The Truck Cat’s Memory Truck: National Simultaneous Storytime Craft
Description
The Truck Cat’s Memory Truck: National Simultaneous Storytime Craft is a thoughtful and engaging activity that invites students to reflect on the events of The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel from a character’s perspective. With a hands-on lift-the-flap craft and reflective writing component, this activity helps students practise inferential thinking and narrative comprehension while creating something personal and display-worthy.
After reading The Truck Cat, students will draw and write about meaningful memories that belong to the story’s central characters. Using the included templates, they will construct a truck featuring flaps that lift to reveal illustrations and written reflections—capturing key emotional moments or memories from Tinka, Yacoub or Mari. This creative format supports students in expressing their understanding of the story’s themes, including connection, trust and family.
The craft includes two flexible options to suit a range of classroom needs. Both involve assembling a truck and memory flap carriages, which students can colour and decorate before completing their writing. Templates are available in 24mm, 18mm and 14mm line widths, allowing for differentiated use across various year levels and writing abilities.
This resource is perfect for combining literacy and art in a purposeful way. The finished memory trucks make for a vibrant and meaningful classroom display using the included printable banner. Students will take pride in their work while deepening their connection to the story and its characters.
Key Learning Outcomes:
- ✅ Reflect on and infer key moments in a narrative
- ✅ Write from a character’s perspective using evidence from the text
- ✅ Express ideas through a creative lift-the-flap format
- ✅ Develop comprehension and empathy through personal response
What’s Included:
- Craft templates for truck and memory flap carriages
- Writing templates in 24mm, 18mm and 14mm line widths
- Two crafting options for classroom flexibility
- Printable banner for classroom display
Materials Needed:
- Printed templates (on card for durability)
- Scissors, glue, pencils and colouring materials
- Pop sticks, pipe cleaners or foil (optional for enhancements)
How to Use:
- Read The Truck Cat as a class, focusing on emotional turning points and character development.
- Choose your preferred craft option and distribute materials to students.
- Guide students in assembling the truck and flap carriages.
- Support students in writing from the perspective of a chosen character, describing significant memories or moments.
- Attach completed carriages and display using the included banner.
Ideas for Classroom Use:
- 💡 Use as a culminating comprehension activity after reading The Truck Cat
- 💡 Have students work in groups, each contributing a memory from a different character
- 💡 Encourage text-to-self connections by adding a personal memory carriage
- 💡 Use in conjunction with the other resources in our The Truck Cat: Book PACKAGE
Top Teacher Tips:
- 💛 Model writing using emotive language and clues from the text
- 💛 Pre-cut templates for younger students or time-sensitive lessons
- 💛 Add metallic or natural elements for extra display flair
The Truck Cat’s Memory Truck: National Simultaneous Storytime Craft is a meaningful and creative way to support comprehension, perspective-taking and written expression—bringing your classroom reading to life in a memorable and collaborative way.
Additional information
Number of Pages | 21 |
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File Format | |
Australian Curriculum Code | AC9E1LE01, AC9E1LE02, AC9E1LE03, AC9E1LY06, AC9E2LE01, AC9E2LE02, AC9E2LE03, AC9E2LY06, AC9EFLE01, AC9EFLE02, AC9EFLE03, AC9EFLY06 |
Australian Curriculum V9
F - 6
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