The Mitten by Jan Brett
By Kayla • April 3, 2018
What would winter be without warm, cozy mittens? In her distinct style, renowned children's author Jan Brett has created a wonderful winter story about a lost mitten and the woodland creatures who find it called, The Mitten - a book which Teachers.net lesson plan contributor Janet Lowe thinks makes the basis of a great winter lesson for your preschoolers and kindergartners.
Language & Literature
Begin by reading the story to your students. Invite them to listen carefully, taking note of each of the woodland creatures who finds (and wiggles into!) Nikki's lost mitten. At the story's conclusion, test your students' listening skills by completing a sequencing activity where students are provided with mitten and animal cutouts then asked to place the creatures inside the mitten in the correct order. Jan Brett offers delightful printables for this activity on her website that you can print and distribute or you could have students draw their own.
You might also consider using Brett's printables to create flash cards (like the ones shown at the right) where students can trace the animal names for letter and pre-writing practice as well as use the cards for ordering practice (alphabetical) and even memory/matching games! The possibilities are endless!
Practice with Adjectives
Lowe also suggests providing students with a mitten cutout to decorate with craft supplies from around the classroom (i.e. yarn, pom pons, etc.) with the phrase "My mitten is ____________." at the bottom, inviting students to brainstorm describing words. Once again, you can use one of Brett's printables and word processing software to create and print a project worksheet onto sturdy card stock (that will stand up to the demands of decorating!). Below is an example of a worksheet adapted using Jan Brett's artwork:
Pretend Play
To reinforce the concept of sequencing, it might also be fun to have your students take turns dressing up as the characters in the book - Nikki and all the animals - and act out the story while it's being read. This offers a great creative outlet for your preschoolers while helping them to remember the story and practice sequencing!
About the Author
Kayla Johnson
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational purposes only and reflects the author's personal experiences and/or opinions. The author is not a financial advisor, medical professional, or licensed expert in any regulated field. Nothing on this page should be interpreted as financial, medical, or professional advice. This content is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions related to your finances, health, or other personal matters. The information provided here is shared in good faith, but individual circumstances vary, and what works for some people may not work for you. Results are not typical, implied, or guaranteed. While we strive for accuracy, information may become outdated or change over time. Statements made by guest authors reflect their own opinions and should not be interpreted as endorsements by SupplyMe.
Some of the links on this page may be affiliate or referral links, which means we may earn a commission or bonus if you use them. There’s no extra cost to you — and it’s a great way to support the site if you find the content helpful.