Groundhog Gets a Say 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
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SUMMARY
"Groundhog Gets a Say" by Pamela Curtis Swallow is an endearing children's book that gives a voice to the often overlooked groundhog on Groundhog Day. The story follows a charming groundhog named Groundhog as he tries to set the record straight about his role in predicting the arrival of spring. Groundhog has an important job, but he's so much more than just a season predicting groundhog! Throughout the book groundhog explains his many other qualities and everything about himself that many others may not know about him. With humor and determination, groundhog takes the reader on an educational journey explaining groundhogs many hidden qualities including their ability to climb trees, along with some useful facts such as where they live and what they eat. Through lively illustrations and engaging text, Swallow's book educates young readers about the interconnectedness of animals and the changing seasons, while celebrating the importance of respecting and appreciating all creatures, big and small.
 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.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Have students practice their questioning skills as you read the book.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Have students identify the point of view and discuss the benefits of the narrator.
- Introduce pronouns and practice using them.
- Teach a lesson on irregular verbs.
- Lead a class discussion on the importance of individuality.
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.
- Groundhug Day by Anne Marie Pace
- Groundhog Weather School by Joan Holub
- Groundhog's Day Off by Robb Pearlman
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!
