If you’re planning a gingerbread unit, holiday theme week, or simply want to bring seasonal fun to your literacy block, gingerbread read alouds are the perfect way to bring excitement and meaningful literacy work into your classroom. These stories are filled with engaging storylines and many opportunities for teaching our readers how to think about their reading–what we need to work building skilled readers!
Today I’m sharing six gingerbread read alouds your students will beg to hear again. The first two include ready-to-teach lesson plans, and the remaining four include printable resources you already have that pair perfectly with each story.
Let’s jump into the gingerbread goodness!
In this gingerbread story, Marshall is convinced gingerbread cookies can’t possibly run away… until his class bakes cookies and they mysteriously vanish! Students follow Marshall on a clue-filled scavenger hunt as he searches the school for the missing treats. This is great for your gingerbread read alouds as you teach students to retell a story focusing on story elements-characters, setting, a problem, and a solution.
I already have a complete lesson plan for this read aloud — everything from comprehension to vocabulary, sequencing, and a gingerbread craft!
Jan Brett has many well-known winter books and Gingerbread Baby is among them! In this story, when Matti opens the oven too soon, the Gingerbread Baby escapes, leading to a lively chase through the village. Jan Brett’s iconic illustrations and side panels give students lots to observe and infer as the story unfolds. With rich vocabulary and detailed illustrations, adding this to your gingerbread read alouds is a must! It’s a great text for teaching students how to determine importance.
You can grab ready to go lessons for teaching this reading strategy with Gingerbread Baby right HERE.
In this humorous twist on the gingerbread tale, the Cookie Man escapes — but soon discovers he isn’t sweet like a traditional holiday cookie. What is he made of? With the help of the Fox, he finds out he’s meant to be something entirely different. This story has a heartwarming message about embracing who you were created to be! It’s a great addition to your gingerbread read alouds for teaching compare and contrast (with gingerbread man) or making predictions!
Every year when we read about the Gingerbread Man, the girls in my class would always ask “why is it a man and not a woman?” They are pleasantly surprised when I pull this book out from my gingerbread read alouds stash. In this story, the Gingerbread Girl is quick, clever, and determined not to fall for the same tricks that trapped her brother. Students absolutely love her confidence and creativity as she faces challenges head-on.
Use this story to compare and contrast characters, talk about character traits, and make inferences!
This familiar story features the classic runaway Gingerbread Man, a predictable pattern kids love, and the sly fox who makes an appearance near the end. It’s a perfect foundation story for any gingerbread unit and would be perfect to start your gingerbread fun!
It’s a great read aloud for teaching and practicing sequencing stories.
When a class’s gingerbread man gets left behind, he sets out through the school to find his students. He visits the nurse, the principal, the gym, and more. The rhyme and rhythm keep students engaged from start to finish. This read aloud is great for teaching making predictions and comparing and contrasting characters across stories.
We loved doing this activity and then having our very own gingerbread man loose at school! In my gingerbread printable bundle, there are printable cards that lead you on a chase around school!
These gingerbread read alouds and activities work beautifully during whole group instruction. As we are getting more and more familiar with science of reading research, which is a VERY GOOD THING, we are forgetting about read alouds. Reading aloud to kids has numerous benefits! It helps them fall in love with reading and learn how enjoyable reading truly is!
These gingerbread read alouds will help you create meaningful, joyful lessons all season long. With two full lesson plans and four sets of coordinating printables already done for you, you can enjoy a magical December without the extra prep!
Want to use the latest research to boost your readers during small groups? This FREE guide is packed with engaging ideas to help them grow!
I’m a K-1 teacher who is passionate about making lessons your students love and that are easy to implement for teachers. Helping teachers like you navigate their way through their literacy block brings me great joy. I am a lifelong learner who loves staying on top of current literacy learning and practices. Here, you’ll find the tools you need to move your K-2 students forward!
