Do you have a student in your class that gets frustrated and shuts down whenever it’s time for a certain activity? Chances are, you do. Working on something that is hard or challenging can be really difficult for some students. They might be afraid to make a mistake, they might not have the confidence, or they just might not like that particular activity. This struggle leaves teachers wondering how they can help. Here’s an idea: read The Dot to your class. We are spotlighting it on the blog this week because it teaches the invaluable lesson of growth mindset. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
The Dot, by Peter Reynolds, tells the story of Vashti, a young girl who thinks she cannot draw. As Vashti sits in art class, her paper is empty and she is clearly frustrated. Her teacher encourages her to make a start by making a mark and signing her name. The following week when Vashti walks into art class, she sees that her dot drawing is behind the teacher’s desk in a fancy gold frame. When she looks at her art, Vashti thinks she can make an even better dot than that. She starts making all big dots, little dots, and different colored dots. When it is time for the school art show, everyone is interested in Vashti’s dot drawings. A young boy admiring her pictures mentions that he wishes he could draw like that. Vashti encourages him to draw a line and sign his name.
This heartwarming story is a great way to introduce growth mindset to students!
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
If you know about The Dot already, you probably know it is a great social emotional learning book. However, did you know it also is a great book to teach grammar and reading comprehension? It might seem like such a simple story but there is so much potential for instruction! Take a look below at just a few examples of how you can use this book in your classroom.
- Inferring can be such a hard skill for students and requires a lot of practice. Use The Dot as another opportunity to help students practice using their inferencing skills.
- Examine the cause and effect of the characters’ actions throughout the story.
- Teach students to write convincing book reviews and back up their opinions.
- Encourage your class to get creative with their writing by continuing the story.
- Teach a mini lesson on interjections and apostrophes.
- Examine how authors use quotation marks.
- Help students understand and learn to use positive self-talk.
- Discuss why it is important that students always put in their best effort.
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
Don’t just read this book to your class, there is so much instruction that can take place thanks to The Starts With a Story Book Companion. You’ll be amazed by the quality of learning that can come from a great read aloud.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
- Ish by Peter H. Reynolds
- What Do You Do With a Problem by Kobi Yamada
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
- Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
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!
