This is always my favorite unit to teach each year to Kindergarten. I usually do it somewhere in the middle of the year, after all of the Book Care and Library Orientation lessons.
In this unit, we read all three Knuffle Bunny books and do an activity with each book. Don’t assume that your students have already read and know Knuffle Bunny. While Elephant and Piggie is still popular in the classroom, I am finding that a lot of students have not read Knuffle Bunny, and almost none have read the second and third books. The kids LOVE these books and are completely engaged in the unit.
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
After reading, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems, students create their own washing machines. I have seen this on Pinterest, but I did create my own washing machine handouts for the students to use. I also encourage students to draw and add their own clothing to the washing machine. I usually give them a Knuffle Bunny to color and put in the washing machine as well, but you can also have them draw their favorite toy or stuffed animal and put it in the washing machine. This would allow that self to text connection. You can download my washing machine handouts below!
Materials:
Washing Machine Handout
Clothes Handout
Paper Plate (I cut these in advance)
Glue
Scissors
Crayons
Knuffle Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity
For the second lesson in the unit, we read or watch Knuffle Bunny Too. I found a great Knuffle Bunny Too movie this year that I downloaded on HOOPLA from my public library. It is really well done. Trixie and her dad start off the movie sitting together and the father narrates the story. The students really enjoyed watching the animated version. After the story, the students are able to create a Mo Willems’ style illustration.
Before the lesson, I go around the school taking pictures. I always take one of their classroom, a school hallway, the media center, the playground and sometimes the gym or cafeteria. I print out several copies of each picture in black and white so the students have a background to choose from. The students are able to choose a black and white photograph. I then give them an outline of the body of a person. Students are able to draw and color themselves and add it onto the photograph. They really do resemble the illustrations in Knuffle Bunny and the students’ love having the pictures of their own school to take home!
Materials:
Black and White photographs of 5 different places in your school building
Person Template (Download Here)
Crayons
Scissors
Glue
Knuffle Free: An Unexpected Diversion
Materials:
Passport Template (Printed and Folded)
Passport Stamps (Printed, cut and place in bowls around room)
Crayons
Glue
Stamp and stamp pad
Hope the unit and materials are useful for you and something you can adapt for your own classroom. I would love to hear your feedback after using it, please feel free to comment below!
