Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden has an important and meaningful message for children. During a first reading, the story might go over some students' heads, the author compares the teacher to a gardener planting seeds, which are her students. However, once students realize this comparison this is such a powerful story. We think it is the type of book that empowers students and helps build strong relationships between the teacher and students. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
Mrs. Spitzer is a teacher at Tremont Elementary School. Throughout this story, the narrator is comparing Mrs. Spitzer to a gardener planting new seeds, her students. At the end of each school year, her principal gives her a new packet of seeds which she will plant. Mrs. Spitzer tends to the new seeds, making sure they get everything they need to grow.
When the plants start to emerge, each one is different. Some of them take longer to grow while others grow quickly. Each plant is unique and needs something different. As the seasons change Mrs. Spitzer watches over her garden and cares for all of the plants. When the year is over, Mrs. Spitzer’s job is done. The plants go forward and continue to grow while Mrs. Spitzer prepares for the new seeds she will receive from her principal.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
If you are planning on using Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden in your own classroom, check out some of the lessons you can use this book to teach. All of these are included in our book companion, plus so many more!
- Practice inferencing! This book is a great way for students to practice their inferencing skills because there is so much that is unsaid.
- Discuss the theme and message of this story and how it relates to students’ lives.
- Ask students to describe themselves as a plant or flower and write detailed descriptions.
- Encourage your students to write letters to previous teachers.
- Teach a mini lesson on articles.
- Practice identifying antonyms.
- Discuss the importance of having a growth mindset when it comes to school and learning.
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 how busy teachers are! Sometimes it can seem like there isn’t enough time in the day to plan your lessons. That’s where our book companions can help. They have everything a teacher needs for a read aloud. Forget coming up with comprehension questions, finding activities, and creating worksheets. With this resource you can focus on teaching and helping your students grow.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Last Day Blues by Julie Danneberg
- Lizzie and the Last Day of SchoolΒ by Trinka Hakes Noble
- A Letter to My Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson
- Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
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!
