It can be difficult to find quality mentor texts to reading strategies to elementary students. Today we are spotlighting a wonderful read aloud to add to your classroom library, Crown an Ode to the Fresh Cut. Not only does this book have wonderful figurative language, but it is a story all students will be able to relate to. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
Crown an Ode to the Fresh Cut is told from the point of view of a narrator. The narrator is explaining to a boy who is about to get his haircut how he feels after his haircut. He talks about what a good haircut can do for a person’s confidence, and how other people will feel when they see his fresh cut.
The narrator of this story describes many different people in the barbershop and the different hairstyles they have. He says that the hairstyles make the people look important, and that the boy will feel that way too after his haircut.
Students will love this story about different hairstyles and what they can do for a person’s confidence. They will want to rush out and get their hair cut!
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
While this book is a great choice for teaching figurative language and point of view, it lends itself to teaching so many different skills too. Read alouds not only teach children about story elements, but they can be used as a model of quality writing. Here are some ways to use Crown and Ode to the Fresh Cut with your students.
- Practice identifying the author's purpose for writing the story.
- Encourage students to make personal connections to the events in the book.
- Engage students in descriptive writing as they write about getting a hair cut.
- Teach students to write about their opinions and back it up with reasons.
- Review adjectives and compound words.
- Introduce students to a variety of contractions
- Discuss the importance of self esteem.
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
Chances are, you might not have heard of this book before. The good news is, you can teach it right away with these printable lessons and activities. We’ve created these activities to be used across a range of elementary grade levels so they are great for differentiation too!
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Bippity Bop Barbershop by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
- Bedhead by Margie Palatini
- Hair Love byย Matthew A. Cherry
- Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melonย by Patty Lovell
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!
