Harry the Dirty Dog 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
"Harry the Dirty Dog" by Gene Zion is a beloved and endearing children's book that follows the misadventures of a playful white dog named Harry. Harry hates taking baths, so he runs away from home to avoid getting clean. During his days away from home, Harry rolls in dirt, coal, and more, transforming into a scruffy and unrecognizable pup. Eventually, after countless adventures, Harry decides he misses his family and returns home. However, his messy and dirty appearance leaves his family unable to recognize him until a warm bath reveals his true identity. With joyful illustrations and a heartwarming narrative, the book teaches children the value of family, cleanliness, and the fun that can come from even the messiest of situations.
 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.
- Have students sequence the important events in the story. This is an important skill when it comes to retelling a story.
- Teach a lesson on making connections to enhance comprehension.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Teach a mini lesson on compound words.
- Teach students a new suffix and give examples from the book.
- Discuss different strategies for coping.
- 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
- 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.
- Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey
- Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
- Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
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!
