little Pigs Fingerplay and PowerPoint
3 Little Pigs – to the tune “5 Little Ducks”
3 Little Pigs went out to play;
Out in the forest on one fine day;
The big, bad wolf came looking for a SNACK;
2 Little Pigs went running back.
2 little Pigs went out to play;
Out in the forest on one fine day;
The big, bad wolf came looking for a SNACK;
1 Little Pig went running back.
1 Little Pig went out to play;
Out in the forest on one fine day;
The big, bad wolf came looking for a SNACK;
No (0) Little Pigs went running back!
No Little Pigs went out to play;
None in the forest on that fine day;
The big, bad wolf came looking for his LUNCH!
There were no Little Pigs to MUNCH!
~Adaptations to traditional song by The Preschool Toolbox
3_Little_Pigs_Sequencing_Strips
Print one copy of the word/picture sequencing cards for each of your children. Laminate the cards for durability (or cover with clear contact paper). Read the cards to each of your children. Have the children place the cards in the correct sequence according to events in the story. For younger children, have them sequence a few of the strips (ex. Which house was built first, second, third?) Older children can work individually or in small groups to complete the activity. Extension: Have the children draw their own pictures for some of the sequencing strips or use collage materials to build the straw, stick, and brick houses.
Voice record the children re-telling the events of the story using the iTalk Recorder for the iPhone and iPad. Play it back for the children to hear. They will love to hear their own voices and it is a fun way to extend the story.
The 3 Little Pigs Number Path –3_Little_Pigs_Stamping
Print a copy of the file (linked above) for each of your children. Have the children stamp or write the numbers 1-10 in each of the circles. Follow along the path to reach the brick house.
Older children can write larger numbers 11-20 in the circles of the path.
For very young children, write the numbers 1-10 in the circles and have them trace the numbers. Call out the numbers in a small group activity to see if they can recognize basic numbers.