Bring storytelling off the page and into your classroom with our creative The Speedy Sloth: Story Stones activity! Designed to accompany a whole class reading of The Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young, this hands-on resource supports oral retells, small world play, and imaginative storytelling.

Story stones are a versatile and engaging way to encourage students to retell key moments from a narrative. By handling and manipulating the images as they speak, students build confidence in sequencing, character recall, and verbal expression. This set includes a range of character and object images perfectly sized to be glued onto small stones - Bunnings and similar stores offer excellent options for smooth, flat stones to use in your setup.

Whether used in a literacy rotation, a small world corner, or during guided reading sessions, these story stones offer an interactive alternative to traditional retelling. With both colour and black and white options included, you can decide whether to print, cut and go—or let students colour their own before assembling the final pieces.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Retell and sequence key events from a familiar story
• ✅ Identify characters, setting and main plot points
• ✅ Use visual and tactile props to enhance oral storytelling
• ✅ Strengthen expressive language and verbal confidence
• ✅ Engage in imaginative small world and sensory play

What’s Included:

• 8 character images sized for story stones
• 1 spaghetti image to support text-to-self and story connections
• 4 background scenes (available in colour and black and white)

Materials Needed:

• Printed story stone images
• Scissors for cutting
• Flat stones (available at hardware or dollar stores)
• Glue (such as Mod Podge or PVA) for attaching images
• Optional: Laminator or clear sealant for durability
• Optional: Markers or crayons for colouring black and white versions

How to Use:

1. Print the character and background images of your choice.
2. Have students cut and colour (if using black and white versions).
3. Glue the images onto flat stones using strong craft glue or Mod Podge.
4. Allow to dry completely, then use in oral retells or small world storytelling.
5. Set up a storytelling centre or small world tray with backgrounds and props.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Include in your reading rotations for independent oral retell practise
• 💡 Use as part of a Book Week storytelling station
• 💡 Create a collaborative storytelling area for free play and language development
• 💡 Pair with sentence starters to support EAL/D or reluctant speakers
• 💡 Allow students to create their own story stone sets for home use

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Store completed stones in labelled containers or fabric bags for easy access
• 💛 Print on adhesive paper for a simple stick-and-go solution
• 💛 Seal with Mod Podge or clear contact paper for longer-lasting pieces
• 💛 Model how to use the stones for retelling before inviting students to try independently

Check out more amazing resources related to The Speedy Sloth in our The Speedy Sloth Book PACKAGE.