Grasshopper and the Ants 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
In "Grasshopper and the Ants" by Jerry Pinkney, Grasshopper spends his summer enjoying the warm weather and playing music, while the diligent ants work hard to prepare for the winter. When winter arrives, Grasshopper finds himself hungry and cold, with no food or shelter. He seeks help from the ants, but they remind him of his lazy ways and how he neglected to prepare. However, they show compassion and offer him food and shelter. Grasshopper learns a valuable lesson about the importance of hard work and planning for the future. Jerry Pinkney's stunning illustrations bring the story to life, capturing the beauty of the natural world and the emotions of the characters. The book serves as a reminder of the significance of responsibility and the rewards of diligence and cooperation.
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.
- Have students practice their questioning skills as you read the book.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Practice making inferences throughout the story and after reading.
- Read the book to students without showing the pictures. Encourage them to close their eyes and visualize the story. Discuss their visualization as a class.
- Teach a lesson on multiple meaning words using examples from the story.
- Discuss responsibility and the qualities of a responsible person.
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.
- Goldilocks and The Three Bears by James Marshall
- Hansel and Gretel by James Marshall
- John Henry by Julius Lester
- Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg
- Mike Fink by Steven Kellogg
- Paul Bunyan by Steven Kellogg
- Pecos Bill by Steven Kellogg
- Red Riding Hood by James Marshall
- The Boy Who Cried Wolf by B.G. Hennessy
- The Lion and The Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
- The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone
- The Tortoise and The Hare by Janet Stevens
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!
