The story of the "Three Billy Goats Gruff" has been retold many times by many authors. Find several different versions of the story and read one during story time each day. Talk with the children about the characteristics of each version, noting key words on the chalk or bulletin board. As you read each story, talk to the children about how each version differs from the others. Ask the preschoolers which version they like best and least, and have them tell you why.
Divide the children into groups of four and help them act out the story for their classmates. Assign each student a character and have the teacher (or classroom assistant) act as narrator. To add interest to the performances, allow the children to find or make their own props and costumes from dress-up clothes, crafts and other items they find in the classroom. To further tie the lesson together, you could assign each group a different version of the "Three Billy Goats Gruff" to perform.
Crafts are a fun and simple way to illustrate the story of the "Three Billy Goats Gruff." Have children create a mask of their favorite character in the story. They could use these masks to act out the story, if desired. Pre-cut mask shapes and add-ons like horns and elastic straps make the task simpler for preschoolers. Students can also create edible story scenes. Spread a paper or plastic plate with white frosting and let children create a scene from the story using green-colored coconut as grass, animal crackers as goats, an upside-down pretzel twist for the bridge and a marshmallow as the troll.
Many other concepts can be taught using the "Three Billy Goats Gruff." Have preschoolers practice sorting different objects from small to large, explaining that the goats in the story crossed the bridge in that order. Reinforce language skills by discussing the different recurring letter sounds and rhyming patterns in the story. Use the story to demonstrate appropriate behavior, and ask the preschoolers to weigh in on the goats’ and the troll’s actions. Have the children change the story by having the goats and the troll behave respectfully toward each other.