This week we are spotlighting the book Seven Spools of Thread. I am always looking for books to add to my Holidays Around the World Unit. This is something I teach in my class every winter and I can’t wait to add this Kwanzaa book to my collection. This book is a great way to introduce Kwanzaa to your students while also engaging them in a great folktale! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
The Seven Spools of Thread is a folktale that takes place in Ghana. There are seven brothers that live in a village and they argue day and night. When their father passes away, the village Chief tells them that their father has left them his inheritance. However, in order to receive it they must do two things: turn seven spools of thread into gold, and do so without arguing. The brothers return home and come up with a plan together. Eventually, they decide to try creating something with the thread to sell in exchange for gold. The brothers create a colorful fabric, which is different than the single colored fabric in their village. A treasurer for the King gives the brothers gold for the fabric and they earn the inheritance. The brothers show compassion to their village by teaching others to turn thread into gold.
The seven threads in this story symbolize the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
The best part about Seven Spools of Thread is that it is so much more than a holiday book. Here are some ways I plan to use this book in my class.Â
- Compare and contrast the characters interactions in the beginning and end.
- Discuss the author’s purpose for writing this story.Â
- Integrate the book into your informational writing unit by having children explain things they learned from the story.
- Encourage students to be detailed with their writing by specific events or illustrations from the story.
- Introduce new prefixes and suffixes.Â
- Teach the purpose of an apostrophe.Â
- Talk about cooperation in the book and classroom.
- Encourage students to think about ways they can show compassion.
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
Whether you’re just getting started with holidays around the world, or you’ve taught it for awhile, the Starts With a Story Book Companion will be a huge help.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
- The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePaola
- Cobweb Christmas by Jane Manning
- Latke the Lucky Dog by Ellen Fischer
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!
