Story Prompt Activities

Being that Christmas is around the corner I am on high alert for any games, toys or resources that have open ended and long term play potential. If something is going to take up physical space in my home I want it to be 1) useful 2) beautiful 3) space efficient 4) able to be used in a variety of ways for a long time. I created these Whimsical Watercolour Story Cards with all of those things in mind. 

Often when we think of the English Language Arts our minds go first to reading and writing. There are however 6 strands to the ELA curriculum (at least in SK) and additionally include speaking, listening, viewing and representing. I love that using these cards we are able to hit almost all strands!

Let's get into a few fun ways you can use story cards in your home. 

1. Mystery Pile - deal 5 -6 cards face down in a pile. Have your child flip over the first card and start verbally telling a story with that first item. *They must include their item before someone flips their next card for them. When the next item is flipped it needs to be incorporated as soon as possible. Continue with the whole dealt pile. 

I've been doing this mystery item activity with my own kids for years and in the classroom for years before that. It is always a class favourite and they love when I draw random objects while they are writing their stories as well as it keeps things fresh and creates a sense of urgency to work the random object into their story before the next one comes. If you're using it in a writing assignment make sure you give the students time afterwards to share with each other how they used the various items. Each one is so different and so creative!

2. Sell, Sell, Sell - draw a random card (or two) and come up with an advertisement for that item. It can be a written activity where they develop a quick visual ad or it can be a speaking activity where they essentially create a commercial or jingle on the spot. Many giggles are likely to ensue as you create advertisements for whales, feathers and aliens.  

3. Listify - Grab one card and make a list of 10 things about that item. 
You can also flip it to be a David Letterman's Top Ten kind of list. Deal 10 cards (or 5 to make it go quicker). Have the player come up with a title for the list. For example, "Top Ten Ways to Get Home from School". Then draw a card at a time and make it relate to the list. 
#10 - "Use a magic lamp to wish for a magic carpet and fly home."
#9 - "Tie a message to a bee and send it to your mom asking her to pick you up."
#8 - "Use the mega magnet to attach to a car and let it tow you home."

4. Reverse! Reverse! - Deal a pile of 5 cards and have the player start at the END of the story and then tell the story backwards as they draw cards. You can even start with "The end" or "And they lived happily ever after..."

If you want to grab your own set I have the digital download in my shop for just $5! There are a total of 48 illustrated cards (on 8 pages) so they're super affordable to print as well. I recommend printing in colour on white card stock paper. You can purchase your set here: WATERCOLOUR STORY CARDS.

In the digital download I also include a total of 16 activity ideas for how you can use the Watercolour Story Cards!

~ Monique