Exploring Storytelling and Habitats

Students first explored The Mitten to help them understand how stories are structured. They encountered repeated vocabulary and clear sentence structures, sparking a wave of independent authorship. Many students then began crafting their own books, complete with labelled illustrations and narrative sequences, demonstrating both their confidence and creativity as they put pencil to paper. 

The text also encouraged the class to think about animal habitats, physical adaptations and how different creatures might seek shelter in winter, which became a launchpad for an Investigative Research (social studies and science) project. In Emma’s Garden, students explored natural structures like hollow tree trunks and small spaces under logs, and collaborated to build a quinzee, a traditional snow shelter. This challenge allowed them to apply their learning about effective shelters, while reinforcing their phonics lessons by exploring the “/qu/” sound in "quinzee."

Back inside, the learning came alive through dramatic play. Using a giant mitten cut-out and animal headbands, the class acted out the story, negotiating roles and revisiting concepts of space and community.

By weaving together reading, inquiry and outdoor exploration, SK students bridged imaginative vision with hands-on discovery. This interdisciplinary approach allowed them to answer their own questions, deepening their understanding of the principles that connect their stories to the natural world.