Point of view can be really challenging to teach to elementary students. We love using the book Memoirs of a Hamster to teach this important comprehension skill. This book is written in a diary format told by the hamster, Seymour. Students will love listening to Seymour tell his story and will be engaged with all of the excitement and action this book has to offer. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
Seymour the hamster is very happy with life in his cage. He has everything he needs: his wheel for exercise, a water bottle for hydration, and food. Seymour never thought of leaving his cage until Pearl the cat told him about life outside the cage. She talked about the sunroom and how the stairs were made of sunflower seeds.
Seymour was curious and came up with a plan to leave his cage. However, once he escaped he realized Pearl was lying and instead wanted to catch Seymour! He escaped under the couch and had to wait for her to fall asleep before attempting to run back to his cage. As Seymour ran, the vacuum caused a commotion and Pearl was chasing him again. Thankfully, the little girl who takes care of Seymour came to his rescue. Seymour never wants to leave his cage again.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
While we love using Memoirs of a Hamster to teach point of view, it can be used to teach many other skills and strategies. Below we’ve identified some of the ways teachers can integrate this book into lessons on comprehension, writing, grammar, and social emotional learning.
- This book is filled with figurative language. Have students discuss the similies and idioms found throughout the book.
- Ask students to sequence the events in this story. This is a great way to practice retelling.
- Have students write about how to take care of a pet.
- Ask students to write their own narrative stories about feeling scared.
- Teach students about abstract verbs.
- Practice identifying base words.
- Discuss the importance of problem solving.
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
We know that students will have so much fun reading this book. Students can use these activities to extend students learning and learn new skills. The activities make great lesson plans for teachers, independent activities, and plans for a substitute teacher.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Memoirs of a Goldfish byDevin Scillian
- Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
- Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
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!
