Run, run as fast as you can. Can you finish this sentence? I sure can! It replays in my head repeatedly after reading different versions of the gingerbread man. Students are super excited for the holiday season, and it can be tough to reign them in, but using literature centered around the gingerbread man is a really great opportunity to work on their reading comprehension skills. We use these stories to teach sequencing and identifying the beginning, middle, and the end of a story. In addition, we work on analyzing character, identifying story elements (character, setting, problem, and solution), and comparing and contrasting stories. I give the students plenty of opportunities to discuss, write, and draw their responses to the story. This has been an engaging and fun-filled experience for all students.
