The Three Billy Goats Gruff 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
SUMMARY
"The Three Billy Goats Gruff" by Paul Galdone is a beloved children's book that tells the classic folktale of three brave billy goats and their encounter with a fearsome troll. The story begins with the goats wanting to cross a bridge to reach a field of fresh green grass. However, a troll lurks beneath the bridge, intimidating anyone who dares to pass. The goats, using their wits and teamwork, devise a plan to outsmart the troll. One by one, they confidently cross the bridge, tricking the troll into waiting for the biggest and strongest goat, who ultimately defeats him. Through Galdone's captivating illustrations and engaging narrative, the book teaches young readers the values of courage, problem-solving, and the importance of sticking together. It emphasizes the power of intelligence over brute force and delivers a satisfying and heartwarming ending.
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.
- Have students practice their questioning skills as you read the book.
- Have students identify the point of view and discuss the benefits of the narrator.
- Read the book to students without showing the pictures. Encourage them to close their eyes and visualize the story. Discuss their visualization as a class.
- 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.
- Introduce comparative adjectives using examples from the story.
- Explore the theme of gratitude and have students brainstorm ways they can help show gratitude.
- Discuss mindfulness with students and practice a mindfulness activity with them.
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
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.
- Goldilocks and The Three Bears by James Marshall
- Grasshopper and the Ants by Jerry Pinkney
- Hansel and Gretel by James Marshall
- John Henry by Julius Lester
- Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg
- Mike Fink by Steven Kellogg
- Paul Bunyan by Steven Kellogg
- Pecos Bill by Steven Kellogg
- Red Riding Hood by James Marshall
- The Boy Who Cried Wolf by B.G. Hennessy
- The Lion and The Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
- The Tortoise and The Hare by Janet Stevens
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!
