Materials

• Chart paper or picture story paper
• Markers, crayons, and pencils
• Optional: Tape recorder and cassette

1. Read the book Sammy and the Dinosaurs to the children. Engage the children in a discussion about the book. How did Sammy feel about his dinosaurs? Did Sammy's dinosaurs look like plastic dinosaurs or did they look alive? Ask the children if they have ever imagined that their toys were alive. Encourage them to share their answers.
    
   
2. Explain to the children that they will make a group story about "The day toys came alive." Have children think about where the setting of their story will be i.e. toy store, their home, school, etc.
    
   
3. Choose an opening sentence for the story like " Once upon a time, while we were taking a nap..." Invite each child to build onto the story. Record the children's story on chart paper or large sheets of story paper, leaving space for the children to include illustrations. The story can also be recorded onto a cassette and later written onto large paper. Reread the completed story to the children. Encourage the children to create a title for their story.
    
   
4. Provide children with the pages of the story and invite one or two children to create illustrations. Children can make additional drawings. Invite interested children to make a cover. Organize the pages of the story and the additional illustrations to make a Big Book or wall display, or classroom story mural. Include the tape-recorded version of the story in your listening area.