This is probably one of Jan Brett’s most popular books and it’s loved by so many readers. Each time I pick up The Mitten, I notice a new detail I hadn’t before. I love using this book in my classroom because the students are so engaged. Between the detailed illustration and cute storyline it is easily a classroom favorite. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
In Jan Brett’s The Mitten, a young boy named Nicki wants his grandmother to knit him snow white mittens. Although she warns him they could get lost in the snow, she makes the mittens anyway. When Nicki goes out to play, he drops one of the mittens in the snow and does not realize. Soon a mole comes by and decides the mitten is a warm, cozy place to stay. Eventually, more and more animals (a rabbit, an owl, fox, bear, mouse, and hedgehog) move inside the mitten.
It is crowded inside the mitten and it continues to stretch more and more. When the mouse climbs on top of the bear’s nose, it tickles and the bear sneezes. All of the animals go flying out of the mitten! As Nicki walks home he sees his mitten flying through the sky. He returns home and Baba is confused about the large, stretched out mitten.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Teachers across all grade levels love The Mitten because it lends itself to such a wide variety of instruction. Although it’s a story book, third grade teachers can use it as a mentor text while teachers of younger students can use it to practice comprehension.
- Practice sequencing- The Mitten is the perfect book to teach a sequencing lesson.
- As you read, stop and have students make connections to the story. This always increases engagement.
- Introduce you opinion writing unit- have students form an opinion on events in the story and give reasons.
- Review or introduce how to write a letter.
- Discuss time order words and practice using them.
- Categorize nouns from the book.
- Discuss the importance of responsibility.
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
The Mitten is so popular among teachers that we knew we had to create a book companion to go with it.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- The Hat by Jan Brett
- The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett
- The Tomten by Astrid Lindren
- Trouble With Trolls by Jan Brett
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!
