Games and storysacks
Language games are an important part
of an early reading programme and
can extend a variety of literacy
skills. They provide an ideal vehicle
for parents to support their children
and are a lot of fun!
Games that might be included in a
storysack are:
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Bingo
Snap
Happy families
Phonic games
Matching
Jigsaws
Spot the difference
Sequencing
Wordsearch
Board games etc
Storysacks Planning Sheet
Book:
Main Characters:
Artefacts:
Non Fiction Book:
Audio-tape:
Game:
Parent Prompt Ideas:
Other information:
Storysacks – design and making tips
 Make as many items as washable as possible.
 Use sturdy card that will not bend in a sack.
 Do not make flimsy items that may easily get
damaged.
 Try not to include tiny pieces that will quickly
get lost.
 Store items within the sack in smaller bags
labelled with their contents.
 Use permanent inks.
 Cover all cards with fablon or get them
laminated.
 Include a contents list.
How can you enjoy the book together?
 Talk about the book – discuss the cover, title, author,
layout
 Ask what they like about the book
 What can they remember about the book
 Read the story aloud
 Talk about the illustrations
 Act out the story with the artefacts
 “What do you think will happen next?”
 Point to the words with your fingerAsk your child to turn
the pages
 Focus on certain letters
 Ask “ What has happened so far?”
 Ask “Which was your favourite part?” and “Why?”
MAKE IT FUN!!!!!!!!!
Storysacks – Artifacts
Home Activity
Date:
Activity: List the main artifacts and soft toys etc you are
intending on putting in the storysack and explain their
purpose.
Artifacts
Purpose/relevance to
storysack
What do I need to make Storysacks?
 ENTHUSIASM – lots of it!!!!!
 TIME – not as much as you might think, though
I warn you they can become addictive
 IDEAS – for games, activities, things to make
and how to make them
 A STORYSACK MENTALITY – this means you
are now addicted! It happens when you don’t
throw anything away without first considering if
it might be useful for a Storysack!
The really good news is that, because you will be
working together, what one person hasn’t got one
week, another person will have! This is especially
true of ideas and enthusiasm!
What does a storysack contain?
 A cloth string pull bag
 A young child’s fiction picture
book
 A non-fiction book relating to a
theme in the picture book
 Soft toy main characters
 Artefacts relating to objects
found in the story
 A language game based on the
story
 An audio tape of the story
 A parent prompt with suggested
ideas for parent/child interactive
reading