X, Y: Extra Yarn

Week 22: Letter X, Y  Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
Things I Need:

Since this story is really so simple, I took a different approach. There is not a lot of history, not specific geography within this story (you could discuss the locations in world where this story must have taken place because of the snow, but we chose not to this time). But there is something beautiful in discovering a story hidden within a story.

Because the story is relatively short, and the lessons deep, this story lends itself well to just that. For this lesson, plan to read the story 2x through.

Introduce the Story

Tell the class there is a story hidden within this story. Tell them you are going to read it through 2 times. The first time, enjoy the story. The second time, we’re going to try to find the hidden story.

Read the story the first time

Discuss: 

  • What might the yarn symbolize? (variety of answers)
  • What is an allegory? (story with another story hidden within)
  • Could this story be an allegory for anything? (yarn = God’s love / God’s grace / God’s character God’s light / there could be many answers)
  • (Decide together as a class what specific allegory you think the story is about, we chose God’s love / God’s character)
  • As we read the story the 2nd time, raise your hand when you hear something something that sounds like it may be talking about God’s love (or other similar allegory)

I have no idea what Mr. Barnett was thinking when he wrote this story. The story is beautiful as it is. It is simple. It has a theme, written in a catchy way, that repeats throughout the book where Annabelle continues to do what others say is impossible. Her never ending box of yarn continues to bless and beautify the town. But when you read through about how her yarn “never ends” and it is something that “cannot be bought” and how she shares and spreads it all through the dark town, transforming it and rising up against all the darkness, you cannot help but find deeper meaning in this story.  

Read through the story again

Our class found these comparisons, we’d love to hear about others you find. 
  • Annabelle surrounded by darkness, harsh words thrown at her – overcomes with Good.
    • “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” Rom. 12:21
  • Yarn continues to bless even the grumpiest of people,
    • Bless those who curse you Lk. 6:28
  • Archduke wants to buy the yarn, temps Annabelle with money, she refuses to sell.
    • God’s gift is free – “but the free gift of God…” Rom 6:23 “As many as received him, to them he gave … Jn 1:12
  • Archduke is furious, curses Annabelle 
    • “Light came into the darkness, and the darkness could not overpower it” John 1:5
  • As Annabelle continues to use her yarn, the entire town is transformed
    • “Do not conform to the world, but be transformed”  Rom 12:2
Our main takeaway: when God lives inside a person, even if someone is mean to you, even if someone is grumpy at you – God’s love (Christ in us) always responds with kindness. 

Complete the Handwriting Sheet

Extra Yarn Handwriting Sheet
Extra Yarn Handwriting Sheet 

Extra Yarn Pencil Holders / Vases

Will try to upload some more pictures of the process later. I wasn’t sure how these would work with the 4-6’s, but most of them were able to make these on their own without much help. We tried several techniques that seemed to work well. 
Let each child select one glass jar (or bring one from home) and a pack of yarn (if you pre-roll into mini sections, this will save you time and tangled yarn later on)
1) Start at the top of the jar. Especially if there is some kind of neck on the jar
2) Apply a layer of glue all around the jar. This was a little rough for the kiddos to get used to, but I just told them there hands were going to be sticky until it was done, but we could wash at the end. 
3) Begin winding, from the top to the bottom. Hold the top thread in place at the beginning, until the glue begins to set. 
4) If the child has good motor skills, they could hold the jar sideways, and begin wrapping. Otherwise, they can hold the thread in one hand, and begin to turn the jar with the other. 
5) After every 4 or 5 rotations of string, push the yarn up a little to be tight with the others. 
(the kids may need a little help with the pushing up)
6) Make sure everything, especially the last section, is secured with glue. Let dry. 
Voila!
(I thought they turned out great) 
Up-cycling our leftover jars and bottles to go along with
Mac Barnett’s fun story, Extra Yarn. 

Click here to return to the Learning the ABC’s through Literature complete booklist and see the general instructions for each lesson.