If your students are anything like mine, they’re obsessed with books about dogs. Whenever I pull out a story with dogs, they are so engaged! I like to use this as an opportunity to teach important skills because I know they will be focused on the story. Today, we are spotlighting the book Can I Be Your Dog? because it is such a great read aloud. Not only is it a great book for social emotional learning, but the story is just so sweet! You’re going to love it just as much as your students will. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
The story Can I Be Your Dog? follows a homeless dog named Arfy who is looking for a family. Arfy writes letters to a family, a butcher, the fire department, the junkyard, and the scary last house on the road. Each time, Arfy gets a letter back saying that he can’t be their dog. Arfy feels discouraged each time, but continues to write letters.
After hearing that even the last house on the road wouldn’t take him, Arfy is devastated and goes back to the box that he lives in on the street. There he receives a letter from the mail carrier Mitzy. She wants to be his person! Arfy is overjoyed that he finally found his forever home, and goes to live with Mitzy.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
We love using this book in the classroom because it lends itself to so many different lessons. Whether you are looking to teach reading comprehension, social emotional skills, or a new writing topic, Can I Be Your Dog? is a great mentor text.
- Examine the author’s purpose for writing the story. How can the purpose be identified?
- Practice summarizing and retelling the story. This can be a difficult concept for many students so it is important to practice.
- Teach students how to format and write a letter.
- Integrate this story into your informational writing.
- Explore why authors use interjections.
- Introduce students to the different types of sentences authors use.
- Discuss the importance of perseverance.
- Share strategies students can use to regulate their feelings.
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
Don’t reinvent the wheel if it is already rolling. We took the time to come up with thoughtful lesson ideas and activities related to the book Can I Be Your Dog? so teachers can save time planning their read alouds. We know you’re going to love how much is included in this resource!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- The Bad Seed by Jory John
- Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey
- Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Ruben
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
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!
