A pie, some cider, a roll—and that’s only the beginning! These I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie activities turn a Thanksgiving read-aloud into opportunities for storytelling, sequencing, rhyming, and playful learning.
This preschool and kindergarten book companion includes six hands-on activities and four worksheets. Children can feed the old lady, put the story pictures in order, answer questions, and even design a pie of their own.
Use a few activities after storytime or spread them across several short lessons during your Thanksgiving theme.
Try These I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie Activities for Free
Want to try a few activities with your preschool or kindergarten children? Download the free sample of our I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie activities and use it alongside your next Thanksgiving read-aloud.
Preview the printable pages below, then download the sample to get started.
Start with the I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie Story
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson, illustrated by Judy Schachner, follows an old lady through a very unusual Thanksgiving feast. As she swallows more and more, the story builds toward a surprising parade-balloon ending.
You’ll need a copy of the book to use with this companion. The storybook is not included in the printable packet.
Before reading, look at the cover together. Ask children what they notice and what they think the old lady might swallow next.
Introduce unfamiliar picture names, especially cider, squash, and roll. Naming these items first will help children participate in the activities later.
After reading, revisit a few pages and ask:
- What did she swallow first?
- Which part surprised you?
- What happened at the end?
Children can answer aloud, point to a picture, or use the story pieces to show their thinking.
Feed the Old Lady and Retell the Story
The feeding activity gives children a hands-on way to join in with the story.
Attach an old lady face to a box or bag and create a mouth opening for the picture pieces. The packet includes templates in three skin tones, nine story pieces, and a feeding order strip.
Children take turns feeding the old lady each picture as you revisit the story. Afterward, use the pieces to retell what happened.
The story order is:
Pie → cider → roll → squash → salad → turkey → pot → cake → bread
Encourage children to use simple sequencing language: “First, she swallowed the pie,” or “Next came the cider.”
For children who need support, offer two pictures and ask which one comes next. Keep the feeding order strip nearby so they can check.
Story Sequencing Activities for I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie
The Story Sequencing activity helps children see the whole sequence together.
Children place nine picture pieces on the numbered mat, beginning with the pie and ending with the bread. The packet includes a blank mat and a mat with lightened picture cues.
The picture-cue version provides a starting point for children who are still learning the sequence. Once they are familiar with the story, try the blank mat.
As children work, ask questions such as:
- What came after the roll?
- What did she swallow before the cake?
- Which picture belongs last?
Keep the book available for checking. Looking back at the illustrations gives children a way to confirm or revise their answers.
Talk About the Story with Picture Question Cards
The eight Story Question cards each include three picture choices. An adult reads the question, and children point to or mark their answer.
The cards cover story details, the order of events, and the ending. Picture choices allow children to show their understanding without needing to read the questions independently.
After children choose an answer, invite them to explain it. A short response such as “Bread was last” is a useful place to begin.
Use just a few cards at a time during circle time or work through them with a small group.
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie: Listen to Clues and Find the Pictures
In Listen and Find, children listen to a teacher-read clue and cover the matching picture on their mat.
This activity gives children another reason to name and describe the items from the story. It also provides practice listening carefully before responding.
Begin by naming the pictures together. Then read the included clues, allowing time for children to look and choose.
For an extra oral-language challenge, invite children to describe a picture for a partner to find. They might say, “Find something you drink,” or “Find something used for cooking.”
Sort What She Swallowed—and What She Didn’t
The Did She Swallow It? activity includes two sorting mats and 18 picture cards.
Children sort the nine story items onto the Swallowed mat and the nine distractors onto the Not Swallowed mat.
The question is whether the item appeared in the story. Some foods belong on the Not Swallowed mat, while the pot belongs on the Swallowed mat!
Encourage children to explain their choices:
“She swallowed the cake.”
“She did not swallow the pizza.”
To simplify the activity, begin with a smaller selection of cards. Add the remaining pictures as children become more confident.
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie: Feed the Old Lady a Rhyme
Bring the feeding prop back for a different listening task!
For Feed a Rhyme, children hear a picture name, find its rhyming story picture, and feed that picture to the old lady.
The six pairs are:
- Tie and pie
- Hole and roll
- Snake and cake
- Sled and bread
- Dot and pot
- Spider and cider
Name the pictures before starting. For the dot picture, explain that the arrow points to one dot on the die. Identify the drink as cider so children hear the intended rhyming pair.
Start with two possible answers if needed. Say the words aloud together and listen for the matching endings.
Extend the I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie Learning with Four Worksheets
The four black-and-white worksheets give children another way to respond after exploring the hands-on activities.
Choose the pages that suit your group. There’s no need to complete every worksheet in one sitting.
Story Sequencing
Children cut and paste eight pictures to show what the old lady swallowed after the pie. Use the completed sequencing mat or the book for support.
What Did She Swallow?
Children identify and circle the nine items from the story among the distractor pictures. Invite them to name each item as they work.
Rhyming Pictures
Children cut and paste four rhyming matches: snake/cake, sled/bread, dot/pot, and spider/cider.
My Pie
Children design a pie for the old lady by drawing their chosen filling. They then complete the sentence starter, “My pie has…”
Younger children can describe their pie and dictate a response. Kindergarten children can use drawing, labels, or emerging writing to share their ideas.
A Simple Way to Spread the Activities Across the Week
Revisit the book in short sessions, choosing one or two follow-up activities each time.
- First session: Read the story and introduce the feeding activity.
- Second session: Retell with the sequencing mat and answer a few question cards.
- Third session: Try Listen and Find and the Swallowed/Not Swallowed sort.
- Fourth session: Explore the rhyming pairs and choose a matching worksheet.
- Fifth session: Design a pie, share children’s ideas, and revisit a favorite activity.
For preschoolers, offer fewer choices and plenty of opportunities to point, name, and talk. For kindergarten children, add questions about what happened before or after an event and encourage more detailed explanations.
Preparing the Book Companion
Print and cut the activity pieces before your lesson. Cardstock or optional lamination can help reusable materials last through repeated use.
Prepare the old lady feeding prop, gather counters for the picture activities, and copy the worksheets you plan to use.
Store each activity in a separate envelope or pouch so it is easy to bring out again. Teacher directions, listening clues, and answer keys are included.
Get the Complete I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie Activities
Ready to continue the learning? The complete I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie activities packet brings together retelling, sequencing, comprehension, rhyming, and creative responses for preschool and kindergarten.
The book companion includes:
- Six hands-on literacy activities
- Four student worksheets
- Old lady feeding templates in three skin tones
- Blank and picture-cue sequencing mats
- Teacher directions, listening clues, and answer keys
Use it for Thanksgiving read-aloud follow-ups, preschool small groups, kindergarten literacy centers, or learning at home.
Happy Teaching! 😊
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