Substitute Creacher 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
"Substitute Creacher" by Chris Gall, is a story about a class of students who are excited to learn that they will be having a substitute teacher. Once the substitute walks through the door the students instantly get scared when a scary creature enters their classroom. During the day individual students do different naughty activities which causes the substitute to share past scary stories of students who were punished for their bad actions. After sharing multiple scary and unfortunate stories the substitute reveals his own story, sharing to the students that he too was once a naughty student yet normal looking boy who was turned into a monster because of his bad decisions. The book "Substitute Creacher" is a delightful blend of humor, suspense, and heartwarming moments, ultimately teaching readers that first impressions can be deceiving, understanding and acceptance can lead to meaningful connections, and to always behave because there is always a consequence for a negative action.
 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.
- Discuss the author’s use of rhyme and rhythm in this book.
- Identifying the theme, message, or moral is an important skill that takes a lot of practice. Use this story as an opportunity to help your students with this reading strategy.
- Cause and effect can be a difficult skill for students. This book is a perfect mentor text for teaching this skill.
- Teach a mini lesson on compound words.
- Teach students a new suffix and give examples from the book.
- Discuss the importance of self regulation.
- Discuss impulse control strategies students can use independently.
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 Substitute Teacher from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler
- Jamaica and the Substitute Teacher by Juanita Havill
- Miss Malarkey Won't Be In Today by Judy Finchler
- Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry G. Allard Jr.
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!
