Climb Into Cloudhaven
Welcome to Cloudhaven, a magical world high above the clouds where giant sunflowers grow and mythical creatures roam. Follow Harper as an unexpected adventure leads her to discover that even one child can make a difference. Along the way, children explore courage, compassion, and the magic that happens when we choose to help others.
Bringing Cloudhaven to Life?
Start with the Reader Guide!
Everything you need to move from the classic tale to dramatic play, the Cloudhaven adventure, Head–Heart–Hands conversations, and hands-on activities—all in one printable guide.
🌱 Create the Mystery Before They Arrive
Give children something to wonder about before the story even begins. Create a beanstalk that appears to have grown right through the classroom—with a pair of little jean-clad legs disappearing into the ceiling!
Get Ready for the Adventure
Begin by reading the original Jack and the Beanstalk. Then give the children time to explore, imagine, and play with props inspired by the familiar story. When playtime is over, invite everyone to the reader circle. A new adventure is waiting—and this time, the stalk may lead somewhere they never expected!
Build a Beanstalk Story Board
Create a reusable beanstalk backdrop with a tri-fold display board, blue sky, clouds, and a tall green stalk. Add a classroom puppet and let it climb all the way to the clouds!
Retell the Adventure
Use classroom props or printable story pieces to act out Jack and the Beanstalk. Children can move the characters and treasures as they tell the story in their own words, building language, sequencing, and imaginative play skills.
Plant the Magic Beans
Fill a sensory bin with rice and lima beans. Children can dig, scoop, pour, and plant the magic beans. Ask, “What will their beanstalk grow into?” Encourage sensory exploration, vocabulary, counting, and imaginative play.
Build a Beanstalk
Use green playdough to roll long stalks. Flatten dough for leaves and pinch the edges to shape them. Rolling, pressing, and pinching help build hand strength and fine motor skills.
Live the Story
Now it’s time to leave the familiar story behind and step into Cloudhaven. Gather the children at the reader circle and introduce Harper and the Sunflower Stalk. As Harper’s adventure unfolds, invite the children to imagine that they, too, have climbed into Cloudhaven—a world high above the clouds filled with giant sunflowers and magical creatures.”
🌻 Grow a Giant Sunflower
Before reading, place a giant paper sunflower somewhere near the reader circle—much taller than the children. It could be made from green bulletin-board paper with a large yellow paper flower at the top. After Harper reaches Cloudhaven, reveal the sunflower and tell the children, “I think something from Cloudhaven has grown in our classroom!”
🦄 Cloudhaven Needs Your Help
Harper isn’t the only one who can help! Before the story, hide several mythical creatures around the room. Use classroom figures or stuffed creatures if you have them, or print and cut out the Cloudhaven Characters below. As Harper discovers that the animals need help, invite the children to search for the creatures and bring them safely back to the reader circle.
☁️ Enter Cloudhaven
One at a time, invite each child to wave their wand and step into the circle. As they enter, say: “Welcome to Cloudhaven, where even the smallest helper can make a big difference. ”Once everyone has entered, ask the children to place their wands beside them so they are ready to listen. As Harper discovers that the creatures of Cloudhaven need help, the children can pick up their wands again and join her mission.
📖 While You Read
For the first reading, let the story unfold and allow the children to become absorbed in Harper’s adventure. Enjoy the surprises, reveal the giant sunflower, and let the children join Harper’s mission to help the creatures of Cloudhaven. On a second reading, slow down and invite the children to notice clues, think about how the creatures might be feeling, and imagine what they would do if they were in Cloudhaven with Harper.
🌻 Notice the Problem
As Harper explores Cloudhaven, encourage the children to notice when things begin to change. Ask simple questions such as:
“What do you notice?”
“What do you think is happening?”
“How do you think the creatures are feeling?” Let the children discover the problem alongside Harper rather than explaining it in advance.
💛 What Would You Do?
“If you were in Cloudhaven with Harper, what could you do to help?”
After the Story
The story may be over, but the adventure isn't! Take a few minutes to help children think about what they learned, how the story made them feel, and what they can do with what they discovered.
🧠 Head — What Did We Discover?
- What was happening to the flowers in Cloudhaven?
- Why did the creatures need Harper's help?
- What did Harper decide to do?
- What happened when other people joined Harper's mission?
❤️ Heart — What Did We Feel?
- How do you think the creatures felt when they were running out of flowers?
- How do you think Harper felt when she realized they needed help?
- How do you feel when you are able to help someone?
- How do you think the creatures felt when they knew they weren't alone?
🙌 Hands — What Can We Do?
- What are some ways children can help animals?
- What can we do when we notice that someone—or an animal—needs help?
- Who could we ask for help if a problem is too big to solve on our own?
- What is one small thing you could do to make a difference?
Keep the Magic Going
The story may be finished, but the adventure isn’t! Keep exploring, thinking, creating, and discovering with these free SpiroTales activities.
🌱 Grow Your Own Magic Stalk
The adventure doesn’t have to end when the story does! Let each child plant a bean and watch their own “magic stalk” grow.
Take a photo of each child posing as though they are climbing a beanstalk. Print and cut out the photo. Have each child plant a bean seed in a small paper cup and place a craft stick or small dowel in the soil. Attach the child's climbing picture to the stick. As the bean begins to grow, gently guide the vine around the stick so it looks as though the child is climbing higher and higher each day.
Invite children to check their stalk each morning and notice what has changed. They can measure it, count new leaves, draw what they observe, or simply enjoy watching the magic happen.
🌱 Jack and Harper: Same and Different
Teacher Directions: After reading both Jack and the Beanstalk and Harper and the Sunflower Stalk, gather the children together to discuss the two stories. Display the Venn diagram where everyone can see it. Explain that the two outside sections show things that are different about Jack's and Harper's adventures. The overlapping middle section covers events that occur in both stories.
Print the Jack and Harper Venn DiagramWorking with Early Learners?
For younger children, take the Venn diagram off the page and put it on the floor! Overlap two hula hoops to create a giant Venn diagram. Print and cut out the story characters and objects below. Invite children to place each picture in Jack’s story, Harper’s story, or the overlapping space for things found in both stories. Talk about each choice as you sort—and don’t be afraid to move a picture when someone notices something new!
Print the Early Learner Story Sort🙌 Cloudhaven Helping Hands
Harper discovered that even someone small can make a big difference—and your class can, too! Invite the children to help animals in their own community by organizing a schoolwide collection for a local animal shelter or rescue. The class might collect unopened pet food and needed supplies, or hold a “Pennies for Pets” collection to raise money for the shelter. Before beginning, contact the organization to find out what items they need most and whether they are able to accept monetary donations. Let the children help make signs, decorate collection boxes, count donations, and share the project with other classrooms. When the collection is complete, consider inviting someone from the shelter or rescue to visit the school and accept the children's gifts.
The magic leaves the storybook when children discover that their own hands can help someone else.
🎒 Take the Magic Home
The story doesn't have to end when children leave the classroom! Send a little SpiroTales Magic home and invite families to continue the conversation together. Once their beanstalk has grown tall enough to wind around its little climbing stick, send it home with the children.
Print the Family Note