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ADAM LEHRHAUPT

Turn Any Picture Book Into a Fun, Engaging Classroom Activity 

Posted by Adam Lehrhaupt

January 21, 2025

Tinicum Elementary School Visit

Let’s be honest: we’ve all seen it before—a child gripping a picture book, eyes wide, hanging on every page flip. But have you ever thought about how much more a picture book could do than just entertain? In your hands, it can become a powerful teaching tool. Take WARNING: DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOK! by ME (Adam Lehrhaupt). Sure, it’s a hilarious, chaotic, monkey-infused romp, but with the right approach, it’s also a gateway to hands-on learning, deep discussions, and critical thinking.

In this post, we’ll explore how you can take any picture book—using WARNING: DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOK! as our case study—and turn it into a full-fledged classroom adventure. We’ll keep things light, but make no mistake, these activities are designed for serious learning. Let’s get ready to turn the page (but, you know, only when we’re sure it’s safe!).

Story Elements as Teaching Tools: Chaos as a Classroom Asset?

If you’ve ever read WARNING: DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOK! aloud to a group of eager students, you already know it’s like having a circus at storytime. Every page screams don’t turn me, but let’s face it: the first thing every child (or adult, let’s be honest) wants to do is flip that page. Monkeys escape, toucans wreak havoc, and somewhere an alligator is lurking. But wait—there’s more than just silliness here.

Picture books like this one are goldmines for exploring key story elements. If I don’t mind saying so, and I think we all know I don’t, WARNING: DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOK! is practically a masterclass in cause and effect. Every action (turning the page) leads to another hilarious consequence. As educators, you can leverage this playful structure to delve into character motivations and narrative tension, even with younger students. For older students, it becomes a lesson in narrative control—why does the narrator lose control of the story, and what could they have done differently?

So what’s the big idea? With younger students, you’ll want to focus on recognizing characters and actions—think monkeys = trouble, toucans = more trouble, alligator = total disaster. Older students? Push them to examine how the narrator’s attempts to maintain control fall apart. The chaos is the lesson. And the best part? You don’t need to tell them that. Let them figure it out as they’re turning those pages (maybe against your “wishes”).

Applying the Concept: From Chaos to Classroom Mastery

You might be thinking: “Sure, the book is fun, but how do I use it to teach?” Don’t worry—there’s method to this madness! Whether your students are tiny first graders just learning how to sequence a story or experienced fifth graders diving into plot analysis, this book adapts to all ages like a chameleon (or a mischievous monkey).

For younger students (Grades K-2), keep it simple but interactive. After reading the book aloud, have them draw the animals they’ve encountered and create a sequence chart: “What happened first? What came next? How did it end (or did it)?” This helps reinforce narrative sequencing in a visual, engaging way. You might even add a bit of drama (and who doesn’t love a bit of drama?) by acting out scenes—have a student play the narrator, trying desperately to keep everyone from turning the pages.

For older students (Grades 3-5), push their thinking further. Challenge them to write alternate endings: What if the monkeys never escaped? Or better yet, what if all the animals escaped at once? Could they come up with a solution to get them back into the book? Encourage creative problem-solving through narrative. For the true pros in your class, consider a group project where they storyboard new plotlines or even debate the narrator’s strategy (or lack thereof).

It’s about guiding them from the joy of reading into critical thinking without them even realizing it. Like sneaking vegetables into mac and cheese—it’s all learning, and they’ll love it!

Tools and Tips for Implementation: No More Passive Storytime!

You already know that keeping students engaged means keeping them active—mentally and physically. So, let’s make sure you’ve got the right tools to turn this picture book into a full-on lesson that goes beyond sitting and listening.

First up: visual aids. For your younger students, simple, effective tools like storyboards and cut-and-paste worksheets can make a huge difference. If your students are more hands-on (and let’s face it, who isn’t in first grade?), give them materials to draw and label their favorite parts of the story. Or better yet, have them design warning signs for the book: “Don’t open this book because…” What creative reasons might they come up with?

For your older students, the tools shift slightly. While drawing and storytelling are still key, challenge them to think critically about the narrative with writing prompts. Encourage them to dissect character motivation: “Why do the monkeys want to escape in the first place?” And for the tech-savvy classrooms, digital tools like Canva or even simple slide decks can let students collaborate on creating new plotlines, designing alternate covers, or even filming a book trailer for their version of the story.

And here’s a pro tip (you knew it was coming): incorporate feedback loops. Especially for older students, peer review can be incredibly powerful. Let them share their rewritten endings or storyboards with classmates and provide constructive feedback. Not only does this deepen their understanding of storytelling, but it also fosters collaboration and communication skills. And if you really want to keep things fun, throw in a few acting props (monkey masks, anyone?) to bring their stories to life.

Variations and Advanced Applications: Let’s Stretch Those Creative Muscles!

Alright, you’ve nailed the basics. But what if you’re ready to take things to the next level? Picture books—especially interactive ones like WARNING: DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOK!—are perfect for integrating across subjects and challenging your students to think beyond the narrative.

Cross-curricular integration is the name of the game here. Imagine using the animals in the story as a jumping-off point for science lessons. Where do monkeys live in the wild? How about toucans? How does the ecosystem support them? Older students could create mini-research projects on the animals and tie those findings back to the story. Maybe the monkeys escaped the book because they’re trying to get back to their natural habitat—can your students help them figure out how?

Another advanced application? Social-emotional learning (SEL). It’s not just about the plot—it’s about the emotions, too. Why do the characters act the way they do? How does the narrator feel as things spiral out of control? Take time to talk about frustration, excitement, and problem-solving. Encourage students to imagine how they’d handle the situation if they were the narrator (or one of the chaotic animals). This not only deepens their engagement with the text but also helps them develop empathy and emotional intelligence.

And for your top-tier students? Challenge them to break down the story on a meta level. Why does the author use this structure? How does breaking the “fourth wall” engage the reader differently than a traditional narrative? You’d be surprised how perceptive students can be when given the opportunity to analyze the author’s intent.

Picture Books are Power Tools (When You Use Them Right!)

At the end of the day, picture books like WARNING: DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOK! are more than just a fun read—they’re versatile teaching tools that can introduce students to key literacy concepts, problem-solving techniques, and social-emotional learning. By making use of interactive, hands-on activities, you can turn a simple book into a dynamic classroom experience that spans multiple subjects and skills.

Next time you pick up a picture book, don’t just stop at reading. Think about how you can stretch the story into your lessons, your activities, and your classroom discussions. Whether you’re challenging first graders to sequence events or asking fifth graders to critique the narrator’s decision-making, there’s no limit to how far a picture book can take you. So go ahead—turn that page. (But don’t say I didn’t warn you!)

Call to Action: Ready to make your next storytime unforgettable? Download the free resources we’ve created to help you design your own hands-on activities and get started. And don’t forget—share your experiences in the comments below or with your fellow educators. The more ideas we swap, the more creative our classrooms will be!

Activities List

  • Beginners (Grade K-1):
    • Suggested Activities:
      • Draw and label their favorite animals from the book.
      • Arrange story events in the correct order using a sequencing template.
      • Quick Tip: Focus on visual aids to help young learners.
      • Fun Twist: Have students act out their favorite scene in pairs.
  • Intermediate (Grade 1-2):
    • Suggested Activities:
      • Create custom “warning” signs for the book.
      • Brainstorm new ways to catch the animals and present solutions.
    • Quick Tip: Break students into small groups for creative collaboration.
    • Bonus Tip: Let students build traps for the animals using classroom materials like blocks or paper.
  • Advanced (Grade 2-3):
    • Suggested Activities:
      • Write short stories about what happens after the animals are released.
      • Collaboratively create a class storybook with unique endings.
    • Quick Tip: Encourage students to work on dialogue to build character depth.
    • Extra Challenge: Write an entirely new “warning” book with original animals and challenges.
  • Pros (Grade 3-4):
    • Suggested Activities:
      • Create a storyboard of the book’s plot, illustrating key moments and adding new ones.
      • Work in pairs to create a dialogue between the narrator and the animals, debating whether to keep the book open or closed.
    • Quick Tip: Use brainstorming sessions to help students come up with creative dialogue and alternative plotlines.
    • Energy Boost: Let students take turns playing the role of narrator and animals, acting out their dialogue with props like monkey masks or an imaginary book.
  • Masters (Grade 4-5):
    • Suggested Activities:
      • Write an alternative version of the book where the animals stay contained. Explore the consequences of different choices.
      • Design their own “Do Not Open” book, complete with a creative problem, animals, and a solution for their peers to solve.
    • Quick Tip: Let students take the lead in developing their stories, providing guidance when necessary.
    • Out-of-the-Box Idea: Challenge students to write the story from the animals’ point of view—how do they feel about being trapped in the book? Should they ever be let out?

Comments

Melvin Lomibao says:

January 27, 2025 at 10:15 pm

Awesome