Jan Brett books are popular to use for an author study, especially during the winter. She has so many wonderful books that make great read alouds for elementary students. Today we are spotlighting her book The Hat on our blog. This popular classic can be used to teach so many skills, and it is always a student favorite. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
Jan Brett’s book, The Hat, tells the story of a hedgehog named Hedgie. One day while a girl named Lisa is out hanging her clothes to dry, the wind blows one of her socks away. Hedgie comes across the sock and pokes his head inside. Unfortunately the sock becomes stuck on Hedgie’s head. He walks around the farm trying to get the sock off and runs into other farm animals. Each animal laughs at the sight of Hedgie wearing a hat. Although their laughter hurts Hedgie’s feelings, he gives logical explanations for wearing the hat: it’s cozy, it’ll keep him warm in the winter, and dry in the rain.
When Lisa realizes her sock his missing, she runs after Hedgie to take the sock off. As she returns it to the line, she is surprised to find the rest of her clothes missing! The other animals liked the idea of Hedgie’s hat and decided to find their own.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Jan Brett’s books are written so well that they make strong mentor texts. From the story lines, writing, and illustrations there is so much to teach students. Plus, if you are reading several of her books, you can compare and contrast the stories!
- Analyze the illustrations with your students. There is so much to talk about on each picture. Have students keep an eye out for clues!
- Use the illustrations to help students make predictions throughout the story. Stop and discuss students’ predictions as you read.
- Get students writing by having them explain specific events from the book.
- Help students make connections to the text and write their own narrative story.
- Introduce onomatopoeia to students and show examples from the text.
- Explore new homophones with your class.
- Use the story to launch a discussion on teasing and how to handle it.
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
Starts With a Story just added a book companion for The Hat. When you buy this resource you get 35 comprehension questions, 30 writing prompts, lesson ideas, and over 15 student activity pages. There is something for every teacher included in this resource!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- The Mitten by Jan Brett
- The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett
- Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
- Owl Babies by Martin Weddell
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!
