If you are an elementary teacher chances are you’ve had to deal with the issue of a copycat in class. It could be students calling one another a copycat or a student that doesn’t quite know how to be themselves. Either way, reading the book Ruby the Copycat is a great way to deal with the issue in your classroom. It makes a great read aloud in the beginning of the year to encourage students to be themselves, or as students settle in and start talking about copycats. We are happy to provide a wealth of resources for this book to teachers. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
Ruby is a new student in Miss Hart’s class. She sits behind Angela, who has a pretty red bow in her hair. Ruby starts to copy Angela, she copies what Angela wears, says and does. Everyday at lunch, Ruby leaves school and comes back wearing something similar to Angela. At first, Angela likes when Ruby copies her but after awhile she starts to get mad. Miss Hart talks to Ruby and tells Ruby she should be herself.
When Ruby returns to school, she is wearing red fingernails just like Miss Hart. When Miss Hart shares that she went to the opera over the weekend, Ruby says she went too. Miss Hart encourages Ruby to share something else she did this weekend. Ruby explains to the class that she hopped! She can hop sideways, forward, backward and with her eyes shut. Miss Hart encourages everyone to get up and do the Ruby Hop. For the first time, everyone else is copying Ruby.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
This book is a terrific social emotional learning book, but have you ever considered using it to teach reading comprehension, model writing, or grammar? Check out some of the ways our book companion addresses those skills.
- Ask students to discuss the author’s purpose for writing this story.
- Examine the theme of this book and how the author portrays the theme.
- Ask students to write about their own experiences with copycats.
- Characters in the book write their own poems make it a great opportunity to have students write poetry as well.
- Teach a lesson on plural nouns.
- Explore examples of multiple meaning words that can be found in the book.
- Discuss with students the importance of self esteem and being true to yourself.
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
Ruby the Copycat is a must have for all elementary school teachers. These lesson plans have everything a teacher could want for their read aloud so students are engaged and learning. The best part is our lessons are designed to work across grade levels so you can take them with you if you ever move grades.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill
- Hooway For Wodney Wat by Helen Lester
- Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
- Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
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!
