It is such an important skill for students to be able to work towards a common goal in the classroom. However, it can be hard to teach our young learners to work together. This week we are spotlighting a book that is a perfect example of a community coming together for a common goal. A Chair For My Mother, by Vera B. Willams, is a story that will warm the hearts of teachers and students. Teachers can get the best of both worlds by using this book to build community in the classroom and teach important reading and writing skills. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
A Chair For My Mother, by Vera Williams, is the story of a young girl named Rosa and her mother. Not too long ago, there was a fire in Rosa’s apartment and they lost everything. Their neighbors, friends and family helped by donating many things. However, they did not have a sofa or big chairs. Rosa’s mother worked as a waitress at a diner. Sometimes Rosa helped out at the diner and earned money. Both Rosa and her mother saved their money in a big jar. When the jar was full, they planned to buy the chair of their dreams.
One day, the jar was full! Rosa, her mother and grandmother went to the store searching for the perfect chair. When they found it, they took it home right away. Now Rosa’s mother can sit in the chair to rest after a long day.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
I love integrating reading, writing, grammar and social emotional lessons within a single read aloud. A Chair For My Mother lends itself to engaging lessons and discussions with your students. This book can be used in a whole group read aloud, in small groups, and as well as independent work during centers.
- Introduce and teach new vocabulary words to strengthen students’ knowledge of words.
- Practice making and building words with hands on activities.
- Examine the cause and effect of characters’ actions.
- Compare and contrast events from the story.
- Have students practice letter writing.
- Teach students about expository writing by explaining events related to the book.
- Teach a mini lesson on homophones and multiple meaning words from the text.
- Discuss the importance of kindness and patience in relation to the book and life in the classroom.
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 have the ultimate time saver for teachers, our Starts With a Story Book Companion. Instead of finding activities for grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and social emotional lessons from different resources, you can get it all in one resource! You are going to love it!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Spaghetti in a Hotdog Bun by Maria Mismondy
- Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelets
- The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
- Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
- The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
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!
