ClassX Video Lessons Grade Grade 2 Dad and the Dinosaur – Children’s Story – Father’s Day Books Read Aloud
Once upon a time, there was a boy named Nicholas. Nicholas was a little scared of the dark outside his door, the bushes where big bugs lived, and the mysterious things under manhole covers. But Nicholas’s dad wasn’t scared of anything! Nicholas wanted to be brave like his dad, but he needed a little help. He needed a dinosaur!
Dinosaurs are super brave. They aren’t scared of the dark, bugs don’t bother them, and they think manhole covers are just fun stepping stones. Whenever Nicholas had his dinosaur in his pocket, he felt just as brave as his dad.
One day, Nicholas’s mom told his dad, “You should have seen your son at the climbing wall today. He was so brave! Just like you!” Nicholas felt proud.
Sometimes, Nicholas didn’t have pockets. During soccer, he hid his dinosaur in his sock. When he went swimming, he tied the dinosaur to his swim trunks. At night, the dinosaur slept under his pillow.
One day, during a soccer game, Nicholas played against a tough goalie named “Gorilla.” But Nicholas wasn’t worried because he had his dinosaur. He kicked the ball super hard, and it zoomed past Gorilla into the net. Everyone cheered, and his mom caught it all on video!
“You’re amazing, buddy!” his dad said. Nicholas was so happy. But when it was time to go home, Nicholas realized his dinosaur was missing. He searched everywhere on the field until it got dark.
“What are you doing, Nick?” someone asked.
“Nothing,” Nicholas replied, feeling sad.
On the way home, the night seemed extra dark, and the bugs seemed bigger. Nicholas didn’t eat dinner and went to bed early with the light on, feeling scared without his dinosaur.
When his dad got home, he went to Nicholas’s room. “Did you have a bad dream, buddy?” he asked.
Nicholas didn’t answer.
“It’s okay to be afraid sometimes,” his dad said.
“Who said I was afraid?” Nicholas replied.
“Nobody,” Dad said, “but I can tell something’s wrong.”
After a while, Nicholas whispered, “I lost my dinosaur. He’s the brave one, not me.”
“Let’s go find him then,” Dad said.
His mom heard them getting ready to go out. “Where are you two going?” she asked.
“It’s guy stuff,” his dad replied.
They drove to the dark soccer field and searched the grass. Soon, they found Nicholas’s dinosaur, safe and sound. When they got home, they gave the dinosaur a bath and put him back under the pillow.
“Dad,” Nicholas said, “don’t tell Mom, okay?”
“Of course not,” Dad replied with a smile.
The next day, Nicholas put his dinosaur back in his pocket, feeling brave and ready for anything!
Bravery Badge: Create a “Bravery Badge” craft activity. Provide each child with a paper circle and some coloring materials. Ask them to draw or write about a time they felt brave, just like Nicholas with his dinosaur. Encourage them to wear their badge as a reminder of their own bravery. Discuss as a class how different things can help us feel brave.
Dinosaur Adventure: Organize a “Dinosaur Adventure” scavenger hunt in the classroom or playground. Hide small dinosaur toys or pictures around the area. As the children find each dinosaur, ask them to share a moment when they felt scared and how they overcame it. This activity helps them connect with Nicholas’s story and understand that everyone can find their own way to be brave.
Bravery Journal: Start a “Bravery Journal” where each child can draw or write about something they did that made them feel brave each day. Encourage them to share their entries with the class at the end of the week. This activity helps children reflect on their own experiences and recognize their personal growth in bravery.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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**Let’s Read: Dad and the Dinosaur**
*By Jennifer Koldenko and Dan Santat*
Nicholas was afraid of the dark outside his door, the bushes where the giant bugs lived, and the undersides of manhole covers. His dad was not afraid of anything. Nicholas tried to be brave like his dad, but he needed help—big help. He needed a dinosaur.
Dinosaurs are not afraid of the dark; bugs are nothing to them, and they make manhole covers for lunch and everything under them for dinner. When little Nick had his dinosaur in his pocket, he was just as brave as his dad.
“You should have seen your son at the climbing wall today,” his mom told his dad. “No fear at all! He takes after your side of the family.”
Of course, there were times when Nicholas had no pockets. During soccer, he hid his dinosaur in his sock. When he swam, he tied the dinosaur to the cord of his swim trunks. At night, the dinosaur went under the pillow.
Then one day at soccer, Nicholas played against the goalie they called “Gorilla,” but no worries—Nicholas had his dinosaur, and his dinosaur was fearless. He kicked the ball so hard it shot past Gorilla’s hands straight into the net. Everybody cheered! His mom had the whole thing on video.
“You’re incredible, buddy!” Big Nick told him. Nicholas’s face lit up with joy. But when it was time to leave, the dinosaur was gone. Nick searched from one end of the field to the other until it grew dark.
“What are you doing, Nick?” someone asked.
“Nothing,” Nicholas replied.
On the way home, the night was very dark, and there were giant bugs everywhere. Nicholas ate no dinner that night; he went to sleep early with the light on and nothing under his pillow. He dreamed about bugs as big as buildings and the world under the manhole cover.
When his father got home late that night, he came to little Nick’s room. “Did you have a bad dream, buddy?” he asked. Nicholas didn’t answer.
“It’s okay to be afraid. All guys are now and then,” his dad said.
“Who said I was afraid?” Nicholas shot back.
“Nobody,” Dad replied, “but something’s the matter.”
After a long time, Nicholas whispered, “I lost my dinosaur. He’s the brave one, not me.”
“Let’s go find him then,” Dad said.
His mother heard them putting on their jackets. “Where are you two going at this hour?” she asked.
“It’s guy stuff,” his father answered.
They drove across town to the dark field and searched the spongy grass. Sure enough, there was Nicholas’s dinosaur, as big as ever. When they got home, they gave the dinosaur a bath and put him under the pillow.
“Dad,” Nicholas said, “don’t tell Mom, okay?”
“Of course not,” Dad replied.
The next day, Nicholas put his dinosaur in his pocket, but he wasn’t the only one who knew he was there.
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This version removes any unnecessary or potentially inappropriate content while maintaining the essence of the story.
