Originally a book, the classic movie The Wizard of Oz was born in 1939 and remade into many different versions. This movie has resonated with a variety of ages and cultures across time. When kids level learns about Dorothy, her loyal friends, and the mystical yellow brick road that leads to the Land of Oz, they will be enthralled and dying to know more! Here are a variety of fun and interesting activities themed around The Wizard of Oz for your learners to enjoy!
1. Teach Character Traits
Character traits can be difficult to teach in elementary school. The Wizard of Oz is the perfect story to explain this element. Each of the characters in the story has very specific attributes, actions, and words that exemplify some strong traits.
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2. Follow the Yellow Brick Road Retell Strategy
Utilize The Wizard of Oz as your exemplar for retelling other stories. The characters in the book are on a constant journey, making the major events the perfect road map for other books and reading.
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3. Host a Wizard of Oz Scavenger Hunt
After students are done reading the book or watching the movie, lighten the mood and give kids a brain break with these colored illustration scavenger hunt cards. Hide them around the playground or classroom to get kids up and moving.
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4. Coloring Pages
This is more than a coloring page. After students read The Wizard of Oz, they will be able to utilize their new knowledge of the characters to fill in some things they might be thinking based on their personalities and expressions.
Learn More: Education.com
5. Character Writing Frames
This character-oriented lesson plan is a fun activity and helps kids build knowledge and confidence in determining character traits and better comprehension. These frames will assist students as they write to describe the characters.
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6. The Wizard of Oz Flip Cubes
This fun and creative craftivity is an additional activity that you can add to your Wizard of Oz lesson. Kids will enjoy coloring and then building the character blocks to put together and interchange to make new silly characters.
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7. Coloring Maze Game
Help little ones learn to count to five whilst developing their fine motor skills as they trace along the squiggly lines on this printable worksheet. The best part of this is the ability to color it in when they are finished.
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8. Melt Like the Wicked Witch
After journeying through the Land of Oz in reading, fill your daily lesson plans with activities like this science activity that focuses on the themes and events in the story. Kids will love watching the candies melt away just like the antagonist in the story.
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9. Printable Activities
Early childhood grades will really benefit from these engaging activities that are easy and best of all, free to print. Kids will be able to practice handwriting, cutting, and more- all with the help of The Wizard of Oz.
Learn More: Teaching With Children’s Books
10. Fallen House Treats
There is no better book study activity than a treat to gain the attention of students. Cupcakes, graham crackers, licorice candies, and other goodies will set the stage for an exciting (and delicious) first-chapter activity.
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11. Tin Man Recycled Art
This is the perfect ending to any character identity activity involving the Tin Man. Kids will be able to utilize recycled materials to create these sweet works of art after learning about one of the most beloved characters in the story.
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12. Create an Adorable Classroom Theme
The Wizard of Oz creates a huge opportunity for classroom theme ideas. Decorating before diving into the story will set the mood and get kids excited about the idea of reading this fantasy novel.
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13. If I Had Ruby Slippers Writing
This writing response will let students use their imagination to respond to what they themselves would wish for if they had the ruby red slippers that Dorothy had. Afterward, hang the pieces up to add to your colorful classroom as you read and study the story.
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14. Pin the Heart on the Tin Man
What is a lot of hard work without a little fun? Have kids play this fun twist on “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” at the end of the lesson, comprehension, or unit. This could also be used as a fun little brain break throughout the day.
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15. Wizard of Oz Character Perspective Lesson
This lesson would be perfect for upper elementary students after reading The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Complete with discussion questions, this character lesson plan offers kids the opportunity to rewrite a chunk of the story from a character’s perspective.
Learn More: Study.com
16. Create a Social Emotional Lesson
Kids will watch the movie The Wizard of Oz and then connect with it by focusing on the various themes that are present throughout the movie. The nice lesson included here is perfect for helping kids learn about friendship, self-care, and more SEL themes.
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17. He Said She Said
Play a fun game of who said what with your primary students as they work to practice their reading and comprehension skills. Some students will have a photo of the character, while others have a quote from the story as they work around the room to find each other.
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18. Favorite Character
Get your first graders writing by having them decide on who their favorite character is and why. This lesson would also be appropriate for second-grade students and you can put them up on display afterward to instill pride in work!
Learn More: First Grade Roundup
19. Practice the Main Idea
Help students in fifth-grade practice finding the main idea using The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This printable and text includes a graphic organizer which is helpful for all students.
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20. Practice Comprehension
In upper elementary, a lot of reading instruction focuses more on the text and less on the cutesy things that go with it. This printable is a great way to help students practice comprehension focused on The Wizard of Oz.
Learn More: Education.com
21. Party Activities
These free printables would be perfect for activities to do at your Wizard of Oz party or themed day. With word scrambles, mazes, and more, it will give your kids a lot of fun things to do.
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22. STEAM Tales
L. Frank Baum wrote this book of amazing STEAM projects for you and your students to do together in the classroom, all based around The Wizard of Oz.
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23. Wizard of Oz Trivia
Why not have a little bit of fun with some Wizard of Oz trivia? This activity sheet can help guide your questions and give students a chance for some good old-fashioned competition.
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24. Wizard of Oz Felt Play Set
Help little ones practice their role-play and imagination with this adorable felt set. It gives them the opportunity to move the characters around, recreate scenes from the book, and practice their dexterity.
Learn More: Etsy
