A storytelling activity for class: a ready-to-use lesson
In short: In this 25-minute outline, children hear an original short story, The Red Leaf, sequence its events and explain a possible solution through drawing or talk. The story, materials, teacher steps and printable activity sheet are all on this page.
Read this short text first: The Red Leaf
Mouse found a red leaf. Mouse wanted to show it to Hare.
The wind blew. The leaf flew away. Mouse found it by a stone.
Mouse got a small book. The leaf went inside. Mouse shut the book.
Hare opened the book. “Look at the lines!” said Hare. They looked at the leaf. Then they each drew one.
One sheet of paper, a pencil and three blank scene boxes for each group. No scissors, glue, screen or account needed.
Early reading stories: read together and take turnsA 25-minute lesson outline
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3 minutes · Invite curiosity
What does the teacher do? Read the title. Hear one or two ideas about how to carry a leaf.
What do the children do? Offer a prediction if they wish; predictions are not marked right or wrong.
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5 minutes · Read together
What does the teacher do? Read the short text above. Pause once at the wind to ask what has changed.
What do the children do? Listen, or share a sentence with the teacher.
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5 minutes · Sequence the events
What does the teacher do? Ask what happened first, next and last; return to the text.
What do the children do? Draw three scenes in the boxes or put them in order aloud.
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8 minutes · Work in pairs or small groups
What does the teacher do? Invite a different way of carrying the leaf. Ask what materials it needs and how it would work.
What do the children do? Draw a solution together; one child might explain while another points to the problem in the text.
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4 minutes · Share and close
What does the teacher do? Invite one or two groups to share. Consider how the solution addresses the wind problem.
What do the children do? Share an idea in a sentence or a drawing; speaking to the class is optional.
Printable activity sheet
The Red Leaf
Beginning: What did Mouse find?
Problem: What happened, and why did the leaf move away?
Solution: What did Mouse do? What other way would you suggest?
Exit sentence: “When … happened, Mouse …” You can say it or draw it.
Guides consulted during preparation
The stories, passage and activities on this page are original practice materials prepared for Black Horse with AI assistance. The organisations below have not reviewed or endorsed these materials.
Purpose and preparation
The purpose is to notice a story’s beginning, small problem and resolution, and connect an idea with an event in the text. This outline does not claim alignment with a formal curriculum or provide an attainment test.
Read the text beforehand and explain words such as “wind” or “lines” as needed for your class. Prepare a sheet of paper and a pencil for each group. No screen or pupil account is needed; the text and activity sheet can be printed.
Adapt participation to your class
Children who are not yet reading can listen, draw or point to scenes. Others can share a sentence each. For a shorter session, save group presentations for another day; the timings are planning suggestions.
Do not ask children to describe private family experiences or give real names. Fictional characters are enough for the work. Offer speaking or drawing as alternatives to written answers.
What can you notice at the end?
Can a child identify an event, explain an order and connect their proposed solution with the problem? Use these as observations, without scores, speed races or ranking children against one another.
Questions
Must we stick to exactly 25 minutes?
No. The 3+5+5+8+4-minute outline is a starting point. Shorten a stage or split the work into two sessions as needed.
Do children need to read independently?
No. A teacher can read the text and children can respond through talk, drawing or pointing. Independent reading is optional.