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Activity for Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach

Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach

Written and illustrated by Melanie Watt
JK – Grade 3

“Scaredy Squirrel never goes to the beach. He’d rather vacation at home alone where it’s safe than risk being surrounded by the wrong crowd”.

Join Scaredy in his third adventure as he explains all the reasons he’s too afraid to go the real beach. Instead, Scaredy sets out to build his own “safe beach getaway”. But something’s wrong! He’s missing an important part of the beach. To get it, Scaredy is going to have to prepare for a trip to the real beach!

Parents, teachers, librarians, and children alike will love this third installment of Scaredy Squirrel stories. True to the Scaredy Squirrel pattern, there are loads of lists and warnings. From what to avoid and how, to what to wear and why, Scaredy gives us an exact step-by-step account of his fail-safe plan – which always incites giggles along the way.

Storytime Suggestions

Before the story...

Recite the Seashell Shush. This poem is an excellent quieting down activity, and a great lead-in to the story. Try bringing in an actual seashell to use as a prop.

One day a little shell washed up
(Pretend to hold a shell)

Out of the waves at sea.
I held the shell up to my ear,
(Pretend to hold a shell to your ear.)

And I heard it sing to me.
Shh…shh…shh…shh…
( Have the children repeat the shh sound.)

A little shell washed up one day,
And lay upon the sand.

(Pretend to hold a shell in your hand).

It sang a song about the sea,
As I held it in my hand.
Shh…shh…shh…shh…

Some Questions...

Ask the children what the beach is? Where is it? What might you see at the beach? What do you do at the beach? When do you go to the beach? What do you like about the beach? What’s the best part? Is there anything you don’t like about the beach? What’s the worst part?
Show them the cover of the story and ask them what they think the story might be about.
If the children are familiar with Scaredy Squirrel, ask them what they think he might be afraid of at the beach.

During the story...

The story opens with a “WARNING!” “Scaredy Squirrel insists that everyone put on No. 65 sunscreen before reading the book.” Have the whole class join in as you pretend to apply sunscreen. Don’t forget your ears or the back of your neck!
Ask the class what else you might want to put on to help protect you from the sun. Pretend to put on sunglasses and sunhats. [If you like working with props, you may want to consider actually wearing a sunhat and hang some sunglasses around your neck.]
For older grades, try having one copy of the book available for every three children. Let the children follow along with their own copy as you read aloud.
When introducing the “wrong crowds”, ask the children what they think of these ‘gangs’. Are they afraid of seagulls? What about coconuts? Have they ever seen a pirate or a sea monster at the beach?
When looking at Scaredy Squirrel’s “Guide to Building a Safe Beach,” ask the children what they think the flashlight will be used for. What about the kitty litter?
Read Scaredy’s Passport out loud. Ask the children if they know what S.O.S. means. Say the answer [HELP!] with lots of exaggeration and comic effect.
When Scaredy explains that the last part of the plan is to “travel light and dress accordingly” ask the children what they think is proper beachwear. What do they wear to the beach? Follow this with Scaredy’s exhibit of “beachwear”.
Remember to follow the text’s cues. Allow the volume of your voice to match the size of the text. CROWD!!?? PEOPLE!!??
When people appear, the page gets very crowded. Ask the children to see if they can find Scaredy in the picture. Choose someone to point him out.
Ask children if there is anything special about the picture of Scaredy Squirrel after he’s been lying in the sand for 2 hours. The Answer? The shell he’s out to get is right on top of him!
When Scaredy does finally decide to join the crowd, have the children point out the various safety gear Scaredy has on. Where’s his passport?
Finally, don’t forget to point out the “RED ALERT” on the last page. How do you think Scaredy will react when he realizes he brought home more from the beach than he bargained for?

At the end of the story...

Ask the children what Scaredy learned. Did he get over his fears? How?
Was there actually anything to be afraid of? Did he even see any pirates or sea monsters or lobsters or jellyfish at the beach?
Have they ever thought they were afraid of something and then realized they weren’t scared after all? What was it? How did they get over their fear?
If you’d like to segue into another story but need to give the children a break. Try this action packed song to the tune of The Wheels on the Bus. Make sure to use lots of action, and have the children stand up. Try repeating verses very slowly, or really fast.

The sharks in the sea go
Chomp, chomp, chomp
Chomp, chomp, chomp
Chomp, chomp, chomp
The sharks in the sea go,
Chomp, chomp, chomp
All day long.

Additonal verses:

Lobsters in the sea – pinch, pinch, pinch
Jellyfish in the sea – bloop, bloop, bloop
Crabs in the sea – click, click, click
Octopus in the sea – wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
Clam in the sea – open and shut
Sea horse in the sea – rocks back and forth
Whale in the sea – squirt, squirt, squirt
Fish in the sea – swim, swim, swim

Related Activities

Scaredy Squirrel Drawing

Use the attached template or provide children with blank art paper to draw their own picture of Scaredy Squirrel at the beach.
Make as many art supplies available as suitable. However, crayons, markers, and coloured pencils will work best for this activity.
Allow children to look through the book for inspiration, or they can simply use their memory and imagination!

Beach Frames

These picture frames are fun at any time of year, but make a great day-trip in the summer. It it’s the right time of year, take your children to the beach and collect your favourite small, smooth pebbles, shells, and washed glass. Be sure any glass is completely worn and smoothed. At other times of the year you can easily buy small pebbles, shells, and other beach-inspired decorations from your local craft store.

Materials

Large popsicle sticks (4 per child)
Construction paper (any colour)
Hot glue gun or strong craft glue
Decorations (shells, pebbles, washed glass, beads, etc).

Directions

Place two of the popsicle sticks vertically on a flat service.
Apply glue to both tips of each stick.
Lay the other two popsicle sticks horizontally on top, creating a horizontal frame.
Trace the size of the frame onto a piece of construction paper, reducing the edges slightly to avoid unsightly overlap.
Apply glue to both sides and the bottom of the rectangle of the construction paper, but leave the top glue-free, this is where you will slide your photo in.
Attach the construction paper backing to the popsicle stick frame.
Decorate the frame by gluing your “beach treasures’ in place.
When complete slide in your favourite beach photo or a drawing of Scaredy Squirrel!

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