Mo Willems has authored many famous books that children love to read. He has made characters into lovable classroom names. A lot of classrooms purchase his books, in their series sets or individually, to add to their own growing libraries. These humorous books get students to read because of the engaging writing and storytelling. The cartoon-style characters go on simple adventures with straightforward text but Mo Willem's spin on these stories makes these books memorable.
1. A New Friend
Your preschool students can think of and design a new friend for their favorite characters. Piggle and Gerald are in need of a new friend! Can I Play Too is about friends and inclusivity, even when it is hard. They can really get creative with this activity!
Learn More: Ideas Demco
2. Pigeon Hand Print
Get the paint out and create this adorable craft. The parents of your students will receive a beautiful and literary-based gift that they will remember forever. This is based on the series of books that star the pigeon in a lot of Mo Willems' stories.
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3. Letter B Craft
Most students are still learning about letters and sounds in preschool. This B is for Bus craft is perfect for students to associate the letter b with the word bus. Add this craft to your list of ideas of projects to work on based on Mo Willem's books.
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4. Don't Let The Pigeon...
Your preschool classroom is a very creative space. There are no limits to the ideas your students will come up with to finish the sentence "Don't let the pigeon drive...". You can even laminate and bind the pages to make a book out of their hard work.
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5. Pigeon Head Band
How cute are these? They look just like the pigeon! All of your students wearing these headbands will encourage a fantastic photo opportunity in your pre-K classroom. Add to the experience of listening to these delightful stories by wearing these headbands!
Learn More: Teaching Mama
6. Paper Plate Piggies
Project ideas like these do not take long to complete and use simple materials that you probably already have in your classroom or at home. These paper plate crafts of Piggie and Gerald make reading come to life. Each student can make their own set.
Learn More: Glued To My Crafts Blog
7. Ice cream Games
Take your students' favorite stories and add to the learning. This is a letter-matching ice cream game that your students can play after reading the book "Should I Share My Ice Cream?" which stars Mo Willem's characters: Piggie and Gerald.
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8. The Body Game
This activity is cooperative, works on the social skill of sharing, and teaches your young learners about shapes. It will help teach them how to identify shapes and the proper names for them too. They will be able to build their very own characters!
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9. Face Cut Outs
This idea is absolutely spectacular because it will create photos and memories that will last. These face cutouts allow students to actually rest their faces in the cutout holes and it looks like they are right in Mo Willems's story.
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10. Gerald and Piggie Masks
You can purchase masks like these if you have some money to spare or your students can simply make their own handheld masks to use. They can wear them while you read them a Piggie and Gerald story and you can wear one as well!
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
11. Counting Game
This activity requires some sort of small math manipulatives. It will teach your young learners how to count and is perfect for any math center that you might be looking to update. How many manipulatives are on the pigeon? How many fell outside onto the table?
Learn More: Pre-Kinders
12. Find That Pigeon
Including memorable characters like these in classroom lessons definitely make them more fun and engaging. This is a themed task on a classic game where your students must guess which bus cup the pigeon is hiding in. You can have them take turns!
Learn More: Activity Mom
13. Felt Manipulation
Fine motor skills and creativity take center stage here. Your children will work on building these popular characters created by Mo Willems out of felt. Be sure to prepare this activity beforehand by cutting out the felt pieces for them.
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14. Piggie and Gerald Puppets
You can make these puppets come to life by putting your hand into the bags that are attached to the bottom of these puppets. You can have your students color and assemble these puppets for themselves while you take care of the printing and cutting.
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15. Pigeon Party
Hosting a pigeon party would be so much fun! You can even include play dough in the list of activities the guests will do and they can build these popular characters. There are a few characters to pick from but they might want to make them all!
Learn More: Finding Zest
16. Counting Chocolate Chips
This is another math game based on one of the books. The duckling is up to no good when he tries to get that chocolate chip cookie. Your students can count the chocolate chips on a premade cookie or they can make their own and tell you about the amount.
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17. Alphabet Bus Game
Another literacy game that can be utilized after you read one of these books is this one here. You will need a few materials but learning what will happen at the activity is worth it. They will associate sounds with letters and work on identifying the onset of words.
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18. Paper Tube Craft
It's time to use up some of that recycling you have been saving for classroom crafts. These paper tube characters are adorable and can be placed on the student's desks so they will always be reminded of their favorite storybook characters.
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19. Slime Jars
A lot of children are interested in slime, whether they mix it themselves or purchase it somewhere else. They can decorate the outside of these slime-filled jars with the elements of Piggie and Gerald's faces.
Learn More: Finding Zest
20. Piggie and Gerald Pumpkins
This activity is perfect for around fall and Halloween time as it uses pumpkins. If your school is having a pumpkin decorating contest, this unique entry will definitely surprise the people in your school. Students can participate in the design too!
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