The Poppy Lady is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 600 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 Poppy Lady" by Layne Johnson tells the true story of Moina Belle Michael and the history behind the poppy symbol. Moina was a school teacher at the beginning of World War I. When Moina first heard about the possibility of the war, she was nervous for all the young men and women. Moina worried about the impact it would have on the young women she taught. When it was decided America would go to war, Moina wanted to do everything she could to help the young soldiers and she was in awe of their bravery and cheerfulness. Moina started by rolling bandages and knitting socks and sweaters but still, she wanted to do more. She began bringing books and magazines to nearby camps but still wanted to do more. Moina decided to travel to New York City to train to become a canteen worker but despite finishing the training, she was too old to go overseas. Moina refused to give up on helping the soldiers and decided to open an area where soldiers could go to relax which was a bright and beautiful space for people to gather and enjoyed spending time talking to soldiers. Inspired by a poem, she started wearing a red poppy on her jacket which caught on and many others started wearing poppies, becoming the symbol of remembrance we know today.
 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.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Have students practice their questioning skills as you read the book.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Identifying the theme, message, or moral is an important skill that takes a lot of practice. Use this story as an opportunity to help your students with this reading strategy.
- Use examples of possessive nouns from the book to teach a lesson.
- Teach a mini lesson on compound words.
- Explore the theme of gratitude and have students brainstorm ways they can help show gratitude.
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.
- America's White Table by Margot Raven
- The Wall by Eve Bunting
- Twenty-One Steps by Jeff Gottesfeld
- Rolling Thunder by Kate Messner
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!
