ClassX Video Lessons Grade Grade 2 ????????Read Aloud | THE GREAT THANKSGIVING ESCAPE by Mark Fearing
Hi there! I’m Craig Toby, and I’m so happy you’re here for Story Time with me and Lila. If you enjoy our stories, you can find more on Instagram or our website. We love sharing fun read-alouds with you!
Today, we’re reading a book called “The Great Thanksgiving Escape” by Mark Fearing. It’s all about a boy named Gavin and his cousin Rhonda. Let’s see what adventure they go on!
It was Thanksgiving at Grandma’s house. Gavin’s mom told him to play with the other kids until the turkey was ready. But Gavin thought it wouldn’t be fun at all. The other kids were drooling and spilling milk everywhere!
Then, Gavin’s cousin Rhonda whispered to him, “Let’s sneak out and go to the swing set in the backyard!” Gavin was supposed to stay inside, but Rhonda said, “Sometimes you have to make your own fun. Are you with me?” Gavin nodded, and off they went!
They tiptoed to the front door, pretending to be moving coats. But suddenly, Rhonda stopped. “There’s a guard!” she said. They had to run away quickly!
They tried to escape, but Rhonda got grabbed. Luckily, she broke free, and they ran to the back door. But oh no, there was a wall of adults watching TV! They had to find another way.
Rhonda suggested going through the basement, but it was dark and smelled funny. When they peeked inside, Rhonda screamed, “Zombies!” They quickly ran back upstairs.
In the kitchen, Gavin wanted a snack, but Rhonda yelled, “It’s a trap!” They almost got caught by the pumpkin pie trap but managed to escape just in time.
They raced to the glass door, but it was locked. “At least we tried,” Rhonda said. Gavin thought for a moment and said, “Sometimes you have to make your own fun.”
Gavin and Rhonda decided to have their own fun by swinging in the rain. They were soaking wet but happy. “Happy Thanksgiving!” they shouted, enjoying their adventure.
And that’s the story of “The Great Thanksgiving Escape” by Mark Fearing. Remember, sometimes you have to make your own fun, just like Gavin and Rhonda did!
Adventure Map: Create your own adventure map just like Gavin and Rhonda’s journey. Draw a map of your house or backyard and mark different “adventure spots” where you can have fun. Think about places where you can play games, read a book, or do a fun activity. Share your map with a friend or family member and plan a mini-adventure together!
Imagination Station: Gavin and Rhonda used their imagination to have fun. Think of a place in your home or school where you can use your imagination to create a fun story or game. Write or draw your story, and then act it out with your friends or family. What characters will you create? What adventures will they go on?
Observation Challenge: Just like Gavin and Rhonda noticed the “guards” and “traps,” try to observe your surroundings closely. Go on a walk with a family member and look for interesting things you might not have noticed before, like a funny-shaped cloud or a colorful leaf. Share what you find and talk about how observing can help you discover new adventures every day!
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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[Music]
Hey, I’m Craig Toby. Welcome to Story Time with Lila and Craig Toby. Remember, if you like what you see, follow us on Instagram or visit our website. You can watch all of our read-alouds there or send us a message.
I have something to say… Oh, I’m going to sneeze.
Are you mad?
No, I’m not mad. I’m just a bit disappointed because it was a really good take. You know, just keep going.
Yes, today’s book is “The Great Thanksgiving Escape” by Mark Fearing.
It was another Thanksgiving at Grandma’s.
“You can play here with the rest of the kids,” Gavin’s mother told him. “We’ll call you when the turkey’s ready. Have fun,” Gavin’s dad called. But Gavin knew it was not going to be fun at all.
“Oh man, kids, it’s not going to be fun at all. Look at them, drooling and spilling milk. Not fun.”
“Hey,” someone whispered. It was his cousin Rhonda. “What do you say we break out of here and head for the swing set in the backyard?”
“I’m supposed to stay here until turkey time,” Gavin said.
Rhonda climbed out from under the coats. “The way I see it,” she said, “sometimes you have to make your own fun. Are you with me?”
Gavin nodded.
They crept out and headed for the front door.
“That’s right, head out the front door. No one suspects two moving coats. An escape in broad daylight—genius!”
Suddenly, Rhonda jumped back. “That area’s blocked by a vicious guard!”
“I think they picked up our scent,” she yelled. “Run!”
But when they rounded the corner, Rhonda stopped dead in her tracks. “It’s all over for us!” she cried.
“Let’s go!”
Gavin trembled, remembering Christmas last year when he had to ice his face for three days. They took off, but it was too late. Rhonda had been grabbed.
“Oh, luckily she reacted quickly and managed to break free. Quick, before another one comes in for a hug!”
Rhonda bolted past him, heading for the back door.
“Oh no, the great wall of adults!” Rhonda yelled. “It’s sure death to get between them and the TV!”
“Oh, adults hate it when you stand in front of the TV. We need to find another way around.”
“Did you hear that?”
“Oh yeah, scared!”
Rhonda said, “There’s a way through the basement.”
Gavin wasn’t so sure. It looked dark and smelled funny.
They peeked cautiously around the corner. “Zombies!” Rhonda screamed. “They’ll eat our brains as an appetizer!”
They raced back up the stairs to the kitchen.
“Just a little snack for the road,” Gavin said.
“No!” Rhonda yelled. “It’s a trap!” She grabbed Gavin just before they were surrounded.
“Oh no, the pumpkin pie trap! Don’t fall for it!”
They turned and sprinted for the door.
“We’re almost there!”
But they skidded to a stop when they reached the glass door.
“At least we tried,” Rhonda said.
Gavin was quiet for a moment, then he said, “The way I see it, Rhonda, is that sometimes you have to make your own fun.”
“We want a Thanksgiving that isn’t the same. Sometimes you have to make your own fun.”
“I’ll swing your Thanksgiving in the rain.”
“A sweet Thanksgiving in the rain!”
“You did it! Way to go, you guys! You escaped Thanksgiving! Now you’re swinging in the rain!”
“You’re soaking wet!”
“Yeah, so wet. Probably going to catch a cold. Did you bring a change of clothes? Did your parents even think about that?”
“Oh man, your day after Thanksgiving is going to be all sniffles and laying in bed.”
“Happy Thanksgiving, I guess.”
“Happy turkey day!”
“Oh goodness, don’t get me sick. Are you contagious?”
“The Great Thanksgiving Escape” by Mark Fearing.
[Music]
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