Where Is my Red Crayon?
by Susan M. Dailey
Color the patterns. Cut pieces of tag board one inch taller than the pieces of furniture to create flaps. Fold down the top inch to create a tab. Glue the tab to a piece of foam core board. Then glue the furniture to the flaps. Under the appropriate flaps, glue the pieces of clothing and the crayon box. You could use a magnetic or flannel board for the story if you don't want to use foam core board.
You will also need to purchase an inflatable red crayon, which is available from novelty catalogs. If you can't find one, you could make an oversize crayon out of poster board.
The repetitive refrain is sung to the last 2 lines of “10 Little Indians.” I would ask the kids if they thought he would find the red crayon in each of the locations before I lifted the flap. Then I encouraged the kids to identify what he did find. When the characters relate the locations where Rusty has already looked, I see if the kids can remember what was under each flap.
“It’s red day,” said Rusty. “Miss Deb said we should bring something red to school.”
“What do you want to bring?” asked Mom.
Rusty thought for a minute. “My red crayon,” he said.
“Are you sure?” asked Mom.
“Yes,” said Rusty. As he headed to his bedroom to get it, he sang:
Where, oh where is my red crayon?
I want my red crayon!
Rusty went to his toy box. He didn’t find his red crayon, but he did find a red shirt. Then Rusty went to the closet. He didn’t find his red crayon, but he did find some red socks. He looked around the room and sang:
Where, oh where is my red crayon?
I want my red crayon!
Rusty’s sister Amanda walked into the room. “What are you looking for?” she asked.
“My red crayon,” said Rusty. “It’s red day.”
“I think a red crayon is kind of boring,” said Amanda.
“No, it isn’t.” said Rusty.
“Whatever,” said Amanda. “Did you look in the desk?”
“No, but I looked in my toy box and found a red shirt and I looked in my closet and found some red socks.” Rusty headed to his desk. He didn’t find his red crayon, but he did find some red shoes.
Then Rusty looked under his bed. He didn’t find his red crayon, but he did find some red shorts.
Where, oh where is my red crayon?
I want my red crayon!
Rusty’s brother Drew walked into the room. “What are you guys doing?” he asked.
“It’s red day at school,” said Amanda “And Rusty wants to take his red crayon. He’s looked in the toy box and found a red shirt. He looked in the closet and found some red socks. He looked in the desk and found red shoes. And he looked under his bed and found red shorts.”
Rusty looked at Drew. “Did you take my red crayon?” he asked.
“Why would I want your dumb red crayon?” said Drew.
Rusty headed to Drew’s bed. Rusty didn’t find his red crayon, but he did find his red baseball cap.
“I want to take my red crayon,” said Rusty. He very sadly sang:
Where, oh where is my red crayon?
I want my red crayon!
Mom walked into the room. “Aren’t you ready for school?”
“I can’t find my red crayon,” said Rusty. “I looked in the toy box and found a red shirt. I looked in the closet and found some red socks. I looked in the desk and found red shoes. I looked under his bed and found red shorts. And I looked under Drew’s bed and found a red cap.”
“Did you look in the dresser?” asked Mom. “It seems like your clothes aren’t in there so maybe your crayons will be.” She looked in the drawer. “Here they are,” she said.
Rusty shook his head. “Not those,” he said. “I want my red crayon. The one I got at the carnival.” Rusty smiled. “I know where it is! I put my red crayon in my school bag last night,” he said. Rusty got his school bag. He blew up the red crayon.
“Not dumb,” said Drew.
“Not boring,” said Amanda.
“Good idea,” said Mom.
Rusty took his red crayon to school, singing:
Here, oh here is my red crayon.
I found my red crayon!
* This story can be used freely in programs, but may not be re-posted, reproduced, or sold without prior permission.
