The Giant Jam Sandwich
by Janet Burroway

The Giant Jam Sandwich

Are you ready to embark on a scrumptious adventure with your little learners? "The Giant Jam Sandwich" is a delightful children's book that is sure to capture the hearts and imaginations of both kids and adults alike. Written by John Vernon Lord and Janet Burroway, this story serves up a generous helping of fun, creativity, and problem-solving, making it a perfect addition to any primary school classroom or home education setting.

In the quaint village of Itching Down, a swarm of wasps descends, causing chaos and distress among the townspeople. The solution? A massive, mouth-watering jam sandwich to trap the pesky intruders! As the villagers come together to bake this colossal treat, children are introduced to themes of teamwork, innovation, and community spirit. The rhythmic, rhyming text is not only enjoyable to read aloud but also helps young readers develop their phonemic awareness and listening skills.

But the fun doesn't stop at storytime! "The Giant Jam Sandwich" offers a plethora of hands-on activities to engage your students further. Why not try a collaborative art project where the kids create their own giant sandwich using craft materials? Or, whip up a batch of homemade jam together as a tasty science experiment. The book also provides ample opportunities for discussions about problem-solving and working together to achieve a common goal. So, grab your aprons and prepare to dive into this deliciously entertaining tale—your students are sure to be asking for second helpings!

Author: Janet Burroway

Janet was awarded the Florida Humanities Council's 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award in Writing, is the author of eight novels as well as short fiction, plays, poetry, essays, texts for dance, and children's books. Her Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft (tenth edition), is the most widely used creative writing text in America, and her multi-genre Imaginative Writing is out in a fourth edition. Her most recent novel is Bridge of Sand (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2009; Hopcyn Press, London, 2013) and her memoir Losing Tim was published in 2014 (Think Piece Publishers). Her play Parts of Speech won the Brink! award at the Renaissance Theatreworks, Milwaukee in 2015 and Boomerang, a modern female Lear was commissioned by Sideshow Theatre Company, Chicago, also in 2015.

Book Details:

  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
  • Format: Hardback
  • Print length: 32 pages
  • Dimensions: 26.67 x 0.64 x 33.02 cm
  • Reading age: 4 - 7 years old
  • Publication date: 23 April 2007
  • ISBN: 0618839526

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Does the story The Giant Jam Sandwich help reception children in Literacy?

Author: Janet Burroway

"The Giant Jam Sandwich" is a popular children's picture book that is often used in early years education, including Reception classes, to support literacy development. The book's engaging storyline and rhythmic verses make it an effective tool for teaching young children.

In educational settings, the book is used to help children practice reading important words and develop their literacy skills through interactive activities. For instance, children might write instructions related to the story, which encourages them to engage with the text and improve their writing skills. Additionally, reading the book aloud, especially with actions, can enhance children's listening and comprehension abilities while making the learning experience enjoyable.

"The Giant Jam Sandwich" is often used in early years education, particularly in Reception classes, to support literacy development. Here are some key points about how it's used:

  1. Interactive activities: Many schools use the book as a basis for hands-on activities. For example, children at Darwen St James' C of E Primary Academy made their own jam sandwiches after reading the story, discussing concepts like smell and how it attracts wasps.
  2. Literacy skills: The book is used to help children practice reading important words and develop writing skills. For instance, some activities involve writing instructions on how to make a jam sandwich.
  3. Storytelling and comprehension: The book's engaging storyline helps enhance children's listening and comprehension abilities.
  4. Sequencing: Some resources, like those from Windsor Hill Primary School, use the story for sequencing activities, which helps children understand narrative structure.
  5. Cross-curricular learning: The story is often integrated into broader themes, such as food and cooking, as seen in the Hamilton Trust resources.
  6. Visual literacy: The book's illustrations are noted as being particularly engaging, allowing children to discover new details each time they read it.
  7. Visual literacy: The book's illustrations are noted as being particularly engaging, allowing children to discover new details each time they read it.
  8. Long-term appeal: The book has been popular since its publication in 1972, suggesting it has enduring appeal for children and educators alike.

Overall, "The Giant Jam Sandwich" seems to be a versatile teaching tool that supports various aspects of literacy development in Reception children through its engaging story, illustrations, and associated activities.

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