Did you hear the one about the elephant who became a national treasure…?
Children and adults all over the UK are familiar with David McKee’s Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. We’re particularly fond of his talent for making his friends smile and laugh! That’s why, every year in may, bookshops and libraries will be celebrating Elmer Day.
What is Elmer Day?
The very first Elmer Day came about as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of children’s publishing house, Andersen Press. The anniversary events took place at book lovers’ world-renowned Hay Festival on Saturday May 28th 2016.
Andersen created ‘party packs’ based on the work of author-illustrator David McKee. Through this they created new traditions which have helped pupils, teachers and families to rediscover their love of children’s stories.
This year, hundreds of bookshops and libraries are holding Elmer Day events, and schools are also encouraged to take part. At Hand Made Places we think this is a wonderful chance for teachers to use outdoor storytelling to inspire much more than nostalgia…
What’s so special about Elmer?
Storytelling is a vital part of child development which should be encouraged in school as well as at home. With over 4.5 million copies sold in the UK alone, the Elmer stories are an obvious choice for this task; they’ve been proven to be highly successful again and again.
It’s not just about literacy, it’s also about the ability to process audible information. Furthermore, regular and varied story time helps to develop a broader vocabulary, not to mention imagination!
The commercial success of McKee’s books is not the only reason to include them in structured story time. Have a think back to the original Elmer story…
DID YOU KNOW?
David McKee was inspired to create Elmer when his daughter was afraid that her race made her stand out.
Elmer is not just a story about a vibrant character; it’s about someone who thinks he should make himself look like everyone else before realising it’s better to be himself.
That’s why we agree that a whole school day dedicated to the Elmer stories is such a good idea! The themes in the books are so relevant and so encouraging that adults should look at them in more detail.
An extended outdoor storytelling day gives children the comfort and freedom to discuss their reactions to the characters. This encourages empathy and dispels fears. It also makes the lesson far more memorable and engaging!
Get Involved
There are plenty of ways to enhance your Elmer Day celebrations. Inspired by the Outdoor Classroom Day campaign, we think this is the perfect opportunity to take lessons outside.
The most frequently chosen activities at bookshops and libraries are elements of this year’s resource pack. For example, Pin the Trunk on Elmer!
In addition to these fun activities, we think the best way to celebrate McKee’s books is to promote creativity and diverse self-expression.
Here are some of our favourite outdoor storytelling ideas for Elmer Day:
- Bright Clothes Day
Encourage children to wear their most colourful clothes with some wacky accessories… then get ready to parade. Remember, the bolder the better!
- Elmer Theatrics
Use bold clothing and an outdoor performance area to re-tell the Elmer story. Notes from your class discussions will help you to pick out individual scenes to perform. This way you can test comprehension skills without it feeling like a normal lesson. That means all pupils will really understand all the important messages of the story’s themes.
- Patchwork Art
Use an art lesson to learn all about patterns while providing a great sensory experience. Collect collage materials from around the school and playground and encourage small groups or individuals to each produce a colourful “patch”. You can assemble this artwork and display it under a covered outdoor area to stimulate imagination all week. This is also a great way to celebrate everyone’s creative input as every piece builds to a wonderful, personal design.
Sign Up Now!
Take a look back at our recent blogs if you’re interested in the possibilities of outdoor storytelling.
Don’t forget to claim your free resource pack from the Elmer Day website and let them know what you’ve got planned.