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Storytelling's
rich and diverse history is part of our very being. From all corners of the
world, adventures, heroism, sad and happy times are shared, messages
passed on and their meanings celebrated through events and occasions. Winter,
the solstice Yule and Christmas along with the changing weather, daylight
and night and the much anticipated visit from Santa, Father Christmas or
your country's giftbringer recall tales of friendship, family and food.
Enjoy this story-dough activity as you explore life through the coldest
season and the message of how kindness helps to show our feelings.
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The Yule log
mouse rhyme
The yule log mouse lives
a warm cosy life, saved from the fire by the woodman's wife. The day
this happened it was cold, with laden ice and the kindly couple agreed
some warmth would be nice.
So the woodman went to his shed full of tree! whilst Izzy his
wife cleared the fire's place to be. She then went to help her husband
with the wood, when 'squeak squeak squeak' she heard, near where
he was stood.
'Stop chopping' she cried 'I think we have a guest', they both
knelt down and saw a leaf filled nest. Inside a tiny mouse with twitchy
whiskers fine, huddled in the darkness of the yule log's vine.
'Oh my' smiled izzy, 'We'll put you somewhere high, this winter
is a harsh one, up there I'll drop you pie".
So the woodman snoozed happily in his chair by the flames, as
Izzy hummed a tune to the card game she played. And snuggled on the
shelf, the yule log mouse gave out a happy sigh from his winter warm
house.
written and illustrated by Ruth Grimes
© 2015
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Resources needed
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Play! have fun rolling lengths of
dough to form the log's vine branches. Cut out dough leaves, position
artificial ones and add texture with scrunched up dried autumn leaves.
Drape ropes of dough ropes over a log, branch or slice of tree trunk
or paper laminated yule log outline sheets.
Build snuggly warm nests for the mice or mouse to curl up and
fall asleep in.
Ask the children how they think mice survive the winter.
What type of homes they build and where.
Use descriptive, positional language to promote maths, science
and literacy.
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Additional
ideas and resources for preschool play
Yule log stories - history, traditions and observances
Use the wax crayons to take rubbing impressions from the
tree log bark
Vegan Yule log recipe from the veganfamily.co.uk
- scroll down a little on the page
Preventing mice from entering a house - humane traps, house maintenance & food disposal
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