Rulers of the Playground 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
"Rulers of the Playground" by Joseph Kuefler is a delightful children's book that explores themes of friendship, fairness, and cooperation. The story revolves around a young boy named Jonah, who believes he is the ruler of the playground and decides to enforce his own rules. However, when a new kid named Lennox arrives, Jonah's authority is challenged. A power struggle ensues as the two try to establish their dominance, but they soon realize that they can have more fun by working together and including everyone. Through its engaging storyline and vibrant illustrations, "Rulers of the Playground" teaches young readers about the importance of inclusivity, compromise, and embracing diversity. It promotes the idea that cooperation and friendship can lead to a happier and more harmonious play environment. The book encourages children to value teamwork and consider the feelings of others, ultimately fostering a sense of empathy and respect.
 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.
- Analyze the illustrations in the story. Discuss how they provide meaning that the words might not.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Introduce pronouns and practice using them.
- Identify different examples of common nouns in the book.
- Explore how characters in the book resolved their conflict.
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.
- The Invisible Boy by Trudy ludwig
- The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill
- The Bad Seed by Jory John
- Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
- We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
- The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
- Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
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!
