The Box Turtle 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
"The Box Turtle" by Vanessa Roeder is a delightful and poignant children's book that follows the journey of Terrance, a box turtle who feels trapped inside his shell. Terrance yearns for adventure and dreams of exploring the world beyond his garden. One day, he discovers a magical book that transports him on imaginative adventures, allowing him to experience the excitement he craves. Through his newfound confidence and courage, Terrance learns to embrace his uniqueness and appreciate the beauty of his own shell. With its whimsical illustrations and heartfelt storytelling, "The Box Turtle" imparts important lessons about self-acceptance, resilience, and the power of imagination. The book encourages young readers to celebrate their individuality and find joy in their own unique experiences. Ultimately, "The Box Turtle" reminds children that they possess the strength and potential to overcome any perceived limitations and to live their lives to the fullest.
 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.
- Practice making predictions throughout the book. Encourage students to check and see if their predictions were correct.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Discuss the books plot and examine the problem and solution.
- Introduce and act out action verbs.
- Find examples of antonyms in the book.
- Teach students a new suffix and give examples from the book.
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.
- Mossy by Jan Brett
- Elmer by David Mckee
- Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
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!
