Knuffle+Bunny

Nancy Genatiempo

I just love the story of [|//Knuffly Bunny//] written by Mo Willems. I love the mix of the black and white photos and the illustrations of the characters. It is a great tool to use with students to discuss story structure with second graders as writers. The photogrpahs are the setting of the story while the illustrations show the actions of the characters and the emotions of the missing stuffed animal.To motivate writers use of digital photography would be exciting and creative.

First, have the writers think of a missing item in the classroom. Have the group then plan out three places they are going to look for that item with a [|graphic organizer]. Include who the character will be looking for that item.

Then, have digital cameras for the students to take pictures of the three locations in the room or school.

The fourth picture will be left for groups to decide to have the 4th picture for the beginning of the story when the character realizes the item is missing or at the end of the story with what the character will be doing with what ever has been lost.

Print off the pictures leaving some space at the bottome to add words. Give the groups paper and crayons to draw the character looking for that item. Discuss with students how the characters will look if they are frustrated when they can not find the missing item and then when the character has found that item. Cut out the character from the drawing and glue them down on the pictures. Remind students that just like at the end of //Knuffle Bunny// it is resolved with finding the lost item. It is important for them as well to have a resolved ending that makes sense.

Allow students to add words to their story to tell more about what happened and why. Bind them and add the books to the classroom library or the media center for others to see the new creations.

Here is an example of the pictures by using GIMP to add in the illustrations that the students may have done by hand with paper and crayons.


 * //I lost my markers//**.

I looked in my pencil box. I looked in my bookcase.

I looked in my backpack. Now I can draw my picture!