If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Lesson Plans

Here are the Mouse and Manners Lesson Plans I used for a preschool co-op-type class I taught a few months ago. It seemed to be a big hit, but I'm just now getting them on here:

Materials Needed:
*If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff
*Opening songs to introduce topic
*Gray cardstock
*Construction paper/cardstock--pink and red
*Black yarn
*Wiggly eyes
*Small pink pom-poms
*Hole punch
*White cardstock/heavy paper
*Napkin
*Straw
*Glue
*Typed scripture verse: "...It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35
*Opptional:  Cardstock circles, any color, to make cookies.

Directions:

Before class...

1.  Cut out as many gray mice as needed.  Mine were approximately 7 and 3/4 inches long and 3 and 3/4 high on the tail end of each mouse.  When cut out, they look like half-hearts.  Next, use a hole punch to make a hole on the tail end of each mouse.

2.  Cut out several pink and red ovals for mice ears, two red and two smaller pink ones for each mouse. 

3.  Pre-cut black yarn for whiskers (approx. 2 inches long) and tails (approximately 8 inches long). 

4.  Go ahead and tie the tails on each mouse by folding one piece of yarn in half, pushing the folded end through the hole, and wrapping the ends of the yard through the loop.  Pull tight. 

5.  Print out scripture verses if you don't have time for the children to copy them onto the mouse. 

6.  For the story itself, fold a piece of cardstock to create a play "mouse book" (see picture).  Draw a glass of milk on a piece of white cardstock, and make some "mouse" paper on another piece of paper.

During class...
1.  Introduce the topic by discussing the characteristics of mice--how they look, sound, move, eat...have the children be mice if time allows.
2.  Discuss manners--what they are, such as please and thank you.
3.  Read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.  While reading, give different children the straw, napkin, "mouse" paper, "mouse" book, and glass of milk.  Choose one child to be the mouse.  Have the "mouse" gather each object as the story is read. 
4.  Discuss whether or not the mouse had manners.  Point out the mouse never said "thank-you", etc. and re-read story, this time using please and thank-you. 
5.  Sing mouse songs (the one I created is below)
6.   Have students make their own mice.  Pass out gray mice, red and pink ovals, whiskers, wiggly eyes, pom-poms, and scripture verses. Guide students step-by-step to create mice by gluing the pieces on.  Pom-poms and scripture should only be visible on one side of the mouse. 
7.  If time, cut circles out of cardstock and direct the children to design their own cookies. 

Suggested Song: 
"The Mouse Asks Silly Questions" by Jennifer Martens to the tune of "All Around the Mulberry Bush"

All around the house today,
The Mouse asked silly questions.
I gave the mouse a _________ (cookie--have students fill this in),
"Thanks!" squeaked the mo-ouse.

But then the mouse asked for ______ (milk),
And a straw to slurp it down,
Now he needs a napkin,
"Please?" squeaks the mouse!

Next he looked in the __________ (mirror),
And noticed a long hair,
He asked for scissors, but cleaned up the mess,
"Thanks!" squaked the mouse!

He's so tired, he needs a rest (make yawning gesture),
With a pillow and a blanket,
He'll crawl in and ask for a story,
"Please?" squeaks the mouse!

He likes the pictures oh so much,
He has to draw one, too,
He'll sign his name and hang it on the fridge,
"Thanks!" squeaked the mouse!

Now he's thirsty and wants more _______ (milk),
And soon he'll want a _________ (cookie).
We're so glad he asks nicely,
"Please?" squeaks the mouse!