April Foolishness is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
Â
SUMMARY
"April Foolishness" by Teresa Bateman is a delightful children's book that takes readers on a humorous journey through a crazy day on the farm on April Fool's Day. The story revolves around grandma and grandpa who are just going on with their daily schedule of getting ready, reading, and cooking while the grandkids scream about crazy things the animals on the farm are doing. Throughout the book grandpa listens to the crazy stories his grandchildren are stating but reacts with the knowledge that it's April Fool's Day. Grandma has a talk with grandpa at the end of the book wondering about the craziness that's going on and grandpa states that the grandkids are just trying to prank him because its April Fool's Day! Grandma's eyes widen and she shares with her husband that April Fool's Day isn't today, its tomorrow! Grandpa runs outside all frightened, but sees all the animals in their pens and cages and turns around to see that he was pranked by not only his grandkids but grandma too! With vibrant illustrations and a lighthearted narrative, Bateman's book teaches children about the joy of harmless pranks and the importance of laughter.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Analyze the setting of this book. Discuss where and when it takes place.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Teach a lesson on making connections to enhance comprehension.
- Practice making predictions throughout the book. Encourage students to check and see if their predictions were correct.
- Explore the different ways words can be made plural.
- Teach students how contractions are used.
- 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
- 30Â 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
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- April Fool! Watch Out at School! by Diane deGroat
- Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
- The Lion and The Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
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!
