What? file folder, scissors, construction paper (2 black, 1 blue, 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green)
Why? rhyme, colors, sequence, self-esteem
When? large group
How? Use the cat pattern to cut a cat shape from the front of the file folder. Cut construction paper into 8” x 10” rectangles and insert inside the file folder in this order: black, blue, red, yellow, green, black. Tape the sides of the file folder and decorate the front with markers if you desire.
Hint! Glue the words of the story below to the back of the file folder to help you tell it.
Once there was a little black cat. (Hold up the file folder showing the black cat.) He was a magic cat because he could change his colors (snap fingers) just like that. All he had to say was:
CHORUS:
I’m Scat the Cat. (Children join in on the chorus.)
I’m sassy and fat.
And I can change my colors
Just like that! (Snap fingers.)
One day Scat decided he was tired of being black. He wanted to be a new color so he said: CHORUS. (Remove the black sheet of paper to make the cat blue.) And he changed blue! Scat went down to the pond to look at himself in the water. Unfortunately, he fell in and he couldn’t swim. Timmy Turtle came along and helped Scat get back on shore.
Scat decided he didn’t want to be blue any more, so he said: CHORUS. (Remove the blue sheet of paper to make the cat red.) And he changed red. He went walking down the street and everybody started laughing at him. “Whoever heard of a red cat!” they said.
Scat decided he didn’t want to be red any more, so he said: CHORUS. (Remove the red sheet of paper to make the cat yellow.) And he changed yellow. Scat went walking in the woods and who did he run into but his cousin Leo the lion. “Grrrrrr!” roared Leo. “I’m the only cat who can be yellow.”
Scat decided he better not be yellow any more and he quickly said: CHORUS. (Remove the yellow sheet of paper to make the cat green.) Scat wanted to play with his brothers and sisters in the grass. He tried to play with them, but he was green like the grass and they couldn’t see him.
Scat decided he didn’t want to be blue, or red, or yellow, or green, so he said: CHORUS. (Remove the green sheet of paper to make the cat black.) Scat knew that being himself was the best thing to be. And do you know what? Being yourself is the best thing you can be, too. Because there’s nobody else exactly like you. And I like you just the way you are!
*Encourage the children to identify the rhyming words in the story.
*Have children discuss what makes them unique and special.
*Review the sequence of the story. Make a story bracelet by adding colored beads to the pipe cleaner as the children retell the story.
*Make felt cats and place in storytelling center with a flannel board so children can practice telling the story.
