I've included vocabulary words that you can discuss before reading the story to front load your students' understanding. I've made them on big cards that you could put in a pocket chart.
There are graphic organizers to complete after reading the story. You could even have students working on them while you read, you could stop at various places and complete them together. Or you could enlarge them and do one big one as an anchor chart!
I have included five literacy centers to go along with the skills that I found in the story. These could be used for independent workstations or in a small reading group. If you really wanted to, you could print an activity for each kid and use it more like seat work. It's up to you! I even think this would be great to leave for emergency sub plans...it'd keep your kids busy for your entire reading block for sure! All of the literacy centers have accountability/recording sheets included with them. I love having these so that the kids aren't just playing around, but they are actually held accountable with something to turn in as proof! {Sounds like I've had a lot of off task kids...right?!}
I've also included some writing activities that I would use in centers/workstations in my room. One of them includes response to literature questions, which students will respond to questions regarding the story, but also use details from the story to support their answer. Another writing activity is to write a letter to Lilly about what she should have done in the story. Last, there is a writing activity that refers to a simile found in the story.
Click on the picture to see it in my store.
Other Literature Companion Units in my store:
