It can be really challenging to talk about difficult concepts such as a death with elementary students. I find that using a read aloud makes it a little easier, especially if they use nonhuman characters. The Rough Patch is a beautiful story that tackles the idea of losing a loved one in a sensitive way. This book makes a great resource for teachers or guidance counselors that are trying to help students with this scary topic. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
The Rough Patch tells the difficult story about a fox that loses his best friend, his pet dog. The two did everything together, and their favorite activity was gardening. It is very hard for Evan, the fox, to continue gardening after the loss of his dog. Evan is angry for awhile and makes his garden the most sad and lonely place. However, over time weeds start to grow in the garden again. Evan feels comfort from tending to them. Soon a pumpkin starts to grow and Evan cares for that, too. The pumpkin reminds him that the fair is coming up. He takes his pumpkin to the fair and enjoys reconnecting with old friends. Evan wins third place at the fair. He must choose his prize: ten dollars or a puppy.
Students will be thrilled to learn that Evan chooses a new puppy!
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
This book is a must have for teachers when it comes to social emotional learning. However, we think it is important to incorporate a variety of subject areas into one read aloud. You can accomplish so much learning when you do this. Here are some ways teachers can use The Rough Patch in their classrooms.
- This book is a great way to practice visualizing! Stop every so often as you read and have students describe the pictures they created in their heads.
- Synthesizing is such a challenging skill for readers. This book is a great opportunity to introduce and practice this skill.
- Have students write how-to books related to events in the story.
- The book lends itself so to many descriptive writing activities. This is a great writing skill to practice.
- Teach a lesson on synonyms and antonyms with examples from the book.
- Explore adjectives and how the author uses adjectives.
- Help students to understand the feelings of grief and loss.
- Teach students strategies for dealing with the difficult transitions in their lives.
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 Starts With a Story book companion for The Rough Patch has 35 comprehension questions, 30 writing prompts, ideas for teaching three grammar skills, and discussion prompts for two different social emotional learning concepts. Our graphic organizers and worksheets are a great way for students to practice new skills or demonstrate their learning. We hope this resource makes planning and teaching so much easier!
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- One Green Apple by Eve Bunting
- My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits
- Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
- The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
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!
