Once Upon a Time in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Once Upon a Time in a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Are Fairy Tales Still Alive Today? May is a magical month—flowers are blooming, creativity is blooming, and it's the perfect time to explore storytelling, fairy tales, and... Star Wars?

Yes, you read that right! Fairy tales aren’t just castles and glass slippers anymore. What if one of the most popular modern franchises—Star Wars—is actually a fairy tale in disguise? With heroes, villains, wise mentors, magical powers, and epic quests, it checks all the boxes!

That’s the inspiration behind my Once Upon a Time Inquiry-Based Learning resource, where students explore fairy tale elements, and see how classic storytelling structures show up in both traditional and modern tales.

Let’s dive into the fairy tale magic... from enchanted forests to far-off galaxies!

What Makes a Story a Fairy Tale? In this inquiry based learning, students learn and apply the elements of a fairy tale, such as:

A hero or heroine with a quest

A villain or obstacle to overcome

Magical elements (talking animals, spells, or supernatural powers)

A happy or meaningful ending

Setting in a faraway time or place

Good vs. evil themes

Life lessons or morals

Your PBL helps students build their own fairy tale universe using these timeless ingredients—but with a modern twist!

Is Star Wars a Fairy Tale? Let’s compare:

✅ Hero with a humble beginning? (Luke Skywalker)

✅ Wise mentor? (Obi-Wan Kenobi/Yoda)

✅ Villain? (Darth Vader)

✅ Magic? (The Force!)

✅ Epic quest and inner growth? (Absolutely.)

Invite students to analyze Star Wars using your fairy tale checklist—it’s a powerful critical thinking tool! You could even let them choose their favorite movie or book and determine: Fairy tale or not?

What’s Inside the Once Upon a Time PBL? This resource is packed with engaging tasks like:

Identifying fairy tale elements

Planning and drafting a new fairy tale

Designing story settings and characters

Problem-solving in story form

Presenting their work creatively (poster, booklet, puppet show, etc.)

Perfect for K–2 but flexible enough to adapt!

Here are additional Activity Ideas to Enrich the Blog:

 Want to sprinkle even more fairy tale stardust into the classroom or homeschool space? Try these add-on ideas:

 Fairy Tale STEM: Build a Better Bridge for the Billy Goats

Challenge students to build a bridge using craft sticks and blocks that can hold up “Billy Goats” (small toys). Can they engineer a way across without the troll catching them?

 Create a Fairy Tale in a Jar

Have students fill a jar with mini story elements written on slips (a forest, a dragon, a talking cookie, etc.). They pull three and create a story!

 Design-a-Cover Activity

Let students create a new cover for their fairy tale story, complete with title, illustration, and a back cover blurb.

 Fairy Tale Readers’ Theater

Adapt a few classic fairy tales into mini scripts. Students can act them out with fun props and puppets—then rewrite their own alternate endings!

 Star Wars + Fairy Tales Compare & Contrast Worksheet

Use a simple graphic organizer to compare classic tales (like Cinderella) with Star Wars or another student-chosen modern tale. Discuss similarities in:

Story arcs

Character types

Magical or sci-fi elements

Messages or morals

The Power of Storytelling whether you’re reading “Once Upon a Time…” or “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…,” storytelling shapes how children understand courage, kindness, and imagination. Your Once Upon a Time PBL makes these connections come alive—merging the past, present, and future of fairy tales into a learning adventure.

This May, let’s celebrate the magic of story and the wonder of kids creating their own! May the 4th Be With You!

This product may be found in my store: 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher 

April Showers Bring May Flowers and Fresh New Products!

Spring is in full bloom—and so is the classroom fun! With April showers behind us, it’s time to welcome the beauty of May with flower-themed learning that brightens any lesson plan. Whether you're a teacher planning your garden unit or looking to freshen up your spring activities, I've created a set of delightful resources perfect for the season: the Tulip, Rose, Sunflower, and General Plant Fact Booklets.

Let’s dig into these May-themed treasures and discover how they can inspire curious minds to bloom!

Tulip Fact Booklet

Tulips are more than just pretty petals—they’re a springtime symbol of renewal and cheer. This booklet is a great way for students to explore tulip facts, from where they grow to their famous ties to the Netherlands.

Try having your students create a tulip field painting using forks dipped in paint for textured tulip petals. Pair it with a tulip writing prompt from the booklet!

Rose Fact Booklet

Often called the queen of flowers, roses are full of fragrance, color, and history. In this booklet, students learn about rose anatomy, how they grow, and their use in perfumes and gifts.

 Craft Idea: Try a paper rose spiral craft! Students cut and roll red or pink paper spirals into beautiful roses. These can be part of a bouquet craft tied to Mother’s Day or a kindness-themed activity: Give a rose to someone who made you smile this week!

Sunflower Fact Booklet

Sunflowers are sunshine in a flower! With their tall stems and bright faces, they make a perfect topic for science and math tie-ins (think measurement, seed counting, and symmetry).

 STEM Idea: Build a sunflower seed sprouting experiment! Students can use a ziplock bag, damp paper towel, and sunflower seed to observe germination over time. Record observations with booklet writing pages!

Plant Fact Booklet

This booklet helps students learn the life cycle of plants, plant parts, and what plants need to survive. It’s a great tool for grounding your entire spring science unit.

 

Craft Extension: Have your students create a "Build-A-Plant" collage using labeled parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers). Let them mix media—yarn for roots, tissue for leaves—to reinforce plant structure and function.

Your students may love how flowers look, but they’ll be amazed by how important they are, too! Flowers: Attract pollinators like bees and butterflies,  produce seeds for new plants, help with food production (think fruits and veggies!), provide beauty and joy that boosts our moods, and teach patience, care, and responsibility when grown!  Let students become garden guardians this May as they learn to appreciate how every bloom plays a role in the world around us.

Here are a few other ways to blossom with flower learning this May:

 Flower Poetry Corner: Let students write acrostic poems using “TULIP,” “ROSE,” or “PLANT.”

 Book Pairings: Read-alouds like Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert or The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle make great companions.

 Flower Glyphs: Create a flower craft where each part (color, petal number, leaf shape) tells something about the student!

 Pollinator Tie-In: Connect flower units to bee and butterfly resources. Discuss how these helpers are key to flower survival!

From petals to pollination, May is a fantastic month to dig deep into flower learning! These four fact booklets offer a ready-to-use foundation for science, reading, writing, and hands-on exploration. Whether you’re teaching about the bright yellow heads of sunflowers or the romance of roses, this collection is sure to help your students bloom with knowledge and creativity.

May your classroom blossom!

All products may be found in my store: 

 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher  

Celebrate National Help a Horse Day on April 26!

Every year on April 26th, horse lovers and animal
advocates come together to celebrate National Help a Horse Day—a special day dedicated to raising awareness about horse welfare, rescue efforts, and the importance of caring for these incredible animals.

Whether you’re a horse enthusiast or simply want to inspire young learners, this is the perfect opportunity to explore the world of horses through fun activities, engaging books, and educational resources!

To celebrate National Help a Horse Day, I’ve created a Horse Fact Booklet that is packed with fun facts, engaging activities, and hands-on learning.

What’s Inside the Horse Fact Booklet?

 Informational reading passages about horses, comprehension check questions to reinforce learning, a horse-themed craft activity, and the life cycle of a horse.

This resource is a great way to introduce young learners to horse facts, history, and care, while also incorporating reading comprehension and hands-on activities.

Books are a wonderful way to teach kids about the beauty, strength, and intelligence of horses. Here are five great picks to read for National Help a Horse Day:

"Misty of Chincoteague" by Marguerite Henry – A heartwarming classic about the famous wild ponies of Assateague Island.

"The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses" by Paul Goble – A beautifully illustrated Native American story about a girl who forms a deep bond with wild horses.

"If I Ran the Horse Show" by Bonnie Worth (Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat Learning Library) – A fun, educational introduction to different horse breeds and horse care.

"Black Beauty" by Anna Sewell – A timeless story told from the perspective of a horse, teaching lessons about kindness and animal welfare.

"Horses" by Gail Gibbons – A nonfiction book filled with fascinating horse facts, perfect for young readers!

Want to bring even more horse fun into your classroom or home? Here are five hands-on activities to make this day extra special:

 1. Create a Horse Craft

Use the Horse Fact Booklet’s craft activity to let kids create their own paper horse! They can color, cut, and decorate their horse while learning fun facts.

 2. Act Out a Horse Story

Turn one of the horse books into a mini play! Let kids act out scenes from Misty of Chincoteague or Black Beauty to bring the story to life.

3. Horse-Themed Directed Drawing

Teach kids how to draw a horse step by step. This helps with fine motor skills and makes for a great art project!

 4. "Adopt" a Stuffed Horse and Learn How to Care for It

Give each child a stuffed horse toy (or let them draw one) and have them write about how they would take care of their horse, just like a real owner would.

 5. Visit a Horse Rescue or Watch Videos About Horse Care - If possible, plan a visit to a local horse rescue or farm to learn about how horses are cared for. If visiting in person isn’t an option, watch educational videos about horses and their care.

National Help a Horse Day is a great time to teach kids about the importance of caring for animals, while also incorporating fun literacy and hands-on activities.

 Which activity will you try first? Let me know in the comments!

My horse fact booklet can be found in my store: 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Horse-Fact-Booklet-Nonfiction-Comprehension-Craft-Life-Cycle-4376071

Celebrate International Children's Book Day

Every year on April 2nd, book lovers around the world celebrate International Children’s Book Day —a day dedicated to inspiring a love of reading in children and highlighting the importance of children's literature.

Founded in 1967 by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), this special day is celebrated on Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, honoring the famous author who gave us timeless fairy tales like The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and The Emperor’s New Clothes.

Books open the doors to imagination, creativity, and lifelong learning. Whether it's through classic fairy tales, adventure stories, or non-fiction fact books, reading plays a crucial role in children's development by: Building vocabulary and comprehension skills, Expanding knowledge of the world, Encouraging curiosity and creativity, and Fostering empathy through diverse stories and perspectives.

Each year, a different country from IBBY sponsors International Children’s Book Day by choosing a theme and designing an official poster and message to inspire young readers.

There are so many fun ways to celebrate this special day and encourage young readers! Here are a few ideas:

 1. Read a Book (or Two!):

Take time to read a favorite children’s book or discover a new one! Whether it’s a classic fairy tale, an informational fact booklet, or a storybook about different cultures, the goal is to enjoy the magic of reading.

 2. Explore Books from Around the World:

International Children's Book Day is the perfect time to explore stories from different cultures. Look for books that introduce children to new traditions, languages, and perspectives. 

Some great picks include:

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña (U.S.)

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi (Korea)

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (LGBTQ+ Representation)

Abuela by Arthur Dorros (Latino Heritage)

 3. Create a Storytelling or Drawing Activity:

Encourage kids to write and illustrate their own short stories. For younger learners, try a directed drawing activity where they illustrate characters from a favorite book.

 4. Visit the Library or Attend a Storytime Event:

Many libraries host special readings, storytelling sessions, and book-themed activities for children. Check your local library’s schedule for any International Children's Book Day events.

 5. Start a Reading Challenge:

Encourage kids to set a reading goal—like finishing a book in a week or reading one story from a different country each day of the month.

Books and Activities to Celebrate:

If you're looking for engaging books and activities to celebrate International Children's Book Day, here are a few of our books that can be shared:

1.  A-Z of South Africa - A World of Diversity and Culture

2.  Maybe Heart Friends

3.  Opportunities for Everyone Lessons from Keystone with STEAM & Biomimicry Activities

4.  Nyla's Glowing Underwater Garden - A Coral Reef Adventure

5. Orla's Golden Blanket - Sea Otters' Secret to a Bright Blue Future

6.  The Rhino in Me - A Story of Friendship, Protection and Milk Lollies

Whether it’s through reading a beloved story, writing a creative tale, or learning something new, International Children’s Book Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate books and the joy they bring to young readers.

 How do you plan to celebrate? Share your favorite children’s book in the comments!

All books may be found on Amazon.