This Very Tree 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
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SUMMARY
"This Very Tree" by Sean Rubin is a touching tribute and true story about 9/11 from the perspective of a brave tree. Before the 9/11 tragedy a tree was planted in between the Twin Towers in New York City so people could find shade and animals could rest. On September 11, 2001 the tree's home was destroyed but shockingly the tree somehow survived and was named the "Survivor Tree". Nursed back to health and cared for by the community, the tree was loved and eventually got to return to a new version of it's home. The "Survivor Tree" was honored and planted in the 9/11 Memorial symbolizing bravery, strength, and hope. The story "This Very Tree" is a heartwarming and touching story teaching readers about bravery, community, kindness, and resiliency.
 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 identify the point of view and discuss the benefits of the narrator.
- Analyze the setting of this book. Discuss where and when it takes place.
- Have students sequence the important events in the story. This is an important skill when it comes to retelling a story.
- Explore the different ways words can be made plural.
- Teach a lesson on verb tense and have students categorize examples from the book.
- Discuss a social emotional learning concept such as resiliency.
- Discuss different strategies for coping.
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.
- 14 Cows for America by Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah and Carmen Agre Deedy
- Fireboat by Maira Kalman
- The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordical Gerstein
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!
