February 2023
SCAT THE CAT
File Folder Story
Materials: file folder, scissors, construction paper (2 black, 1 blue, 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green)
Directions: Use the cat pattern to cut a cat shape from the front of the file folder. Cut construction paper into 8” x 10” rectangles and insert inside the file folder in this order: black, blue, red, yellow, green, black. Tape the sides of the file folder and decorate the front with markers if you desire.
Hint! Glue the words of the story below to the back of the file folder to help you tell it.
Once there was a little black cat. (Hold up the file folder showing the black cat.) He was a magic cat because he could change his colors (snap fingers) just like that. All he had to say was:
CHORUS: I’m Scat the Cat. (Children join in on the chorus.)
I’m sassy and fat.
And I can change my colors
Just like that! (Snap fingers.)
One day Scat decided he was tired of being black. He wanted to be a new color so he said: CHORUS. (Remove the black sheet of paper to make the cat blue.) And he changed blue! Scat went down to the pond to look at himself in the water. Unfortunately, he fell in and he couldn’t swim. Timmy Turtle came along and helped Scat get back on shore.
Scat decided he didn’t want to be blue any more, so he said: CHORUS. (Remove the blue sheet of paper to make the cat red.) And he changed red. He went walking down the street and everybody started laughing at him. “Whoever heard of a red cat!” they said.
Scat decided he didn’t want to be red any more, so he said: CHORUS. (Remove the red sheet of paper to make the cat yellow.) And he changed yellow. Scat went walking in the woods and who did he run into but his cousin Leo the lion. “Grrrrrr!” roared Leo. “I’m the only cat who can be yellow.”
Scat decided he better not be yellow any more and he quickly said: CHORUS. (Remove the yellow sheet of paper to make the cat green.) Scat wanted to play with his brothers and sisters in the grass. He tried to play with them, but he was green like the grass and they couldn’t see him.
Scat decided he didn’t want to be blue, or red, or yellow, or green, so he said: CHORUS. (Remove the green sheet of paper to make the cat black.) Scat knew that being himself was the best thing to be. And do you know what? Being yourself is the best thing you can be, too. Because there’s nobody else exactly like you. And I like you just the way you are!
•Encourage the children to identify the rhyming words in the story.
•Review the sequence of the story.
•Have children discuss what makes them unique and special.
•Click here to download the pdf file Scat the Cat.
LETTER MONSTER
File Folder Story
This story is similar to “Scat the Cat” using alphabet letters. Trace around the monster pattern on the front of the file folder and cut it out. Write the alphabet letters in bold on paper. Place inside the file folder. Glue the story to the back of the folder. Remove one sheet of paper at a time as you tell the story.
Letter Monster wanted to read.
He thought if he ate letters, it was all he would need!
On Monday he ate A B C D E F.
Then he closed his eyes to get some sleep, but the pointy part of the “A”
kept poking his tummy and he couldn’t sleep a wink all night long.
On Tuesday he chomped G H I J K .
Then he closed his eyes to get some sleep, but “H” and “I” got together and made a word and he couldn’t sleep a wink all night long. “Hi! Hi! Hi!”
On Wednesday he nibbled on L M N O P.
Then he closed his eyes to get some sleep, but “O” kept rolling back and
forth in his tummy and he couldn’t sleep a wink all night long.
On Thursday he feasted on Q R S T U V.
Then he closed his eyes to get some sleep, but “S” kept playing snake
and going “SSSSSS” in his tummy, and he couldn’t sleep a wink all night long.
On Friday he swallowed W X Y Z.
Then he closed his eyes to get some sleep and he dreamed sweet “zzzzz’s” all night long.
Sweet dreams letter monster!
The Word Monster
(Adaptation by Mary Richards)
Make a similar story where the monster eats words. Insert paper and write the words in bold in his tummy.
The Word Monster wanted to read.
He thought if he ate words, it was all he would need!
On Monday he ate will.
“Mmmm…but I am hungry still.”
On Tuesday he chomped who.
“I like eating words, I do, I do!”
On Wednesday he nibbled on play.
“More words, more words is what I say!”
On Thursday he feasted on friend.
“I hope these yummy words never end!”
On Friday he gobbled make.
“I’m almost finished with what I can take.”
On Saturday he swallowed night.
“These words are so good, give me one more bite!”
On Sunday he slowly ate said.
Then he fell asleep in his warm cozy bed.
Now, Word Monster has all he needs.
Let’s see if you can help him read.
Word Monster’s Game - Write random words to be displayed in his tummy. Say this rhyme to play the game:
“Now let’s play Word Monster’s game.
How many words can you name?”
•Click here to download the pdf file for Word Monster.
