The Three Pigs: Good, Better, Best

I have mentioned before that one of my goals is to observe my children and their interests and plan learning activities for them according to those interests. If I can tie it back to the gospel it's a bonus! I've been hearing a lot of "huffing and puffing" and "blow your house in" lately. So when I happened upon "The Three Pigs" at the library I had to snag it. 

So here is how this morning's book project went down.

We started with construction paper, a paper lunch bag, marker, some scissors, glue and tape, and a blow-dryer. I drew the wolf's face and then had S cut it out. We glued it to the bag, cut a hole under the snout to put the blow-dryer in and a hole in the back to let the blow-dryer breathe. No real scorched wolf buns here.Voila!

Next, we created our houses out of drinking "straws", sticks from the yard and Lego "bricks." 

S and I adapted the "Wise Man and Foolish Man" song to teach us the "good, better, best" principle:

The GOOD pig built his house out of straw (repeat 3 times)

and the wolf came to blow it down.

Oh the wolf blew around and around and around (repeat 3 times)

And the house out of straw fell down.

The BETTER pig built his house out of sticks (repeat 3 times)

and the wolf came to blow it down.

Oh the wolf blew around and around and around (repeat 3 times)

And the house out of sticks fell down.

The BEST pig built his house out of bricks (repeat 3 times)

and the the wolf came to blow it down.

Oh the wolf blew around and around and around (repeat 3 times)

And the house out of bricks stood still.

"We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families." (Good, Better, Best, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Oct. 2007)

We talked briefly about this principle and applied it to our lives. Here's the example I used:

Good - Play with toys and read books

Better - Sit at the table for dinner with books and toys. 

Best - Come to the table without any distractions, ready to eat and spend quality family time together.

After our houses were built, the wolf went around and knocked at each pig's door. They loved it! S really got into it. "Little pig, little pig let me come in!" "Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin!" Then the wolf would try to blow down the house. The blow-dryer worked pretty well, although the wolf needed to use his nose a little to knock the rest of the stick house down. My littlest guy (7 months) thought it was hilarious too. Score!

As each pig's house got blown down, we talked about the examples in our lives we can lean on for help when making choices. Just like the good and better pigs leaned on the best pig in the end. It may seem easier at times to not make the best choice, but in the long run it pays off. Strength and safety comes from making the best choices and following Jesus. 

My kids immediately knew the answer to "who does the wolf represent?" "Satan!" We wrapped up our show by reading Helaman 5:12. When we follow the example of Jesus, our rock, we will be able to stand firm against anything Satan blows or throws our way. 

This might just be my favorite learning activity we have done so far. There was something for everyone. Building, singing, cutting, pasting, acting, memorization, counting, and more.

Of course, when Daddy got home we had to put the show on for him too! Add repetition and peer-teaching to the list. Success!