The Golden Acorn 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 Golden Acorn" by Katy Hudson is a delightful children's book that follows the enchanting competitive adventure of a little squirrel. Squirrel loved winning and being the fastest and she even had a golden acorn trophy collection to prove her winnings. During this years competition Squirrel teams up with her new animal friends who aren't as fast or athletic as her. Throughout the competition Squirrel learns about the value of teamwork and friendship while understanding that you don't always have to win. With bravery and determination, Squirrel learns valuable lessons about friendship, self-belief, and the importance of cherishing the moment rather than always winning the golden acorn. In the end, Squirrel makes the decision to always put her friends first because they are more important than a silly trophy.
 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.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Analyze the illustrations in the story. Discuss how they provide meaning that the words might not.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Have students practice their questioning skills as you read the book.
- Explore prepositions and how they describe nouns or pronouns.
- Discuss the importance of teamwork and what a good teammate looks like.
- Lead a class discussion on 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
- 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 Perfect Birthday Recipe by Katy Hudson
- A Loud Winter's Nap by Katy Hudson
- The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
- The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
- The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright
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!
