Beatrice Doesn't Want To by Laura Numeroff - Teaching Ideas




One of my great blog followers took advantage of my "Book Suggestion" page and suggested this great little book. I did not have the book, so off to my local library I went. I am so glad Beth recommended this book, it is GREAT! It is about little Beatrice and her complete hatred of books, that is, until the end of the story when she has a special connection with a book that the librarian is reading. Beth (my lovely follower) uses this book as a lead into how important it is to choose "that just right book" one that you can connect with - it's that connection that creates the love of reading! If you don't have this book you really should find it, you and your students will LOVE it...thanks Beth for this great suggestion!

To go along with this book I have created a packet filled with different reading skills and strategy worksheets that would be great for introducing that specific skill or strategy or simply giving your students a fun book to practice those skills. For those of you that just need the info to create your own awesome lessons, here it is.

I have a special offer for this packet...you must get to the bottom of this post to take advantage of it.


Reading level: 1.2                 
Theme: Reading, siblings
Genre: Animal Stories

Reading skills and strategies:
  • asking questions - {possible questions before} Beatrice doesn't want to do what? {possible questions during} Why does Beatrice not like books?  Why does Beatrice have to go with Henry? Why does Beatrice hate the library? Why won't Beatrice even look at a book in the library?  {possible questions after} Does Beatrice like books now?
  • author's point of view - 3rd person
  • author's purpose - entertain {evidence} Animals are talking and reading. The pictures show Beatrice following Henry, pulling his tail and leaning on him. Henry looks very annoyed. All the animals are laughing at the story being read to them. All these things are silly which make the book entertaining.
  • beginning, middle, end - {most important event from beginning} Henry had to take Beatrice to the library and Beatrice didn't want to go. {most important event from middle} Beatrice was bored and bothering Henry in the library. {most important event from end} Henry made Beatrice go to story time where she heard a book that she loved and wanted to stay at the library to look at that book.
  • cause and effect - Why did Beatrice hate going to the library? because she didn't like books. Why did Henry have to go to the library? because he needed to do a report on dinosaurs. Why did Beatrice watch Henry at the library? because she wouldn't look at the books. Why did Beatrice get out of the big comfy chair? because she got bored. Why did Henry take Beatrice to the children's section of the library? because it was going to be story time. Why did Beatrice turn to look at the book? because the librarian read in the book how Albert Mouse roller skated through his house and it reminder her of when she did that. Why did Beatrice start laughing? because she was thinking of the time when she roller skated through her house. Why did Beatrice not want to leave the library? because she found a book that she connected with.
  • characterization - describe Beatrice, describe Henry {looks like, feelings, thoughts, character}
  • classify & categorize - kinds of books you like and kinds of books you don't like
  • compare & contrast - Beatrice and Henry. You and Beatrice or Henry.
  • connections - {possible text-to-self connections} Having a little brother or sister that drives you crazy. Going to the library. Finding a book that you love. Going to a story time. Having to do a report.
  • drawing conclusions & inferencing - Why do you think Beatrice doesn't like books? {what I know} Books that I don't like are ones that don't interest me. {my conclusion} I think Beatrice doesn't like books because she has never found a book that she connected with or interested her.
  • main idea & details - {main idea} Beatrice doesn't like books. {details} She doesn't want to go to the library. She won't look at any books in the library. She won't even turn to listen to the story the librarian is reading.
  • plot - the turning point in the story is when Beatrice hears a part of the story that she connects with.
  • predict - Do you think Beatrice will look at books in the library? Do you think Beatrice is going to bother her brother at the library? Do you think Henry will get his report done? Do you think Beatrice will stay in the big comfy chair? Do you think Beatrice will stay in the room with the children? Do you think Beatrice will like the story the librarian reads? Do you think Beatrice likes books now?
  • problem & solution - {problem} Beatrice does not like books. {solution} Beatrice finally hears a story that she can connect to.
  • sequencing - Beatrice and Henry have to go to the library. Beatrice watches Henry. Henry tells Beatrice to stay in the big comfy chair. Beatrice tells Henry she is bored. Beatrice follows Henry all around the library helping to hold his books. Henry says, "You're driving me crazy". Beatrice drinks some water. Henry takes her to the children's room. The librarian starts to read about Albert Mouse. Beatrice turns to look at the story. Beatrice remembers when she roller skated through her house. Beatrice starts to laugh. Beatrice listens to the whole story. Beatrice asks the librarian to look at the book. Beatrice does not want to leave the library.
  • story elements - list title, author, character's, setting, beginning, middle, end, or problem & solution.
  • summarize - {someone} Henry {wanted} needed to get a book report done {but} but Beatrice kept bothering him {so} so he took her to the children's room  {then} where the librarian read a story and {finally} finally Beatrice liked a book. 


 Preview of what is included in the packet.


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skills-Strategy-Pack-inspired-by-Beatrice-Doesnt-Want-To-by-Laura-Numeroff


Happy reading!

13 comments

  1. I already follow your great blog! I love this book. It is a a sweet one! lv2813@aol.com
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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  2. I follow your blog already. I love this book so so much! I use it for summarizing and character development. Jknapp6@gmail.com

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  3. Yay! I am soooo glad you like the book! As you know I already follow your blog :) bcartlidge@bellsouth.net

    Beth

    PS...I have some more books that I can suggest!

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  4. I'm your newest follower!
    Stephanie
    sgies328@gmail.com
    MaMa Goose’s Kindergarten

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have discovered so many great books by following your blog!
    tplanck@me.com

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  6. I LOVE LOVE LOVE all of the information you give with each book. It helps so much when planning for a specific skill/strategy. Thank you!
    wisor9929@roadrunner.com

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  7. I love your blog and am your newest follower! Your reviews help so much when choosing books to teach specific themes, skills, and strategies. And I love your searchable database of book reviews. Thank you so much for all you do!
    jpishii@aol.com

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  8. I have never heard of Beatrice Doesn't Want To but it seems like a book I would enjoy reading to my class. I am glad that I found your blog. It is hard to find blogs that are about children's books. Thanks for sharing :)

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  9. Hi!

    Just wondering when I will receive your packet...I am holding off using the book until I get it but I am really want to use it soon :)

    Thanks,

    Beth

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  10. Shawna -

    I am a new follower and am delighted to discover your blog. I am a PS-12 international school librarian & I love this book. It is a perfect introduction for my younger kids, especially reluctant readers. I look forward to exploring your site & reading more blog posts. Keep on reading!

    Susan B (bontlys@mef.k12.tr or school_librarian@bluebottle.com)

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  11. I am a new follower! Keeping my fingers crossed that I am one of the lucky 7. I absolutely love Laura Numeroff & I am most certainly going to get this book.

    Alicia

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    Replies
    1. Alicia send me your email so I can send you the packet :)
      Shawna

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  12. I am a new follower. I am hoping I am one of the 7 new followers. I have this book sitting on my bookshelf.
    Amy
    lilybeans@comcasat.net

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Thoughts and comments are always welcome!