Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 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
SUMMARY
"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" by Judi Barrett is a whimsical tale set in the town of Chewandswallow, where the weather brings not rain or snow but rather food. People wake up to pancakes falling from the sky, spaghetti tornadoes, and meatballs as big as houses. The story follows the adventures of the town's inhabitants as they navigate the unique weather phenomenon and adapt to living in a world where food falls from the sky. The book combines imaginative storytelling with vibrant illustrations by Ron Barrett to create a delightful and humorous picture book that sparks the imagination of young readers. Through its imaginative premise, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" encourages children to think creatively and invites them to explore the idea of a world where food is the weather.
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 illustrations in the story. Discuss how they provide meaning that the words might not.
- Discuss the books plot and examine the problem and solution.
- Teach a lesson on making connections to enhance comprehension.
- Have students practice their questioning skills as you read the book.
- Identify how authors use time order words in their writing.
- Discuss the different adjectives used in the book.
- Discuss how problem solving was used throughout the story.
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
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.
- Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld
- The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates
- 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!
