Norman Didn't Do It (Yes, He Did) is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 600 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
"Norman Didn't Do It (Yes, He Did!)" by Ryan T. Higgins is about Norman and Mildred who were best friends who did everything together. They read books together, played games together and they loved spending time with each other. One day, a new tree starts to grow next to Mildred and Norman gets very concerned that Mildred is going to like the new tree more than she likes him. He loses it when Mildred and the new tree get close enough to touch branches so Norman decides to move the new tree to an island where it can be all by itself and far far away. Mildred gets upset that the new tree is gone and Norman starts to feel guilty. He goes back and gets the tree and the three of them learn how they can all be friends and spend time together. The book is a delightful exploration of appearances, assumptions, and the importance of giving others the benefit of the doubt, all while providing plenty of laughs along the way.
 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.
- Teach a lesson on making connections to enhance comprehension.
- Teach students how contractions are used.
- Teach a lesson on the different types of sentences.
- Discuss friendship and the qualities that make a good friend.
- Use this book to discuss a variety of emotions with students and how to manage 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.
- Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins
- We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
- We Will Rock Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
- Wilfred by Ryan T. Higgins
- We Don't Lose Our Class Goldfish by Ryan T. Higgins
- Bruce's Big Storm by Ryan T. Higgins
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!
