The Fairy Queen: Link to Buy

Lesson Ideas: Junior Infants to 2nd Class.

A School Fairy Garden 

• Encourage the children to work together to create a miniature fairy garden or tree in your school using natural materials like moss, stones, and twigs
• First, the children can search for the ideal location for the fairies to reside, either inside the classroom or outside in the schoolyard. Some ideas for a fairy home include the base of a tree or a hollow in the ground.
• Next, it's time to decorate and furnish the fairy home! The children will enjoy gathering stones to create paths and twigs to build fences. Ferns and other small plants can be added around the base of the tree. Ribbons can be tied to the branches, and a fairy door can be crafted from cardboard or wood to adorn a tree or wall.

Before reading the book:

1. Create a Magical Ambiance: Dim the classroom lights to create a sense of mystery and enchantment.

• Evoke Fairyland: Play soft, instrumental "Fairy Music" below to transport children's imaginations to a fantastical realm.

Guided Imagery: Ask children to close their eyes and imagine they are in a green forest where fairies dwell. Encourage them to visualize the sights, smells, and sounds of the forest.

Sensory Exploration: Lead a discussion about the sounds they might hear in a fairy forest (e.g., rustling leaves, birdsong, babbling brooks). Ask if they find these sounds pleasant or unsettling.

Introducing Magic: Play a sound effect of twinkling fairy dust. Ask children if they can think of any sounds that are similar (e.g., wind chimes, bells). Explain that this is the sound of a fairy using her magic. .

Reading the Story

• Focus on the Story: Gradually lower the volume of the music to shift attention to the story itself.

• Interactive Sound Effects: Instruct children to make the fairy dust sound whenever the fairy in the story uses her magic. This will encourage active participation and reinforce the magical elements of the story.

End of the Story

• Fairy Dance: Play lively music and encourage children to move like fairies, fluttering their wings and twirling around.

• Fairy Stories: Encourage children to write or tell their own fairy stories, incorporating magical elements and imaginative characters