Star in the Jar 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
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SUMMARY
"Star in the Jar" by Sam Hay is a heartwarming children's book that captures the magic of friendship, imagination, and the wonder of discovery. The story revolves around a young boy who finds a fallen star and decides to keep it in a jar. With his older sister as his companion, he embarks on a journey to understand the star's purpose and share its light with the world. Through imaginative storytelling and enchanting illustrations, "Star in the Jar" explores themes of love, loss, and the beauty of finding joy in small moments. It highlights the power of sibling bonds and the transformative nature of kindness. The book encourages young readers to cherish the wonder of the natural world and embrace the power of their own dreams and imagination. Ultimately, "Star in the Jar" reminds us all to appreciate the extraordinary within the ordinary and to hold onto the magic of friendship and wonder.
 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.
- Analyze the illustrations in the story. Discuss how they provide meaning that the words might not.
- Teach a lesson on making connections to enhance comprehension.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Discuss the different adjectives used in the book.
- Discuss friendship and the qualities that make a good friend.
- Discuss how problem solving was used throughout the story.
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 Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear
- Flight School by Lita Judge
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
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!
