Sometimes in the classroom, we need to take a step back and reinforce classroom expectations. Think: after vacations, during the longer winter months, or rainy weeks with indoor recess. Those are always the moments when you look out across your room and wonder if students have forgotten the rules. Using a read aloud is a great way to reinforce the expectations with your students. This week we are spotlighting Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse because it is a great way to review classroom rules. This story tackles some of the difficulties our young learners struggle with. Kevin Henkes books are so engaging for students, and they always fall in love with his stories. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes tells the story about Lilly, a young mouse. Lilly adores her teacher, Mr. Slinger, and wants to be a teacher just like him when she grows up.
One day, Lilly gets new sunglasses and a purple purse with coins in it. She brings them to school and is so excited to share them with her class. However, Mr. Slinger tells her she must wait to share them. Lilly has a very hard time waiting and continues to interrupt the class.
As a result, Mr. Slinger takes her things until the end of the day. Lilly is very angry and writes a mean note to Mr. Slinger and leaves it in his bag. On her way home, Lilly finds a kind note from Mr. Slinger and some treats. Lilly feels very guilty and decides to give a note to Mr. Slinger the next day. That day at school, Lilly gets to share her purse and glasses. She is reminded of how much she loves school and Mr. Slinger.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Teachers love using Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse to teach classroom expectations like paying attention and listening to directions. However, did you ever think to use it to teach grammar or writing? We’ve selected some great reading comprehension strategies, grammar lessons, and writing prompts that teachers can use to extend their read aloud of Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse.
- Almost every student is able to relate to Lilly in this story. Use this as an opportunity to practice making connections to a story.
- Discuss how often times books have a message or a lesson. Help students to identify the lesson Lilly learned in the book.
- Use Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse to give students inspiration for narrative writing. They’ll draw on the connections they made to the book to create their own story.
- Practice information writing by having students teach about the classroom rules.
- Teach a lesson on the different types of sentences.
- Discuss the importance of patience and forgiveness.
- Introduce mindfulness to students.
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
Planning a read aloud that also includes writing, grammar and social emotional learning can be time consuming.We’ve created this resource designed to save teachers planning time when it comes to read alouds. With our Starts With the Story Book Companion, you will be ready to teach a lesson right away. Plus, we’ve done the work of creating student activity pages so all you need to do is print and teach!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- The Recess Queen by Alexis O'neil
- My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook
- Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
- Officer Buckle and Gloria by Judith Viorst
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!
