“The Very Busy Spider”

Storytelling Wheels

Here’s What
Happened . . .

Diane Henderson
 FYI “The Very Busy Spider” Storytelling Wheel

After you read “The Very Busy Spider”, all you

have to do to grab your students’ attention once
again, is share your wheel as a review, then ask
“Who’d like to make one? Woo hoo for excited
enthusiasm!

Storytelling wheels are a quick, easy & fun way to

help practice the “retelling & sequencing a story”
standards.

There are full color patterns to use for an

independent center, as well as quickly and easily
make a sample to share; plus black and white patterns, so your students can
make their own.

When everyone is done with their wheel, take a moment to retell the tale as
a whole group. Everyone turns their wheel so that the “busy spider on the
fence” picture is showing through the “window”. Call on a student to explain
what’s going on in that picture. Ask, “Is this the beginning, middle or end of
the story” as children turn & tell.

To reinforce the lesson further, encourage students to “show & share” their
wheels with their family, retelling the story once again.

I also have my students pick a partner and take turns

retelling the story to each other, using their wheels. Here’s What
A child starts by explaining the 1st graphic, then Happened . . .
their partner tells about the next and so on.

Sometimes we do this with our older, reading buddies.

For writing practice, and to check comprehension,

have students complete the “Here’s What Happened”
 writing prompt worksheet, then color it.

You can do this as a whole-group discussion with little ones, using the
colorful pattern.

I sometimes do this on the board, using a dry erase marker. Children tell me
a beginning part of the story, then I write it down, modeling what I want
them to do.

Since the wheel is cut into 6 equal parts, if you’re studying fractions, be
sure and take a teachable moment to review that vocabulary and information
too.
Name:

For more reinforcement, as well as another

Let’s sequence “The Very Busy Spider”
Color, cut and glue the graphics in the correct order that they appeared in the story.

First way to assess comprehension, I’ve also

included a “color, cut & glue” sequencing
Last

worksheet.

There’s a simplified version where the

graphics are in order, as well as a worksheet
TeachWithMe.com
where the pictures are all mixed up.

Use the larger, colorful pattern for a whole group activity with younger
kiddos, then place in your literacy center, so students can visit and
independently arrange the pieces.

I print an extra colorful copy and laminate it, without cutting out the pieces,
so that students can self-check their work.

I hope your students enjoy making a storytelling wheel as much as mine do.

Wishing you a fun-filled time, as your students are busily and

happily engaged; caught in a wonderful web of learning.
“The Very Busy Spider” Story Wheel Directions

I find that if the graphics are too small, my

students tend to scribble with just one color
crayon.
With that in mind, I designed two wheels for
this craftivity. Each one has 6 sections, with
nice size pictures.

Students color the graphics on their pie

wheels, as well at the top cover, with the
spider on it.

They write their name in one

of the sections of the web.

Students then cut out all 3 circles. On the cover, they snip
along the dashed lines to cut out the “window”.

Place the cover face down.

Place the 1st graphic circle face down on top of the cover.
This one is a bit smaller than the cover.
Adjust so that it’s centered.

I’ve held my pattern in front of a lamp so you can

see the X in the middle. Note that the edges of
the top pie slice “window”, match up to the edges
of the bottom triangular “slice”.

Using a protractor or toothpick poke a hole in the

center.

Holding both together, flip back over.

If you don’t use card stock for the cover of your

wheel, you can also poke the hole from the front, as you
can see through the white copy paper.

Insert a brass brad. I use the SHORT brads as they are

easier for little ones to manipulate, and less chance that
they will use them as a “sword” or poking instrument.
(Been there; done that. So just an FYI for the reasons
why I do things the way I do.)

Flip back over and

spread the prongs
down.

Your wheel is done;

and you’re ready to
retell the story.

When you finish

talking about the pig,
then unfasten the
brad, and insert the
2nd wheel.

I’ve discovered that it’s easier to hold the

wheel in your left hand.

Pinch just the TOP cover with your left hand.

Turn the wheel UP by
pinching the BOTTOM
wheel with your right
hand.

You can diddle around with what’s easiest for you, but
I’ve discovered that showing my Y5s (4’s turning 5) how
to hold it this way, truly was easiest for them.
“The Very Busy
Spider” Storytelling
Wheels

There are quite a

few characters in
this story.

Instead of cramming
them all on a 12-
sectioned wheel,
made up of tiny
graphics, I designed
two wheels; each
with 6 sections, with
easy-to-color
graphics.

Children retell the

story with the first
wheel, then unfasten
the brass brad and
insert their second
wheel.
The Very Busy Spider storytelling wheel. TeachWithMe.com

Teacher’s copy
Cut out the web.
Cut out the “pie slice” section.

The
Very Busy
Spider
The Very Busy Spider Wheel ONE

Teacher’s copy
The Very Busy Spider Wheel TWO

Teacher’s copy
The Very Busy Spider storytelling wheel. TeachWithMe.com

Dolor the spider.

Cut out the web.
Cut out the “pie slice” section.

The
Very Busy
Spider
The Very Busy Spider Wheel ONE

Color & cut out the circle.

Line up the “pie slice” opening, to the opening cut in the cover.
Poke a hole through both pieces and attach with a brass brad.
Retell the story by turning your story wheel.
When you’ve completed the 1st half of the story, take out the wheel and put in the
2nd wheel, then finish telling the tale.
The Very Busy Spider Wheel TWO
Name:
Let’s sequence “The Very Busy Spider”
Color, cut and glue the graphics in the correct order that they appeared in the story.

First

Last

TeachWithMe.com
Name:
Let’s sequence “The Very Busy Spider”
Oh No! The pieces are all mixed up. Color, cut and glue the graphics in the correct order that they appeared in the story.

First

Last

TeachWithMe.com
Let’s Sequence!

A whole group
activity.

Use during & after

the reading of the
story.

Later, keep in a
ZipLock Baggie in
your literacy center,
so that students can
sequence on their
own.

I make an extra page

of the tiles, but
don’t cut them apart;
this way, students
can self- check after
they’ve finished
sequencing.

There’s a smaller,
black & white
worksheet for
students to complete
on their own.
• Print laminate and cut out the pieces.
• Attach a magnet dot or Velcro dot on the back so that you can attach to a white board or a flannel board.
• I also number the pieces on the back.
• Pass out to your students.
• Children can sequence while you tell the story.
• When you get to that page in the book, pause “Who has the horse?” that child comes up and puts it in the appropriate square.
• Afterwards, pass the pieces out to different students. See if children can sequence the story from memory.
• Take that teachable moment to teach/reinforce ordinal numbers too.
 Let’s Sequence
The Very Busy Spider
First

Last
 Let’s Sequence
The Very Busy Spider
First

Last
Here’s What
Happened . . .
Here’s What
Happened . . .
Here’s What
Happened . . .

Name:
I found an animated version of the story. This is a nice way to finish
your own very busy day.

The Very Busy Spider

Animation of the book on You Tube

https://yhoo.it/2wv5h9b

3:48
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