About This Chapter
Picture Books Lesson Plans - Chapter Summary
For beginner readers picture books are a good place to start; however, with the small amount of content in them it can be hard to create whole lessons around them. This chapter includes examples of lesson plans for picture books, which you can reference as you plan your own lessons for these books. The picture books featured in these lesson plans include:
- Two Bad Ants
- Where the Wild Things Are
- Chicken Sunday
- 14 Cows for America
- Maasai Tribe
- Caps for Sale
- One Grain of Rice
For your convenience, these lesson plans were made to be mobile-device compatible, thus you may access them whenever and where ever you need, as long as you have access to an Internet ready device.
How It Helps
- Learning objectives: Use the lesson plans of this course to discover different learning objectives you can set using children's picture books.
- Curriculum standards: Discover ways to incorporate picture books into your class to meet curriculum standards.
- Class discussion questions: Identify questions you can ask your students to get them engaged in classroom discussions and their education.
How It Works
This helpful resource offers teachers lesson plan outlines with relevant tools to make planning reading lessons easy.
- Find lesson plans for specific picture books you want to cover in class.
- Formulate your reading class outline using the suggested classroom tools offered in the lesson plans.
- Share the related picture book lessons for each lesson plan with students in class to make learning fun and engaging.
- Use related lesson quizzes to ensure your students understand the most important reading concepts from the lessons.
- Engage your students with relevant reading-related activities, discussion questions or other materials found in the lesson plan outline.
1. Fly Away Home Lesson Plan
This lesson will teach your students about the book 'Fly Away Home'. In addition, they will participate in activities that will reinforce what it is like to be a homeless person.
2. Chris Van Allsburg Lesson Plan
Are your students getting ready to learn about author and illustrator Chris Van Allsburg? Use this lesson plan's text lesson to guide your instruction on Allsburg's work before discussing key concepts and identifying popular work by the author. Finish up with an engaging activity.
3. Chris Van Allsburg: Biography & Books
In this lesson, you will learn about the author and illustrator Chris Van Allsburg. You will also learn a little bit more about his most popular books.
4. Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg Lesson Plan
This lesson plan may be used to help your students answer questions about the text, describe the author's message, and define unfamiliar terms while reading 'Just a Dream' by Chris Van Allsburg.
5. The Velveteen Rabbit Lesson Plan
This lesson plan helps students learn about the story of the Velveteen Rabbit and rabbits in general. It provides discussion questions and topics, an activity, an extension, key terms, and suggestions for extended learning.
6. The Velveteen Rabbit Summary
'The Velveteen Rabbit' is the story of a toy rabbit who is loved so much that he becomes Real. In this summary, you'll get a taste of the wonder, the heartbreak, and the magic of Margery Williams' tale of love between a child and his favorite toy.
7. Anthony Browne Lesson Plan
Use this lesson plan to teach students about author Anthony Browne. Students will observe and analyze books by Browne, study their characteristics, read our text lesson on Browne, then apply learning with an activity.
8. When I Was Five Lesson Plan
This lesson plan will help students better understand ''When I Was Five'' by Arthur Howard. Students will retell the story using illustrations, compare the character's changes over the course of the story, and distinguish between past and present verbs.
9. Peanut Butter and Cupcake Book Lesson Plan
Capture your little students' attention with this fun book about a character name Peanut Butter and his search for a friend. Students will listen to the story, answer questions and complete an activity.
10. Silly Sally Lesson Plan
This lesson plan explores the short story 'Silly Sally' by Audrey Wood. Students will read the story, participate in discussion questions, and complete an activity.
11. Creating Picture Books Lesson Plan
What are picture books and how are they made? This lesson plan explains the characteristics of picture books for students. An activity walks students through the necessary steps to create their own picture books.
12. Grandfather Twilight Activities
Increase understanding and engagement of the book 'Grandfather Twilight' with this lesson. A number of activities are provided for before, during, and after reading using easy-to-access materials.
13. Lois Ehlert Lesson Plan
Lois Ehlert is an award-winning children's author and illustrator. In this lesson, students will learn about Ehlert's life, books and awards, and will use this knowledge to create a collage using her artistic style.
14. Lois Ehlert: Biography, Books & Awards
Author Lois Ehlert is a successful children's book author who is known for her stylistic techniques that produce outstanding results in the literary world.
15. Tomie dePaola Lesson Plan
Are you planning to do an author study with your students? Tomie dePaola, one of the most popular children's author/illustrators, would be a great choice! This lesson includes an introduction to his life and work culminating in a project.
16. Tomie dePaola: Facts & Biography
Tomie dePaola is a well-known name in the children's literature field, having written and/or illustrated more than 250 books. In this lesson, we'll take a closer look at the life and times of Tomie dePaola.
17. Tomie dePaola: Books & Awards
The author of 250-plus books and counting, Tomie dePaola is an icon in the field of children's literature. In this lesson, we will discuss his numerous awards and take a look at some of the books that have made him popular.
18. The Absent Author Lesson Plan
In this lesson plan, we will introduce 'The Absent Author' and the first chapter of the story in an interesting way. We will also cover how to make that introduction a fun way to check comprehension.
19. Maurice Sendak Lesson Plan
Educate your students about beloved author Maurice Sendak with this lesson plan. The students will study a lesson, take a quiz to follow up, and participate in three fun hands-on activities to solidify main concepts.
20. Mem Fox Lesson Plan
Students will learn about a famous Australian author, Mem Fox, in this lesson plan. They will read a lesson, participate in discussion questions, complete an activity and take a quiz.
21. Night Noises by Mem Fox Lesson Plan
This lesson plan will help students use illustrations to describe the events in a story, use phoneme manipulation to decode words, and recognize the meaning behind similes while reading 'Night Noises' by Mem Fox.
22. The Magic Hat by Mem Fox Lesson Plan
This lesson plan uses the book ''The Magic Hat'' to practice prediction, retelling, and rhyme. The lesson includes individual and small group work as well as two writing challenges.
23. Robert Munsch Lesson Plan
After learning about important events in the life of Robert Munsch, students will read and analyze his books 'with a writer's eye' to identify effective writing traits in his writing.
24. Freedom on the Menu Lesson Plan
This lesson plan will help students retell a story, and describe the central message, characters, and events. Student will then be able to compare the experiences of various characters as they read 'Freedom on the Menu' by Carole Boston Weatherford.
25. Arthur Howard Lesson Plan
Kids love to read books with insightful meanings and exciting illustrations. In this lesson, students learn about popular children's author and illustrator Arthur Howard. Students also create a presentation to share and discuss one of Howard's books.
26. Illustrator Arthur Howard: Biography & Books
Beloved by children around the world, Arthur Howard's books and pictures speak to kids in a way they understand. In this lesson on the illustrator and author, you will find a smattering of biographical information as well as a deeper look into the books he has illustrated, written, and both illustrated and written!
27. Hoodwinked by Arthur Howard Lesson Plan
'Hoodwinked' by Arthur Howard is about a witch who desires a creepy pet. This lesson plan includes a fun money counting activity after students listen to the story and answer questions.
28. Mrs. Honey's Hat Lesson Plan
Mrs. Honey gets a new hat in the most unexpected way in 'Mrs. Honey's Hat' by Pam Adams. Your students will participate in physically active games, art projects and writing activities to follow Mrs. Honey and her hat through a week of changes.
29. The Butter Man Lesson Plan
Kids can learn so much from their parents. 'The Butter Man' by Elizabeth Alalou portrays this when young Nora learns about a famine in her father's native Morocco. This lesson plan presents the book and a taste of Moroccan culture to the class.
30. Goodnight Moon Activities for Kids
~'Goodnight Moon~' is a classic children's book that has been around for decades. It is the perfect story to read with young children. This lesson will provide some ideas of how you might use ~'Goodnight Moon~' in your classroom.
31. The Paperboy By Dav Pilkey Lesson Plan
This lesson plan may be used to help your students answer questions about the text, describe the paperboy and his dog, and create a schedule that describes the paperboy's day while reading 'The Paperboy' by Dav Pilkey.
32. What A Wonderful World Book Lesson Plan
Use this lesson to help your students answer questions about the text and understand the author's purpose and word choices while reading 'What a Wonderful World' by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss.
33. Corduroy Book Activities
''Corduroy'' is a picture book that deals with themes of friendship and love. This lesson offers you some ideas for activities that will engage your students in the story.
34. How I Became A Pirate Lesson Plan
This lesson plan may be used to help your students answer questions about the text, retell the story, learn unfamiliar terms, and create their own picture dictionaries while reading ''How I Became a Pirate'' by Melinda Long.
35. Luke Goes to Bat Lesson Plan
This lesson plan may be used to help your students answer questions about the text, use illustrations and text to learn about baseball, and learn about the inspirational Jackie Robinson while reading ''Luke Goes to Bat'' by Rachel Isadora.
36. We're Going on a Bear Hunt Lesson Plan
This lesson will help your students learn about the story 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. Students will read the story and participate in group activities that will further their understanding of the story.
37. Not a Box Lesson Plan
Use this lesson when introducing the students to the book 'Not a Box.' A group activity is included for students to develop another version of the story using a pool noodle.
38. When Jessie Came Across the Sea Lesson Plan
When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest explores themes such as family, tradition, the value of education, and much more. In this lesson plan, students will read the book, answer questions and complete an engaging activity.
39. 14 Cows for America Lesson Plan
Through the activities in this lesson plan, students will learn about the Maasai tribe in Kenya, Africa, and the sacrifice they made for the U.S. as a result of the September 11 attacks. Activities involve having students make connections to the book using drawing and poetry.
40. The Babe & I Activities
'The Babe and I' is a book written by David A. Adler about a boy trying to help make money for his family during the Great Depression era. Use the activities below to help the book make an impact on young readers.
41. Green Shamrocks by Eve Bunting Activities
Eve Bunting's book, 'Green Shamrocks,' is a delightful tale about a rabbit wanting to grow shamrocks to wear in the St. Patrick's Day parade. Use the activities below to make this story truly come to life!
42. A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue Activities
'A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue,' by Julia Cook, is a delightful story about tattling that teachers can use to teach an important lesson. The activities below can be used to help students truly connect with this story.
43. Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch Writing Activities
'Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch' is a delightful book about a lonely old man receiving an unexpected valentine. Use the activities below to help students connect with the true meaning behind the story.
44. Library Mouse Activities
'Library Mouse,' by Daniel Kirk, is a cleverly written story about a mouse in a library. The activities below can be used to bring the book to life and give students a personal connection to the story.
45. Turk and Runt Reading Activities
'Turk and Runt' is a cute Thanksgiving themed story by Lisa Wheeler. The activities in this asset will make reading this story even more fun for young learners.
46. Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Border Activities
'Peanut Butter and Cupcake' by Terry Border is a clever book about a character named Peanut Butter who is looking to make new friends. Use the activities below to help students make connections to this story.
47. The Worst Day of My Life Ever by Julia Cook Activities
'The Worst Day of My Life Ever' is a children's book written by Julia Cook with a great message about listening and following directions. Use the activities below to help students identify the importance of both of these skills.
48. Piggybook by Anthony Browne Activities
'Piggybook' is a book written by Anthony Browne that explores gender stereotypes with an interesting story and clever illustrations. Use the activities in this asset to help students explore the messages hidden in this story.
49. No, David! By David Shannon Activities
This book tracks a boy named David and all the things he does to get in trouble. Use the activities below to bring meaning to the story and help students understand its message.
50. The Farmer in the Hat Activities
'The Farmer in the Hat' is a children's picture book for early readers. It was written by Pat Cummings. Use these activities with your preschool or early elementary students after reading the book.
51. The Polar Express Book Activities
If you are looking for some holiday activities for your elementary school class, try these selections inspired by the classic book 'The Polar Express'.
52. It Looked Like Spilt Milk Activities
'It Looked Like Spilt Milk' is a book written by Charles G. Shaw about looking for shapes in the clouds. Use the activities below to encourage students to look beyond the obvious and see what else there is to see.
53. Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey Activities
If you're teaching elementary students about the events of September 11, you may be interested in the book 'Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey.' These activities will help you get the most out of this important book.
54. Creepy Pair of Underwear Activities
Participating in fun activities related to a great piece of literature connects young children with reading. This asset offers multiple engaging group and individual activities related to the children's story ''Creepy Pair of Underwear.''
55. What Do You Do With a Problem by Kobi Yamada Activities
'What Do You Do With a Problem?' is an inspiring book by Kobi Yamada about a boy learning to face his problems head on and discovering, in the process, the opportunities that hide within. Help your students do the same with these activities.
56. What Do You Do With a Problem by Kobi Yamada Discussion Questions
Students will discuss topics related to the story, illustrations and main idea of Kobi Yamada's work 'What Do You Do With a Problem?'. The discussion questions offered here are designed for students aged 5 years and older.
57. The Empty Pot by Demi Discussion Questions
'The Empty Pot' is a children's story retold by Demi based on a Chinese folktale. This asset provides elementary classroom discussion questions about this story.
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