Jack and the Beanstalk offers a great opportunity to encourage children to practice identification and memorization skills. Help little ones cultivate habits that will assist them with future academic endeavors. To play this game print out or hand write two copies of the five picture cards that reflect popular details of the story. Use white paper for all cards or, if working with toddlers and want to teach color identification, make each individual pair one solid color. For example, both beans cards are green but the Jack cards are red. Flip cards over hiding images and mix them up then try to match pairs.
Schedule time for your class or kids to complete a fun science project after reading the Jack and the Beanstalk story. Growing your own beanstalk offers students an opportunity to insert themselves into the middle of the story. Begin by handing out a small clay pot or plastic cup filled half-way with soil and a single bean. Next, set aside time to grow the bean, and once it sprouts insert a six to nine inch twig or stick gently into the pot alongside it. As the sprout grows wrap it around the twig. Instruct children to draw a tiny self-portrait and attach at base of plant growth so they can enjoy being "Jack."
Jack and the Beanstalk Bingo offers children an opportunity to practice memory and recognition skills. Prior to beginning this activity, print or hand write Bingo cards and laminate if intending long term use. After reading the story hand out one card per player as well as a handful of dried beans, enough to cover all spaces. One additional option while playing this game is to segue way into a miniature nutrition lesson wherein students learn the benefits of beans and legumes. Simply pop a picture of the Food Pyramid up on the projector and view.
Top off a reading of Jack and the Beanstalk with a crossword that reflects important details of the story. This crossword boasts only twelve questions, making it suitable for younger as well as older children. Complete questions as an entire class or even one-on-one with parents taking the across and kids the down choices. Have a copy of the story nearby for helpful reference. Encourage young ones to practice reading and spelling skills while sounding out answers.