Watercress 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
"Watercress" by Andrea Wang is a moving and autobiographical picture book that explores themes of family, culture, and intergenerational connections. The story follows a young girl who reluctantly helps her parents gather watercress by the side of the road. As they harvest the watercress, the girl's mother shares memories of her own childhood in China and the scarcity of food during that time. Through expressive illustrations and evocative storytelling, the book captures the girl's growing understanding of her family's immigrant experience and the importance of embracing her heritage. "Watercress" delves into the complexities of cultural identity, as the young girl discovers the significance of her family's traditions and the resilience they embody. In the end, the book emphasizes the value of empathy, acceptance, and the intergenerational bonds that shape our identities.
 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.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Discuss the author’s use of rhyme and rhythm in this book.
- Discuss the different adjectives used in the book.
- Lead a class discussion on the importance of individuality.
- Talk about empathy in the book and classroom.
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.
- Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena
- Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
- The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
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!
