The Couch Potato 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
SUMMARY
"The Couch Potato" by Jory John is a hilarious and thought-provoking children's book that humorously explores the dangers of excessive screen time and the importance of an active lifestyle. The story revolves around a lazy and sedentary Couch Potato who spends all day glued to the television. When the other vegetables in the house try to motivate the Couch Potato to join them in various activities, it resists and prefers to stay on the couch. However, when the power goes out, the Couch Potato is forced to venture outside and discovers the joy of physical activity and the beauty of the world beyond the screen. With witty illustrations and clever storytelling, "The Couch Potato" cleverly highlights the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle while encouraging readers to get up, be active, and engage in the world around them. The book delivers a gentle message about balance, moderation, and the benefits of embracing a healthier and more fulfilling way of life.
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.
- Practice comparing and contrasting after you read the book.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Teach a lesson on making connections to enhance comprehension.
- Teach a mini lesson on compound words.
- Explore what onomatopoeia is and how authors use it in their writing.
- Discuss mindfulness with students and practice a mindfulness activity with them.
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
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 Bad Seed by Jory John
- The Cool Bean by Jory John
- The Good Egg by Jory John
- The Great Eggscape by Jory John
- The Smart Cookie by Jory John
- The Sour Grape by Jory John
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!
