The Goldilocks Rule

Yesterday, I shared a great video resource for kids and teachers about choosing good fit books. Although, I have used the analogy of finding good fit books using shoes, I seem to always come back to The Goldilocks Rule. I learned about this for the first time when I started at my current school.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Goldilocks And The Three Bears (Lift-the-Flap Book)Here is how I set it up in my classroom. First, I read Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Many of my students are familiar with the story. Afterwards, we talk about Goldilocks choosing items that were "just right" for her. I use that analogy to help students understand what it means to read and select Just Right books. We compare how Papa Bear's items were "too big" for him, just like sometimes we may read books that are "too hard" for us. We discuss what it means as a reader when the book is too hard. Then, we talk about what it means as a reader when a book is "too easy." Like it was too easy for Goldilocks to enter into the Bears' home. Finally, we discuss the purpose of reading. Why reading and comprehending matter.


I do not do all this in one sitting. Depending on the grade level, students, and time of year, this could be an entire week's worth of lessons. I had created a wonderful poster to use but I have been without it all year since our Librarian has it in our library to help students there.




How do you help students select "just right" books?
Happy Teaching and Learning!

37 comments

  1. Thank you for sharing the Goldilocks poster you created! I also love the Sisters lesson for Choosing a Good Fit book and your poster goes along with it perfectly and provides another solid concrete reminder for the kids!
    ~ Mrs. Mc
    Little Literacy Learners

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  2. Love this poster! Thank you for sharing. I will definitely be using this next year.

    Jodi
    Fun In First

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  3. I love this poster. Thank you for sharing!
    Tanya
    First Grade is Fantabulous!

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  4. That is really cool that Scrappin Doodles was able to custom create graphics for you! I have just found them and love them! Thank you for sharing this great idea!

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  5. Such a great resource! I also love the fantastic custom graphics

    Holly
    Stay and Play

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  6. This is SO CUTE! Unfortunately, I am unable to access it. Would you mind sending it to my email? (amanda.nickerson84@gmail.com) THANKS!

    Amanda
    http://www.oneextradegree.blogspot.com

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  7. Thanks for sharing
    Tiffani Time4Kindergarten

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  8. I love the poster!! Thanks! Your site is adorable and I added it to my Sqworl sidebar.

    Julie
    Thoughts of a Third Grade Teacher

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  9. Thanks for your ideas. If I weren't in Pirate mode I would be doing this. I will have to file it away for next year.

    Ms. M
    Ms.M's Blog
    A Teacher's Plan

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  10. I follow a similar idea to Goldilocks, only I use jersey's. We discuss the qualities of the 3 kinds of books, and use the jersey's to provide a kinesthetic and visual connections. My hubby's jersey represents TOO BIG, mine represents JUST RIGHT, and our build a bear mascot represents TOO SMALL. I don't have a picture on my website yet but I can do a post about it!

    Love your poster!! :)

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  11. Love these ideas and love the poster. I have got to get me a copy of the Daily 5 now that I am moving to kindergarten. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Love ANYTHING to do with fairy tales. Students really GET this. Way to go!

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  13. I do the "Goldilocks Rule" with my students as well. I love the poster! Thanks so much for sharing! I'm going to use it next year with my students.

    Kristen

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  14. Thanks so much for this. I have something similar but now I can update next year. You're so creative!
    - Sydney
    Lessons Learned

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  15. This is so needed! Thank you so much for contacting Scrappin Doodles, that was a great idea! You really are a wonderful contributor and I am tso thankful for everything you do.

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  16. This is awesome! I'm so glad I've found you through TBA. Your blog is awesome!

    http://rowdyinfirstgrade.blogspot.com

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  17. This is so cute! Thank you for sharing this!!
    Curls and a Smile

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  18. HI,
    I love the poster. Thanks for taking the time to make and share it!
    Cindy

    In The Teacher’s Lounge

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  19. I love this poster and your blog! Thank you for sharing it. I use Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians to teach my students about "just right" books. I also use We're Going on a Book Hunt. Both are great books!
    Kimberly
    Funky First Grade Fun

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  20. I love this idea and poster! We do a whole unit on Goldilocks and this will complement it perfectly. Thanks!

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  21. Thank you ladies for the kind words.
    I love the idea using jerseys. This would "fit" nicely.
    I am also planning to buy We're Going on a Book Hunt.

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  22. Soooo cute!!! I love the Golidlocks graphics and poster!!

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  23. This is great thanks
    Tiffani
    Time4kindergarten.blogspot.com

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  24. I LOVE this post!! What a great idea and what a fantastic idea to contact Scrappin Doodles to have them help you bring your idea to life!! I am VERY impressed! Thanks, Nancy
    The Apple Basket Teacher

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  25. I've been looking for something like this! Thank you so much for posting!

    -Brittany

    frenzyinfirst.blogspot.com

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  26. Wow!! Thanks for sharing! That is a fabulous poster! I can't believe I've never thought of using the 3 bears before!

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  27. Love this! i can't seem to find the poster though. i know this is about a year old, but i would love a copy to use next year with my 1st/2nd graders.

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  28. Molli, Look at my TeachersNotebook store. There is a link on the sidebar.

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  29. We have a bookmark that goes along with the Just Right books-start by reading Goldilocks. I couldn't access your store-says it's unavailable. Would you post on your website or have another link? Love the poster!

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  30. I absolutely love your poster, but I am unable to find it on your blog or at the TeachersNotebook store. Is there any way to get a copy? Thank you for your time.

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  31. I would like to make a poster of this for my library..how do I access it to make it larger and read the words?

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  32. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  33. Hi,
    I just love the poster you made of Goldilocks and the five finger rule. For some reason I can't access a copy to print. Is it possible to get a copy?
    Thanks
    smelnic@mymts.net

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  34. I saw the poster linked to this page. If it is still available somehow, I would like to get a copy of it. We are beginning fairy tales and a discussion of just right books with my kindergartners. If it is possible, can you send a link to me zinkee@fonddulac.k12.wi.us

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  35. Hi, Erin,
    I am so glad you found this helpful. I can not share this. My computer crashed and I have lost this file. Sorry.

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