“Helping” Storytime
Often with primary graders you can do a storytime about an abstract subject like “Helping,” instead of sticking with concrete subjects like bears, holidays, food, etc. Part of kindergarten and first grade is learning how to cooperate in a group, share, help out, etc. Try some of these “helpful” but nondidactic stories about helping others:
Bridwell, Norman. CLIFFORD AND THE BIG STORM. Children who saw the Florida hurricanes on the news recently can relate to this story, where Clifford the Big Red Dog saves grandma’s house from a bad storm.
Hughes, Shirley. ALFIE GIVES A HAND. At a friend’s birthday party, Alfie helps calm a little girl who is upset at the bratty behavior of the birthday boy.
Rau, Dana M. IN THE YARD. An African-American family share the yard work at their home.
Polacco, Patricia. CHICKEN SUNDAY. Three children work together to earn money to buy Miss Eula a hat to wear on Easter Sunday.
Waddell, Martin. YOU AND ME, LITTLE BEAR. Big Bear and Little Bear work together to gather wood, get water, and clean up the cave, so they will have time to play together when the chores are finished.
Wheeler, Lisa. OLD CRICKET. Old Cricket pretends to be feeling ill so he won’t have to help get the house ready for winter. The repeated phrases and sound effects make this a great read-aloud.
DiSalvo-Ryan, Dyanne. UNCLE WILLIE AND THE SOUP KITCHEN. A boy volunteers at a local soup kitchen alongside his uncle, who helps him learn empathy for those in need.