Macca the Alpaca 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
"Macca the Alpaca" by Matt Cosgrove is a heartwarming tale about a lovable alpaca named Macca who sets out on a journey of self-discovery. Macca's days were carefree until one day he ran into a bully named Harmer. The bully told Macca that he was weak and small but Macca knew he was a strong alpaca and so the two competed in a challenge to see who was right! Throughout the competition Macca uses his brain to outsmart Harmer using tricks to move heavy things or using a ladder to reach things high in the sky! At the end Macca realizes that being kind and true to himself is what truly matters and treats Harmer with kindness and a big hug. The story emphasizes the importance of acceptance, friendship, and being proud of who you are. The colorful illustrations and catchy rhymes make this book a delight for young readers, while also conveying a powerful message about self-acceptance and standing up against negativity.
 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.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Analyze the illustrations in the story. Discuss how they provide meaning that the words might not.
- Teach a lesson on making connections to enhance comprehension.
- Explore what onomatopoeia is and how authors use it in their writing.
- Explore homonyms throughout the book.
- Share strategies and tools for bullying situations.
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.
- Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andrade
- The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
- The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper
- The Rainbow Fish by Marcus PfisterÂ
- Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
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!
