The book The Arts Lesson is inspired by the author, Tomie dePaola's, true childhood experiences. This is a great book to show children that author's and illustrations started out just like them, as students in school. Students will learn the importance of individuality and creativity through this book. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
Tommy is very excited to go to first grade because he can finally be in an art class! Tommy loves to draw and draw. However, when it is time for art class, the teacher only allows the students to use one piece of paper and the school’s box of crayons. Tommy feels sad about this because he was so excited to use his 64 pack of crayons!
His classroom teacher and art teacher come up with a compromise so that he can work well in the art room, but also be able to use his own crayons.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Here are some skills The Art Lesson lends itself to teaching:
- Identify the author's purpose for writing the story.
- List character traits that describe the main character.
- Have students write a book review of The Art Lesson.
- Ask students to get creative with their writing and continue the story.
- Introduce students to all the different pronouns writers use.
- Teach students about the different ways to make nouns plural.
- Have students share their personal experiences with problem solving.
- Discuss the importance of making good choices and goal setting.
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
We know you and your students are going to love this book so you’ll want to be sure to grab these activities. It will be so much fun to use in the classroom with students.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- The Empty Pot by Demi
- Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
- Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
- The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
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!
