Teaching Guides

Teaching Guide

GRL K

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Amelia Bedelia’s mouth gets bumped at school, her loose tooth pops out! But where is it? Her friend Dawn finds it on the floor. Miss Edwards gives Amelia Bedelia a tiny box to put her tooth in, but after lunch the tiny box is empty! Where could Amelia’s tooth be this time? Mr. Rice, the principal, helps her find it in the Lost and Found. Amelia Bedelia finally takes her tooth home and puts it under her pillow, and this time the Tooth Fairy finds it!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Why was Amelia Bedelia worried about her tooth when it was loose in her mouth? Why was she worried about her tooth after it fell out? How do her family and friends try to help her? Is this book a fiction or nonfiction book? How do you know? Common Core State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.1, RL.K.5, RL.1.1, RL.1.5, RL.2.1, RL.3.1

2. Why does Miss Edwards give Amelia Bedelia a tiny box?

Does the author tell us how the tooth gets from the tiny box to the Lost and Found? Does the illustrator show us what happened? What might have happened to the tooth between the time Amelia Bedelia put it in the box and the time she found it in the Lost and Found? Is there a way to find out for sure? Why do you think so?

Common Core State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.1,

RL.K.6, RL.1.1, RL.1.7, RL.2.1, RL.2.7, RL.3.1, RL.3.6

3. What does Amelia Bedelia’s mom mean when she says the tooth is “hanging by a thread” on page 6? On page 28, what does “finders keepers” mean? Why does

Amelia Bedelia say that on the last page? Common Core

State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.1, RL.K.4, RL.1.1,

RL.2.1, RL.2.4, RL.3.1, RL.3.4

4. Look for the illustration of the Tooth Fairy on page 7. See if you can find the other illustration of the Tooth Fairy in this book. Where is she? Imagine you are the Tooth

Fairy telling one of your friends about what happened to Amelia Bedelia’s tooth. Use the illustrations in the book to help you remember what happened first, next, and last. Common Core State Standards (Language): RL.K.2,

RL.K.7, RL.1.2, RL.1.7, RL.2.2, RL.2.7, RL.3.2

Common Core State Standards (Speaking and Listening) that discussions might also address: SL.K.1a-b, SL.K.2, SL.K.6,

SL.1.1a-c, SL.1.2, SL.1.6, SL.2.1a-c, SL.2.2, SL.2.6, SL.3.1a-d, SL.3.6

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EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

Treasure Chest: In art class, Amelia Bedelia draws a picture of her tiny box, which looks like a small treasure chest. She writes the name of her treasure (her tooth) under her drawing. Draw your own picture of a treasure chest. Then think about what you would put in it. Write the name of your treasure under your picture. Then say or write why you chose that thing as your treasure. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.1, W.1.1, W.2.1, W.3.1

Tale of a Tooth: What does a tooth look like when it comes out of your mouth? You might already know, or you might have to look it up. Draw a picture of a tooth. Then write a story about that tooth. It could be a true story about something that happened to one of your teeth, or it could be a story that you make up about a tooth. You choose! Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.3, W.K.8, W.1.3, W.1.8, W.2.3, W.2.8, W.3.3, W.3.8

Count on Your Teeth: How many teeth do you have? Count them and write down the answer. Then make a list of all of the things you do with your teeth each day. Now write a poem or song about your teeth, telling how you use them and what you do to take care of them. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.2, W.1.2, W.2.2, W.3.2

Find Your Favorite: There are lots of books written about Amelia Bedelia. Find and read at least one other Amelia Bedelia book. Then decide which one is your favorite. Draw a picture of a character or event from the book you chose and then tell why you like that book best. Common Core State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.9, RL.1.9, RL.2.9, RL.3.9; (Writing): W.K.1, W.1.1, W.2.1, W.3.1

Common Core State Standards (Writing) that writing activities might also address: W.K.5, W.K.6, W.1.5, W.1.6, W.2.5, W.2.6, W.3.4, W.3.5, W.3.6

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Teaching Guide

GRL J

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sam has news to share on the first day of first grade: He has a baby elephant named Daisy. In fact, he knows all about elephants. But how can that be? No one has their own elephant. At least that’s what Sam’s first-grade class thinks—until they take a field trip to the zoo. That’s where everyone meets Daisy, the baby elephant Sam has been telling them about all along!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What does Sam want to share with the class on the first day of first grade? On pages 10–15, what are some facts about elephants Sam tells his friends? Is this book a fiction or nonfiction book? How do you know?

Common Core State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.1,

RL.K.5, RL.1.1, RL.1.5, RL.2.1, RL.3.1

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

Sam’s Poem: In language arts, Sam wrote a poem about an elephant. Pretend you are Sam and write a poem about Daisy. Use the words and illustrations from the book for ideas if you need help. Common Core State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.5, RL.1.3, RL.2.7, RL.3.3; (Writing) W.K.2, W.1.2, W.2.2, W.3.2

2. On page 25, what describing words does the author use to tell about the elephants? What does magnificent mean? What other words can you think of that describe the elephants on this page or elephants you have seen someplace else? Common Core State Standards (Reading:

Literature): RL.K.1, RL.K.4, RL.1.1, RL.1.4, RL.2.1, RL.2.7, RL.3.1,

RL.3.4

3. Why does Sam think he has the best seat in first grade?

Do you agree with him? Why or why not? Do you think

The Best Seat in First Grade is a good title for this book? Why do you think so? What are some other titles the author could have used for this book? Common Core

State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.1, RL.K.6, RL.1.1,

RL.2.1, RL.3.1, RL.3.6

4. Look for the words on pages 9 and 17 that are written using only uppercase letters. Why are they written that way? Read each of these pages aloud, using your voice to give these special words special treatment.

What are some other ways a writer can show that a word or words are meant to be read differently? Use the other pages in this book for clues if you need some help. Common Core State Standards (Reading: Literature):

RL.K.1, RL.1.1, RL.2.1, RL.3.1; (Foundational Skills) RF.K.1, RF.1.4b,

RF.2.4b, RF.3.4b

Common Core State Standards (Speaking and Listening) that discussions might also address: SL.K.1a-b, SL.K.2, SL.K.6, SL.1.1a-c, SL.1.2, SL.1.6, SL.2.1a-c, SL.2.2, SL.2.6, SL.3.1a-d, SL.3.6

Visit www.icanread.com for more teaching guides! Ele-Facts: Sam knows a lot of facts about elephants. Look back through the book to find the elephant facts Sam shares with his class. Then do your own research on elephants. Find fivet more facts about elephants that aren’t in this book. Make an elephant fact sheet. Write down the facts you’ve learned about elephants. Add to your fact sheet whenever you learn something new about Sam’s favorite animal. You can even make more fact sheets about the animals that are your favorites. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.2, W.K.8, W.1.2, W.1.8, W.2.2, W.2.8, W.3.2, W.3.8

You at the Zoo: Sam’s first-grade class saw a lot of different animals at the zoo. Which of those animals would you have made a clay model of if you had been on the field trip to the zoo? Use clay, paper, plastic blocks, or other materials to make a model of the animal you would have chosen, and then write a paragraph to go with it. Tell why you chose that animal, what you would name it, and how you would take care of it if you were a zookeeper. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.1, W.1.1, W.2.1, W.3.1

The Best Seat: What’s the best seat in your classroom or home? Draw a picture of yourself sitting in that seat. Then write a paragraph explaining why you think that seat is the best seat. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.1, W.1.1, W.2.1, W.3.1

Common Core State Standards (Writing) that writing activities might also address: W.K.5, W.K.6, W.1.5, W.1.6, W.2.5, W.2.6,

W.3.4, W.3.5, W.3.6 W.2.6., W.3.6. 58

Pete the Cat: Super Pete

Teaching Guide

GRL J

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Pete the Cat gets a beep on his watch, he races home, steps into his hidden lair, and becomes Super Pete! The mayor needs Super Pete’s help to save the city. He flies through the air in his invisible jet to find the bad guys in the warehouse. Then the chase is on! In the end, two bad guys are no match for Super Pete, who catches them and delivers them to the mayor. Super Pete has saved the day!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What are some of the things Pete has in his lair? Why does he have those things? Common Core State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.1, RL.1.1, RL.1.7, RL.2.1, RL.2.7, RL.3.1

2. On pages 16 and 17, how does the picture show that

Super Pete’s plane is invisible? Why would Super Pete want an invisible plane? Common Core State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.1, RL.K.2, RL.1.1, RL.1.2, RL.2.1, RL.2.2,

RL.3.1, RL.3.2

3. What were the bad guys doing? What did Super Pete do first to try to catch them? What did he do next?

How did he finally catch them? Why does he tie them up? What does he do with them after that? Common

Core State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.1, RL.K.2,

RL.1.1, RL.1.2, RL.2.1, RL.2.2, RL.3.1, RL.3.2

4. What does it mean to save the day? How did Super

Pete save the day? Common Core State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.1, RL.K.3, RL.K.4, RL.1.1, RL.1.3,

RL.2.1, RL.2.3, RL.3.3

Common Core State Standards (Speaking and Listening) that discussions might also address: SL.K.1.a.-b, SL.K.2, SL.K.6, SL.1.1.a.-c, SL.1.2, SL.1.6, SL.2.1.a.-c, SL.2.2, SL.2.6, SL.3.1.a.-d, SL.3.6

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

Awesome, Groovy, Nifty Superheroes: If something is super, like Super Pete, it’s really good. Look through the book to find three more words that mean the same or almost the same as super. Next, think of four more words you know to add to the list. Then write a story about Super Pete or some other superhero. Use as many words from the list as you can in your story. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.3, W.1.3, W.2.3, W.3.3 A Note of Appreciation from the Mayor: Pretend you are the mayor. Write a thank-you note to Super Pete to tell him how much you appreciate his help saving the city and saving the day! Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.1, W.1.1, W.2.1, W.3.1

Read It, Write It, Act It Out: There are a lot of action words in this book! Look through the pages to find all of the words that describe action, like races, presses, slides, steps, zips, shimmers, and so on. Write each word on a notecard or small piece of paper. Then pull two cards at a time out of a container. Write a sentence that uses both words. Then circle the action words in your sentence. Try using three action words in one sentence. Can you do it? Next read the words on the cards and act them out. Use your imagination and see what kind of games you can come up with using all of these action words! Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.8, W.1.8, W.2.8, W.3.8

A New Adventure for Pete the Cat: Look at all of the Pete the Cat books shown on the inside back cover. Choose one and write a story about Pete that matches the title and the picture on the cover of the book you chose. Then find a copy of that book and read the story. How does your Pete story compare to the one written by the Deans? How are your stories the same? How are they different? Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.3, W.1.3, W.2.3, W.3.3; (Reading: Literature): RL.K.9, RL.1.9, RL.2.9, RL.3.9

Common Core State Standards (Writing) that writing activities might also address: W.K.5, W.K.6, W.1.5, W.1.6, W.2.5, W.2.6, W.3.4, W.3.5, W.3.6

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Teaching Guide

GRL Q

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Albert Einstein was a little boy growing up in Germany, he loved music, math, and science. He also loved to think and ask questions. He kept thinking and asking questions when he got older and went to college, got a job, and started a family. Eventually all of his wondering and experimenting helped him become a world-famous scientist. In fact, Albert Einstein’s ideas are still being used by scientists and inventors today.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What kinds of things did Albert Einstein enjoy doing when he was growing up? How might these interests and choices have helped him succeed as a scientist?

Common Core State Standards (Reading: Informational Text):

RIT.K.1, RIT.K.3, RIT.1.1, RIT.1.3, RIT.2.1, RIT.2.3, RIT.3.1, RIT.3.3

2. If you were introducing Albert Einstein to someone else, what would you say about him? Use details from the book to support your answer. Where could you look to find out more about him? What kinds of things would you like to know about his life? Common Core

State Standards (Reading: Informational Text): RIT.K.2, RIT.1.2,

RIT.2.2, RIT.3.1

3. Which illustration in the book is your favorite? Why?

Which photograph in the book is your favorite?

Why? How are your two choices the same? How are they different? Common Core State Standards (Reading:

Informational Text): RIT.K.7, RIT.1.7, RIT.2.7, RIT.3.7

4. Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge” (p. 24). What do you think he meant by that? Why do you think the author included that quote in the book? Read the other Einstein quotes on the last page. Why might the author have chosen to include those quotes? What do they tell you about

Albert Einstein? Common Core State Standards (Reading:

Informational Text): RIT.K.1, RIT.1.1, RIT.1.4, RIT.2.1, RIT.2.6,

RIT.3.1, RIT. 3.6

Common Core State Standards (Speaking and Listening) that discussions might also address: SL.K.1a-b, SL.K.2, SL.K. 6, SL.1.1a-c, SL.1.2, SL.1.6, SL.2.1a-c, SL.2.2, SL.2.6, SL.3.1a-d, SL.3.6

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

Curious Minds: The title tells readers that Albert Einstein had “a curious mind.” He spent his life asking questions and then trying to answer them. What do you wonder about? Make a list of questions you have about the world, and then choose one to research. Write your question and then what you found in your research. Or, choose one of the questions from the book (pp 16–17), do some research, and write the answer to that question. Include a list of the resources you used to find your answer. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.2, W.1.2, W.2.2, W.3.2

Try and Try Again: When Albert was 16, he took a test to get into college and failed. So he took the test again the next year and passed. He also had to keep trying to get the teaching job he wanted. Albert was willing to try again and again until he succeeded. Write about a time when you tried and failed at something before you finally succeeded. Include what you learned from that experience in your conclusion. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.3, W.1.3, W.2.3, W.3.3

More Fun Facts: Reread the fun facts about Albert Einstein on page 30. Look for two more facts in the book that you think are especially interesting to know about this famous scientist. Now write your own fun facts page. Include three (or more!) interesting facts about you. Draw a picture or find a photo to go with each of your fun facts. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.8, W.1.8, W.2.8, W.3.8

Rest Your Brain: Albert played the violin to “rest his brain.” Think about how that could have helped him feel calm and think better. Think about what you like to do when you need to rest your brain. Draw a picture that shows what you like to do for a quiet, calming time. Then write a paragraph to go with your picture that explains how that activity helps you calm down and think clearly and why others might want to try it. When you’re done writing, take a break and relax—your brain has earned a rest! Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.1, W.1.1, W.2.1, W.3.1

Common Core State Standards (Writing) that writing activities might also address: W.K.5., W.K.6., W.1.5., W.1.6., W.2.5., W.2.6,

W.3.4., W.3.5., W.3.6 60

Teaching Guide

GRL K

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Cece takes her dog Einstein to school so he can help with a science experiment. In class, Miss Curie gives each team of students some supplies, and the teams have to use their supplies to build push-and-pull dog treat dispensers. Working together, Cece and her friends solve the problem. They find a way to push and pull objects to give Einstein a treat. Miss Curie, Cece, and her friends love science—and Einstein loves those treats!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Why does Cece bring her dog Einstein to school?

What is the science experiment Miss Curie has planned? What is the problem each team has to solve?

Common Core State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.1,

RL.1.1, RL.2.1, RL.3.1 you try to find an answer to each question, write down what you’re planning to do and what you think will happen. Afterward, write down what actually happened. When you’re all done experimenting, write down what you learned about the forces of push and pull. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.2, W.1.2, W.2.2, W.3.2

2. How does Cece’s team solve the problem of getting a treat to Einstein? How do they use each of the supplies?

Where do they use a push? Where do they use a pull?

Common Core State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.1,

RL.K.3, RL.1.1, RL.1.3, RL.2.1, RL.2.3, RL.3.1, RL.3.3

3. Why do you think Cece loves science? Why do you think the authors wrote this book? Look at the cover of the book and the small drawings in the air around the title. What do those drawings have to do with the story? Common Core State Standards (Reading: Literature):

RL.K.1, RL.K.7, RL.1.1, RL.1.7, RL.2.1, RL.2.7, RL.3.1, RL.3.7

4. On pages 38-40, there are some special features that go with the story about Cece’s science class, but they’re not part of the story. How do those three pages go with the story? How are pages 38 and 39 like each other?

Different? What makes page 40 different from pages 38 and 39? What are the answers to the questions at the bottom of page 40? Why might the authors have decided to include these pages in this book? Common

Core State Standards (Reading: Literature): RL.K.1, RL.1.1,

RL.1.5, RL.2.1, RL.3.1, RL.3.5

Common Core State Standards (Speaking and Listening) that discussions might also address: SL.K.1a-b, SL.K.2, SL.K.6, SL.1.1a-c, SL.1.2, SL.1.6, SL.2.1a-c, SL.2.2, SL.2.6, SL.3.1a-d, SL.3.6

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

Fun with Push and Pull: Choose one of the experiments from pages 38 and 39, or make up your own push-andpull experiment. Gather your supplies. Then write a list of questions you’re going to try to answer with your experiment. (See pages 38-39 for examples.) Before Love to Learn: Cece loves science. What is your favorite thing to learn about? Write a letter or email to a teacher, friend, or family member telling them what you love to learn about most and why. Then think of a way you could share what you know about your topic with someone else, like a younger student or someone in your family. Plan to spend time together sharing what you know with each other. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.1, W.1.1, W.2.1, W.3.1

Famous Scientists: The authors have used the names of some famous scientists from history as names of characters in this book: (Albert) Einstein, (Marie) Curie, and Isaac (Newton). Choose one or more of these names, or choose a famous scientist you admire, and find out more about him or her. Draw a picture that tells something about this person, and then write a paragraph explaining who the person is and why he or she became famous. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.2,W.K.7, W.1.2, W.1.7, W.2.2, W.2.7, W.3.2, W.3.7

Solving Problems: Scientists like to solve problems. If you like to solve problems, you might decide to become a scientist! Think about a problem you’ve had that you were able to solve. How did you solve it? Write a story about how you solved that problem. Make sure your story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Common Core State Standards (Writing): W.K.3, W.K.8, W.1.3, W.1.8, W.2.3, W.2.8, W.3.3, W.3.8

Common Core State Standards (Writing) that writing activities might also address: W.K.5, W.K.6, W.1.5, W.1.6, W.2.5, W.2.6, W.3.4, W.3.5, W.3.6

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