2 Fun Summer Activities

The Left Family – The group stands in a circle each holding a piece of hard candy but with only one holding a chocolate candy bar. Everyone has to pass the candy to the next child according to the story being told. When the group hears the word “right” or the word “left,” the child passes the candy in that direction. When the story ends, the candy held is for the child to keep. Who will get that chocolate candy bar? This story is good for all occasions like Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas.

A Special Time for the Left Family
Mr. and Mrs. Left were celebrating their special day today. It was Left’s fifth anniversary. They chose the right restaurant to go to celebrate. It was their favorite Italian restaurant not far from Left’s house. Their children, Mary Left, John Left, and Peter Left planned the whole event. Also, the 6PM time was the right time to go before it became crowded. Some of the other family and friend members asked for directions. The children wanted the family and friends to have the right direction and not get lost: go 3 miles to Center Street, make a left, go another 3 blocks, stay in the left lane and make another left turn on 4th Street, take 4th Street to Heart Avenue and make a right, go 2 blocks and you will see the Italian restaurant on your left, make a left turn into the parking lot. Make sure you stay in the right side of the parking lot because there is more than one restaurant there and park in the right side of the parking lot. The tables are located in back of the restaurant but ask for Mr. Right, the manager, when you go in. You will see all the names on the tables for your seating. It was not long when Mom Left and Dad Left entered. They were surprised to see many family members and friends attending and seated around the table. Of course, the children were seated next to mom and dad left: Mary Left, John Left, and Peter Left. They sat on the right side of the table. Grandpa Left sat on the left side of the table. Next to him were Grandpa and Grandma Right. Yes, the owner of the Italian Restaurant! Mr. and Mrs. Left’s closest friends filled the rest of the table. Seated was Sam who is Mr. Left’s boss; Susie who was Mr. Left’s co-worker. Mr. Left’s brother came late, Barry Left, along with Mrs. Left’s sister, Susie. They all had a great celebration for the 5th anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Left. That’s the story of the celebration for Mr. and Mrs. Left. Did I get that all right!?

Brave Ben – The children can be seated or on the floor. The group is divided into 4 groups or can be done in unison. Whenever a given “cue word” is said like Brave Ben, the group will clap their hands loudly; Mean Mitchell, the group will “Boo;” Happy Hannah says “My Hero;” and Baby Bill gets the crying sound. The teacher reads the story and the children respond to the story when they hear their special cue word. This story provides cognitive awareness for listening for verbal cues.
Brave Ben Story
CUE WORDS RESPONSE
Brave Ben Group claps their hands
Mean Mitchell Group boos and hisses
Happy Hannah Group says: “My Hero” in a girlish voice
Baby Bill Group cries: “Waa, waa”

Once upon a time there lived a young lady called HAPPY HANNAH. HAPPY HANNAH lived in a small run-down shack at the outskirts of the town of Buffalo Trail. One day MEAN MITCHELL came to her house and knocked on the door. Knock, knock, and knock!
“Who’s that knocking at my door?” asked HAPPY HANNAH.
“It is I, MEAN MITCHELL,” came the reply. “I’ve come to get the back rent that you own me.”
“But, MEAN MTCHELL, I do not have the rent,” sadly exclaimed HAPPY HANNAH.
“Well, then I will have to take your small brother, BABY BILL, and sell him!” said MEAN MITCHELL.
“No!” shouted HAPPY HANNAH, “I won’t let you take BABY BILL!”
“Well, then, said MEAN MITC HELL with a mean smile, “I’ll not take BABY BILL if you marry me.”
“Marry you!” said HAPPY HANNAH, “Never!”
But MEAN MITCHELL tore down the door and grabbed the arm of HAPPY HANNAH in one hand and the arm of BABY BILL in the other.
“I’ll sell BABY BILL and then marry you!” screamed MEAN MITCHELL.
“Oh, if only BRACE BEN were here!” cried HAPPY HANNAH.
“Unhand them!” said BRAVE BEN, who had just come in the door.
“Curses, foiled again!” said MEAN MITCHELL.
So, MEAN MITCHELL rode off into the sunset, while HAPY HANNAH, BABY BILL, and BRAVE BEN lived happily ever after.
THE END!