I love it when Hollywood takes a great kids’ book and makes it into a movie. Now don’t get me wrong; they don’t always make the movie the way I would like. But they usually get kids interested in the book. Anything that gets a child interested in reading is all right with me.

On September 18, a film adaptation of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett will appear onscreen. You and I know how much this book appeals to children. They get lost in the wonderful, magical land of Chewandswallow. I can’t wait to take my young nieces to see this movie! To help you make the most of kids’ enthusiasm for this story, I’ve gathered some of my favorite Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs activities and ideas and posted them here for you.

A Quick Check

Post the tall-tale traits shown. Then reread the story and explain that tall tales have common characteristics. Assign each small group one characteristic and lead the students to decide whether Grandpa’s story contains that characteristic. Provide time for groups to share their characteristic. As time allows, read aloud other tall tales. (Bookbag, April/May 2009)

The Plot Thickens

What a delectable tale cooked up by Grandpa! After an initial reading of the book, lead students to explore  the plot of Grandpa’s story. Give a copy of this page to each student and read the directions aloud. Further explain that a story’s plot consists of the beginning (introduces the setting, characters, and problem), rising action (series of events leading to the solution), climax (when the tension is at the highest and the problem is about to be solved), falling action (leads to the story’s ending), and resolution (conclusion of events of the story). Next, reread the book and challenge students to identify these elements in the tale Grandpa shares before completing the activity independently as directed. (Bookbag, April/May 2003)

Showered With Action

After reading the story, have each student cut out the umbrella canopy pattern and handle cards; then have him cut apart the handle cards. Have the child glue the canopy to the top of a 12″ x 18″ sheet of paper. Next, guide him to arrange the handle cards in order below the canopy. Reread the story and lead each student to confirm the placement of his cards before he glues them in place. (Bookbag, April/May 2009)

Still want more? Check out this page to help children distinguish fantasy from reality.  It’s from grades 2-3 Teacher’s Helper magazine, April/May 2005.

Hey, after your kids see the movie, why not try this? Draw a meatball-shaped Venn diagram on the board and have your students help you use it to compare and contrast the movie with the book. Now go get some popcorn and enjoy!

Hope

Congratulations to Linda S. of Rio Rancho, NM! She is the winner of a copy of the Social Skills for Little Learners book.

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