Lighthouses

One of the favourite stories that we do in class is The Lighthouse Keepers Lunch. I have developed a story bag and plan that has been used many times with several groups. The main props that we use are:
A lighthouse (ours is made from our bubble tube - see photo)
Feely bags with plastic food and matching symbol
A rope (strung between a ladder and the lighthoue
A large basket
Rubber seagulls on sticks
A large puppet/doll for Mr Grinling
A toy cat and blanket
Mustard

                                                           (our bubble tube 'Lighthouse')

We tell the story and act it act using the props. Each child is given a feely bag with food in and they match it to a large symbol that is held up at the appropriate time in the story. When the child has matched their food it is placed in the basket. When the basket is full, it is slid along the rope. It stops halfway and we then 'fly' seagulls around the basket (rubber seagulls on threads tied to long canes). You can also play seagull sound effects.

Laater we add the cat, Hamish to the basket and repeat the seagulls. When the mustard sandwiches are added to the basket we pass around a pot of mustard to smell and see how yucky it is.

The children's favourite parts are: exploring the foods, flying the seagulls and watching the basket slide along the rope! We have repeated this many times and the children manage to stay focussed and interested throughout the story.