Elf Training Day: Christmas Fill in the Blank Story (Parts of Speech)

Read-aloud example

Today was my first day at Elf School at the North Pole. Our teacher, Miss Tinsel, was very STRICT. First we learned how to WRAP presents, which is harder than it looks when the presents are wobbly JELLIES. Then we practised TIPTOEING QUIETLY around the workshop so we would not wake the REINDEER. At lunch we ate GOOEY CABBAGE sandwiches. In the afternoon I PAINTED a toy train and gave it 19 wheels. Miss Tinsel said it was the most WONKY train she had ever seen. On the way home I SANG all the way to my igloo.

Our example words are in capitals. Yours will make a different story every time.

The word types in this story

• Adjective: a describing word: fluffy, enormous.
• Verb: an action word: jump, sing.
• Plural noun: more than one thing: socks, puddings.
• Verb ending in -ing: an action + ing: dancing, sneezing.
• Adverb: how it is done: loudly, slowly.
• Food: any food: spaghetti, sprouts.
• Past tense verb: something already done: jumped, ate.
• Number: any number: 7, 365, a million.

How to play

1. Print the PDF at 100% on A4 or US Letter paper. Keep page 2, the story, face down.
2. Ask for each word on page 1 in order. Write it in the box with its number.
3. Copy each word into the blank on page 2 with the same number.
4. Read the finished story aloud. Then swap readers and play again with new words.

Fill-in-the-blank stories are a fun way to practise adjectives, verbs, plural nouns, verbs ending in -ing, adverbs and past tense verbs: children have to think what kind of word each one is before they choose it, and hear straight away when a word doesn't fit. For one skill at a time on paper, try the grammar worksheets (nouns, verbs, adjectives, plurals and past tense). More for the last week of term: the Christmas math and literacy worksheets (sight word sentences, ABC order, writing prompts), a letter to Santa and the Christmas printables planner for teachers.