Teach-Reading-and-Writing-Issue-22

“Ensure you provide regular cups of honeysuckle tea and mushroom slush, because elves become thirsty when playing” H ave you just been given an elf for Christmas? Do you know how to take good care of such a rare creature? Do not worry. Read these instructions and soon you too will be able to enjoy your pet and have the pleasure of watching it develop ‘elf-thily’. Of course, all elves want to travel to the North Pole and work with Father Christmas. To do this, they will need good training and a nutritious upbringing. Be wary though, because elves by nature can be mischievous, so they need careful handling. What you need: An enclosed space, plenty of toys, green clothes, ear mufflers and a pointy hat, honeysuckle tea and mushroom slush, fresh vegetables, dandelion bread and acorn soup plus exercise, singing and craft lessons. What to do First, build an enclosed space where your elf will be safe so that it cannot escape and carry out mischief. Next, supply plenty of toys so that your elf does not become bored. In winter, provide green clothes, ear mufflers and a pointy hat to keep it cosy. After that, remember to play daily with your elf, as they are sociable creatures, but never touch an elf because if you do, their magic will fade. Also, ensure you provide regular cups of honeysuckle tea and mushroom slush, because elves become thirsty when playing. They thrive on a vegetarian diet so supply fresh vegetables, dandelion bread and acorn soup as their staple diet. Furthermore, remember to exercise your elf daily as they have a lot of energy. However, they may run away and hide, so be very careful to keep a close eye on where they go! Consequently, you will avoid losing your elf and having to call in local elf-trackers. Moreover, make the time to sing with your elf a range of jolly Christmas songs. Ensure your elf attends craft lessons ,where it will be taught how to make toys and wrap presents. They like to whistle as they work. As a result, you will have a well-trained and happy elf! Important reminder: Play the radio, because elves like music. If you are lucky, your elf may dance and sing for you! This is very special as they may become so excited that they uncurl their translucent wings and fly. Elves will eventually outgrow any house. Consequently, you will have to release your elf so that it can travel north. Once it has begun working for Santa, all your training will be put to good use. Do not feel too sad, because elves are faithful to those who treat themwith compassion and often return for holidays! ©Pie Corbett – Elf Whisperer HOW TO LOOK AFTER A CHRISTMAS ELF TEACHING NOTES Have fun this festive season with some instructional work based around how to look after a Christmas elf. I have provided two model texts here: the first is about looking after a baby unicorn, and the second about caring for an elf. I have woven in some causal language to explain aspects of the instructions. You may wish to use just the first model with the children and only bring in the second one for pupils who require extra support. Tuning-in game This can be played orally or lead into writing a list. Note how in the model text, each idea begins with a ‘bossy verb’ to write an imperative. Discuss and brainstorm or list ideas for ways an elf could create mischief or how a Grinch might spoil Christmas. A word of warning: this activity might lead some children to go one step too far! Five ways for an elf to create mischief 1. Sneak around the house every night and hide so that children have to look for their elf every morning. 2. Sing ‘Old Macdonald had an elf’ in a very loud voice, making lots of silly noises. 3. Hide the car keys and Gran’s slippers, and put the tv remote control under the sofa. 4. Eat the cat’s dinner and bury Mum’s best shoes. 5. Put superglue on a teacher’s chair. Five ways for a Grinch to spoil Christmas 1. Sneak into houses and flats, dressed up as Santa Claus, and steal all the children’s presents. 2. Raid the fridge so that there is no food. 3. Pull all the tinsel and decorations down and dress the dog up as a reindeer. 4. Turn the power off so that there are no pretty lights. 5. Hide behind Christmas trees and jump out shouting, “YAH! BOO!” so loudly that everyone hides under the kitchen table! Prepare ideas Discuss and brainstorm a list of ideas about how to care for a pet elf. Do not skimp on this part of the preparation. The children will need lots of ideas about how they would care for their elf. Let them talk in pairs, share possibilities and make sketches of potential elf shelters. T E ACH I NG T E CHN I QUE S www.teachwire.net | 43