MaiStoryBook Library

MaiStoryBook: We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish + “I Face Fears* Dino Craft

by MaiStoryBook

Introducing the newest adventure of Penelope Rex, where she faces her biggest fear yet ! featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection: 

“We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish” by Ryan T. Higgins

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of “We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish” to start on your own reading adventure!~*

Book Synopsis and Review

Penelope Rex’s biggest fear is Walter, the class goldfish.When their teacher assigns the kids to take turns bringing Walter home, Penelope’s fear gets the best of her. Then, during her turn, Walter goes missing, and Penelope must confront her fear to find him. Through her search, she learns that there is more to Walter than just his scary appearance.

If your child need help facing their fears, *We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish* is the perfect read aloud to share! Through narrative and visual humor, Penelope shows readers that what they fear may not be so scary after all…And this book isn’t just entertaining for kids- author Ryan T. Higgins signature deadpan, multi-visual comedy ~ means that even GROWN UPS will laugh at the visual jokes! It’s an SEL book the whole family will enjoy!

Check out the other Books in the Best-selling Series:

Book 1: WE DON’T EAT OUR CLASSMATES // Book 2: WE WILL ROCK OUR CLASSMATES

Vocabulary

  • extinct (p. 3) animals or plants that are no longer alive anywhere – they no longer exist
  • menacing (p. 7) dangerous, scary, threatening
  • nibble (p. 9) to chew on or to take a small bite
  • distracted (p. 14) not paying attention to what you are supposed to pay attention to
  • graceful (p. 32) smoothly and nicely- in a very pretty way

Themes/Main Idea

  • When you face your fears, you may realize that you fear may not be so scary after all.
  • Get to know someone before making a judgement.

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “We Don’t Lose Our Class Goldfish” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

*~Check it Out~*

Subscribe: MaiStoryBook Youtube Channel for additional read aloud videos!

*Facing My Fears* Dino Craft

What are some of your/ your littles’ fears? Growing up, I was terrified of bears and the dark. I hates going to bed at night, and tried all sorts of tactics to try and keep my parents in the room or coming back to check in on me. And most of my nightmares tended to revolve around bears… So how did I face my fears? A zoo trip to see bears in real life helped a bit to calm that fear, and a nightlight and books about all the people who work at night, or are awake on the other side of the world helped me not to feel as lonely! Of course, I still had some fear, but slowly I learned to face my fears and eventually come to realize they aren’t so scary after all! To extend the story beyond the featured book, encourage littles to think about their fears, and to share a time they’ve faced a fear, or ideas they have for how they can face their current fears. Use the craft template below to record their thoughts and ideas!

Materials

Directions

  • COVER TEMPLATE
  • Choose a Goldfish Cover Template: There are 3 different versions in Color or Black-and-White: Plain; “_____ Faces Fears”; or “_____ Has Courage”
  • Fill in your Name in the blank if you choose a Personalized Template: EX) ” _Maya _ Has Courage “
  • Print out and color the cover template if you chose B&W
  • Cut out the Goldfish Cover Template
  • RESPONSE TEMPLATE
  • Choose a Dino Response Template. There are 9 differentiated versions
  • Versions 1-3: Includes written/drawing prompts to share what some of your fears are, and to share about one time you faced your fear.
  • Version 4-6: Includes written/ drawing prompts to share what some of your fears are, and ideas for how you can face your fears.
  • Versions 7-9: Blank templates for your own free-responses or for your own prompts.
  • Print out the response template, fill it in, and color. Cut it out.
  • ATTACH THE CRAFT
  • To attach the craft, place glue on the gray area labeled “Glue” on the Dino Response Template. (at the top of the goldfish bowl response section)
  • Take the Cover Template and glue it on top of the Response Template so that it covers your responses. (SEE SAMPLE PHOTOS AND VIDEO PREVIEW IN ORIGINAL TPT LISTING)
  • Lift the Cover Flap to reveal your responses

Enjoy Your *I Am a Rockstar* Craftivity

  • Share your Dino-Goldfish craft with family or friends to share your fears and share how you face them, or ask for ideas for how to face your fears
  • Share your Dino-Goldfish craft with family and friends and ask them to share their fears, or stories of when they’ve faced their fear. You can help them brainstorm ways to face their fears.
  • Use your craft as a reading buddy as you re-read the story and face fears with Penelope!
  • Hang up your craft to remind you that you have the courage to face your fears, and that what you fear may not be so scary after all.

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Check out all 3 Penelope Rex Crafts in this bundle:

*~Overall, as always, I hope you all are having exciting reading adventures! Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary or FaceBook , find me on TikTok or contact me via email to share your own *Facing My Fears* Crafts and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you and learn more about you!~*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*

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