If you have struggling readers in your classroom, which you probably do, you absolutely need to read them the book Madeline Finn and the Library Dog. This story is all about a little girl that has a hard time reading so students will be able to relate to her. It is so important for struggling readers to have characters they can identify with so they know they are not alone. We hope that reading about Madeline will give these students confidence! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
Madeline Finn does not like reading of any kind. She has a hard time figuring out the words and makes mistakes. When she reads out loud in class, students giggle. Madline’s teacher gives out stars to students that are good readers and she never gets one. Instead, Madeline gets a heart that says keep trying.
One day at the library, Madeline is introduced to a dog named Bonnie. The librarian suggests Madeline pick out a book read to Bonnie. When she is reading with Bonnie, Madeline is not nervous. Bonnie is patient and lets Madeline figure out the words. Every Saturday, Madeline visits the library and reads to Bonnie. When it is time to read out loud in class again, Madeline is nervous. She thinks of Bonnie as she is reading and reads all the way to the bottom of the page! Madeline finally earns a star for her reading and can’t wait to show it to Bonnie who has a surprise too, puppies!
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Madeline Finn and the Library Dog lends itself to some great social emotional learning lessons. However, teachers can also use it to introduce, review and practice other academic concepts such as comprehension, writing and grammar. Here are some of the topics our lesson plans for this book cover.
- Have students identify the theme of this story and use major events and details from the story to support their thinking.
- Identify who the narrator of the story is and discuss how to identify the narrator.
- Get creative and have students write their own similar story.
- Integrate opinion writing by having students write about who they like to read to.
- Teach a lesson on proper nouns and plural nouns.
- Introduce students to parentheses and how authors use them.
- Discuss strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety.
- Lead a class discussion on the importance of perseverance when it comes to learning.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
We know that as soon as teachers read this book they are going to fall in love! We are so excited to offer these activities to go with the story. There is such a great variety of resources in this book companion that teachers of all different subjects will be able to find lessons to use!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester
- Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
- Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
- Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kensky
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
