Blue’s Clues in School or the Library – Chase March

I am so excited that Blue’s Clues is back on television. It has a new host and a new title, Blue’s Clues and You, but it is just as great as it has always been.

I wrote this lesson plan for a program I plan to deliver at the public library. I knew if I was excited about it, the kids would be too.

I hope you will find it useful for your library or classroom.

Learning Goals

To develop critical thinking and inquiry skills
To practice language and listening skills

Resources

Handy-Dandy notebook (photocopied fold book for each patron)
Crayons, paw print sticky notes or cut-outs
Blue’s Clues Doodles (PDF file for librarian)
Easel, chart paper, or whiteboard for drawing clues
Mailbox template, card stock, Pre-written letter
Lesson Plan (PDF file)

Pre-Activity

Hide clues around the library for ‘Find the Paw Prints” game.

Easel Board Game

Using the puzzle sheet “Blue’s Clues Doodles”, pick one of the activities and draw the first clue on the easel board. Ask the patrons what they think Blue wants to do based on the picture. (i.e. picture of a ball = play basketball). If someone gets the answer right away, that is great. If not, present the second clue (i.e. a net). Ask the patrons, “What do you think Blue wants to do with a ball and a net?” If they still don’t know, draw the third clue on the easel (a racket). Ask, “What does Blue want to do with a ball, a net, and a racket?” Hopefully someone will say “tennis!” If not, give them prompts such as “Maybe Blue can hold the racket and hit the ball, but what about the net?” This should get them thinking about hitting the ball over the net and you can lead them to the name of the sport – tennis!

Find the Paw Prints

Before the activity started, you hid clues around the library. You can colour code the clues so you can have patrons work in small groups to find three of their specified colour. When they find each clue, the need to draw a picture of what it was on and then take the clue off the item. Once they have found all three, they can then solve the puzzle, “What does Blue want to do with all three of these items?” and check to see if they are right by asking the librarian.

Crafts

Patrons will make a mailbox that they can take home. This is done with a template. They can also complete a Blue’s Clues colouring sheet if they finish early.

Mail

Once you have completed the mailbox example, show that there is a letter in it. Sing the “We Just Got a Letter Song” and read it aloud. Encourage the patrons and their family members to write letters to each other at home.

Sorting Game

Patrons sort picture cards according to rules. This will take some preparation time.

Continue Playing Blue’s Clues at Home

Give each patron a handy-dandy notebook and a sheet of paw-prints they can take with them to play Blue’s Clues at home. Instruct the parents that they can find three things that work together somehow, put a paw print on them, ask their children to find the items, draw them in the notebook, and then figure out how the items go together or what “Blue wants to do” with all three items. For example, if the clues were a towel, sunscreen, and flip-flops – Blue wants to go to the beach or the pool. Have fun!

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