The Phantom Tollbooth- Synonym Buns

Synonym Buns

From the Phantom Tollbooth

by Norton Juster

This is a project I did first while teaching 3rd/4th grade. We were reading The Phantom Tollbooth, and at some point Milo eats a synonym bun while visiting Dictionopolis. I love doing this book with all kinds of grades, and it is a perfect read aloud because it is clever, funny and has a great vocabulary. My 3/4 graders will always know what it means to be stuck in the Doldrums now.

I really enjoyed this project specifically because the kids got into it, it helped with following directions, was a good independent activity and they looked great hanging up on the class bulletin board in the hall.


The steps:

1. Provide students with White, brown and assorted colored paper cut into half sheets.
               
2. Instruct students to cut out the cinnamon bun on the brown paper. They should draw the shape and then cut it out, trying to use as much of the paper as possible. (waste not want not)

3. Students that cut a swirl out of the white, which will be glued to the top of the cinnamon bun.

4. A plate should be cut out, for the synonym bun to sit on. I asked for short ovals and got some perspective talk in with this lesson.

5. Glue all pieces together and let dry.

6. On the plate the student writes the word that they will find synonyms for. My example being "Hot".

7. On the cream  students should write synonyms all the way from one end to the other. If it isn't filled up with synonyms it isn't finished!

Once they are done students turn in their work for hanging up or sharing!

There really is so much in this book I hope you'll find time to share at least part of it with your kids. I'll be posting more about it's values in teaching math, science and even some history as this blog goes along. Until then be sure to stick near the sea of knowledge and avoid the mountains of ignorance!