If you're looking for a book to read around Halloween that isn't necessarily about the holiday, Alice and Greta is a great choice. Perhaps your school or students in your classroom don't doesn't celebrate Halloween. This book has some of the themes of Halloween without addressing the holiday itself. We love this book because it has a great lesson at the end. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
Alice and Greta by Steven J. Simmons is the story of two witches. The two have known each other since they were in school. Alice has always chosen to use her magic to help people and spread joy. She helps a family that is stuck on a sandbar and turns a frog into a prince. Greta has always used her magic to create problems for others. She makes children’s soccer balls disappear and causes a wave to destroy a sandcastle.
One day, Greta is looking for trouble. She finds a playground with children and covers them in marshmallow goo! When Alice hears the children’s cries, she tries to help. However, Greta is quick to stop her and traps her in the goo too. Alice must think back to the most important lesson she learned in school to help save the day.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Here are some different ways you can use Little Tree in your classroom:
- Compare and contrast the two main characters in the story.
- Examine the cause and effect of the characters actions.
- Have students write informational sentences or paragraphs about the lesson they learned from the story.
- Get creative and ask students to write about how to make a potion.
- Identify how author's use time order words in their writing.
- Find examples of synonyms in the book.
- Discuss the importance of making good choices.
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
Teachers are saving some much time thanks to our book companions, don't miss out!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
- Piggie Pie! by Margie Palatini
- Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
- Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
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!
