Nightsong 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
Â
SUMMARY
"Nightsong" by Ari Berk and Loren Long is a beautifully illustrated story about a young bat named Chiro who is about to embark on his first solo flight in the dark. Chiro is anxious and afraid, but his mother encourages him to use his "night song" to navigate through the darkness. As Chiro explores the night, he encounters different creatures and learns about the world around him. With each encounter, Chiro gains confidence in his ability to navigate and communicate using his night song. The story highlights the importance of facing fears, trusting oneself, and embracing one's unique abilities. The lush illustrations and poetic language make "Nightsong" a captivating read that celebrates the beauty and wonder of the night.
 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.
- Read the book to students without showing the pictures. Encourage them to close their eyes and visualize the story. Discuss their visualization as a class.
- Have students practice their questioning skills as you read the book.
- Have students identify the point of view and discuss the benefits of the narrator.
- Introduce and act out action verbs.
- Introduce pronouns and practice using them.
- Introduce students to quotation marks and provide examples from the book.
- Discuss mindfulness with students and practice a mindfulness activity with them.
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.
- Stellaluna by Janell CannonÂ
- Bat's Big Game by Margaret Read Macdonald
- Bat Loves the Night by Nicola Davies and Sarah Fox-Davis
- Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
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!
