Actives stories – Marco in the jungle
Have fun discovering the world of Marco!
| Target: | Counselors |
| Time frame: | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Type of tool: | Activities |
| Ages: | 4 years, 5-6 years |
| Group size: | One group |
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Healthy Habits
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Description
Do you want to tell an engaging story to your campers? Introduce them to the story of “Marco in the Jungle.” This tool allows you to develop motor skills in the children while learning new things through an interactive story. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to explore various themes (the world of bananas, the jungle, determination, etc.).
Throughout the story, you will have several questions to explore with the children. Refer to the answers provided for each question to give the correct information to your group. You will have images to show and “It’s time to get moving” boxes to prompt action. We suggest doing the activity outdoors to make it closer to the reality of the story.
You can tell your story in various ways: by acting out the various character and getting your campers to play some small parts; by taking a “short walk” to discover the story along; sitting in a circle and pausing during reading to perform active movements; or standing and ready to move.
To prepare, set aside a specific time for your activity in your programming, ensuring you have the necessary materials. Refer to the activity guide that accompanies the story, which contains several animation tips. Also, view the motor skills videos to familiarize yourself with the exercises to be performed during the story.
In partnership with
Goal(s)
Throughout the story, the children are invited to develop their motor skills as well as their knowledge of healthy eating. This activity will also teach them to recognize various elements through the learning achieved during the story, with the help of visual aids.
Tips and Tricks
During the story, add a sound signal each time you transition between an active moment and a reading moment. This will allow your group understand that it’s time to get back to the story.
You can also use the story to create your weekly theme. For example, you could play an active game where the campers stretch and form each letter of the word “banana” with their bodies, do a guessing game about exotic fruits, or add a touch of “jungle” to other activities of the week (e.g., monkey tag, animal yoga, animal mime race, etc.). For more suggestions, consult the activity guide.
Required material
- Printed copy of the story
- Printed copy of the activity guide
- A real banana, a plastic banana or any object representing a banana to practice catching, such as a ball.
- Chalk to draw lines on the floor or use the lines in a gymnasium, small tree branches, ropes, a wooden beam, etc.
- Something to represent rocks (e.g., paper in the shape of rocks)
Let’s have a chat!
Here are subjects to discuss with your campers before and after the activity. Ask them questions to see what they learnt.
- What was your favorite moment from the story?
- Did you like the theme?
- In your opinion, what is the difference between telling just a story and telling an active story?
- Have you ever practiced these motor skills before?
- Did you discover anything new through the story we experienced together?
Here is a list of the learning that your campers can achieve during this activity
- Motor Skills
- Knowledge of Healthy Eating
- Discovery of new foods
- Sensory Exploration
- Knowledge related to the theme of the stories (e.g. jungle, winter)
- Determination
- Collaboration
- Creativity
