A Penguin Writes to Santa: Christmas Fill in the Blank Letter

Read-aloud example

Dear Santa,
My name is Pip and I am a very TINY penguin from Antarctica. This year I have been very good. I SHARED my fish with my sister, and I only SLID into the sea 3 times when I was not meant to. For Christmas I would love some warm MITTENS, a pair of FLUFFY earmuffs and a book about VOLCANOES. My brother wants to learn to FLY, so please bring him some FEATHERS. If you visit, we will leave out a bucket of FROZEN FISH for you and some CRUNCHY snow for the reindeer. Please fly CAREFULLY, because the ice is slippery.
Love from Pip

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.
• Past tense verb: something already done: jumped, ate.
• Number: any number: 7, 365, a million.
• Plural noun: more than one thing: socks, puddings.
• Verb: an action word: jump, sing.
• Food: any food: spaghetti, sprouts.
• Adverb: how it is done: loudly, slowly.

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, past tense verbs, plural nouns, verbs and adverbs: 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.