Cosmo Zooms by Arthur Howard - Teaching Ideas

Every dog on Pumpkin Lane was good at something, except poor Cosmo. He thought about climbing a tree, and then he thought about catching a mouse, but neither of those things Cosmo could do. Cosmo got tired trying to think of something he could be good at, so he decided to lay down and take a nap, but instead of laying on the grass he landed on a skateboard. The skateboard took off and so did Cosmo. Cosmo zoomed down a hill and crashed into a bush. When Cosmo crawled out of the bush the other dogs on Pumpkin Lane were amazed at how well Cosmo handled the skateboard. Cosmo was now good at something!

This book is so cute and has a great lesson. If it is in your library pull it out and use one of the skills or strategies below to help you create a meaningful lesson.

I thought this book was perfect for summarizing so I created a freebie to go with it.

Reading level: 2.4

Theme/subject: animals, individuality

Genre: humorous fiction

Suggested Vocabulary/phrases: howler, herder, round it up, zipped by, underfoot, yelped, hydrangeas, near misses, swoops, swerves

Reading skills and strategies:

• Asking questions - {possible questions before} I wonder what the story is going to be about. I wonder if the dog’s name is Cosmo. I wonder how he got onto a skateboard.  {possible questions during} I wonder what Cosmo could be good at. I wonder how Cosmo got on that skateboard.  {possible questions after} I wonder if Cosmo will get hurt riding the skateboard.  **Remember to have your students answer/reflect their questions.
• Author's point of view – Third person. Be sure to find 3 pieces of evidence to support this (Cosmo, his, she, him).
• Author's purpose – entertain {evidence} The illustrations are very cute. Dogs don’t ride skateboards. Cosmo didn’t get hurt when he crashed into the hydrangea bush. All these things made a very entertaining story.
• Beginning, middle, end - {most important event from beginning}Cosmo was not good at anything.  {most important event from middle} Cosmo fell asleep on a skateboard and zoomed away. {most important event from end} All the other dogs thought Cosmo was good at riding the skateboard.
• Cause and effect – Why was Flip named Flip? Because he could catch any Frisbee ever thrown. Why was Puddles named Puddles? Because he could drool for eleven hours in a row. Why did Cosmo get sleepy? Because he was trying to think of something he could be good at. Why did the mailboxes zip by? Because he was on a skateboard. Why did Cosmo plow into the hydrangea bush? Because he didn’t know how to stop the skateboard. Why were the other dogs excited an impressed? Because Cosmo was finally good at something. Why did Cosmo keep riding the skateboard? Because he was good at it and it made him feel good.
• Character analysis - describe Cosmo {looks like, feelings, thoughts, character}
• Character changes – in the beginning Cosmo was a bit sad because he couldn’t do anything. At the end Cosmo was happy because he was good at skateboarding and it felt good.
• Classify & categorize – Classify dog tricks. Categorize tricks that most dogs could do and tricks that some dogs could do. For example: sit, stay, roll over, catch Frisbees, ride surfboards, ride on motorcycles, etc.
• Compare & contrast – Compare and contrast your dog to Cosmo.
• Connections - {possible text-to-self connections} having a dog. Tricks your dog can do. You not being able to do things like your friends. Feeling sad that you can’t do things your friends can do. Feeling good when you do something your good at.
• Drawing conclusions & inferencing -  How do you think Cosmo got onto the skateboard? {text clues} Cosmo got sleepy and lay down on the grass.  {What I know} there must have been a skateboard in the tall grass that Cosmo laid down in.  {my conclusion}I think Cosmo was so tired he just lay down on the skateboard without realizing it.
• Main idea & details - {main idea} The story is mostly about Cosmo discovering that he was good at skateboarding. {details} Cosmo was sad that he wasn’t good at anything. Cosmo took off on a skateboard and stayed on. Cosmo went faster and faster.
• Plot - the turning point or climax in the story was when Cosmo took off on a skateboard.
• Predict – What do you think the story will be about? What do you think Cosmo is good at? Why do you think there is nobody riding the bicycle? What do you think will happen to Cosmo on the skateboard? How do you think Cosmo feels about finding something he is good at? Do you think Cosmo will keep riding the skateboard?
• Problem & solution - {problem} Cosmo’s problem is that he is not good at anything. {solution} He accidentally lies down on a skateboard and takes off.
• Sequencing – Every dog on Pumpkin Lane is good at something. Lance can run fast. Elvis can howl loud. Flip can catch Frisbee’s. Puddles drools a lot. Gracie is good at herding. Cosmo was not good at anything. Pearl tried to help Cosmo figure out what he was good at. Cosmo was sleepy so he went to lay down. Cosmo passed a bike. Cosmo passed a mailbox. Cosmo zoomed down Pumpkin Lane. Cosmo crashed into a bush. All the dogs thought Cosmo was great on the skateboard. Cosmo felt great. Cosmo kept riding the skateboard.
• Story elements - list title, author, characters, setting, beginning, middle, end, or problem & solution.
• Strong thought – Cosmo felt bad because he thought he was not good at anything. What could you tell Cosmo to make him feel better?
• Summarize - {someone} Cosmo {wanted} wanted to be good at something {but} but he wasn’t {so} so he went to take a nap {then} then he laid down on a skateboard and took off. Cosmos was {finally} finally good at something, skateboarding.
• Theme – Everyone is good at something different. Everyone is unique in what they can do. You will find something that you are good at.
• Visualize – Visualize what you think you are good at doing. Draw a picture of it and then write about it.

IT'S FREE!!

Happy Planning!

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Can't You Sleep Little Bear? by Martin Waddell - Teaching Ideas

There is just something so sweet about a story with bears, especially little bears, and this book is no exception. In this story Little Bear cannot sleep because it is too dark. Big Bear gets Little Bear a tiny lantern, then a bigger lantern and then the biggest lantern of all. But unfortunately for Little Bear none of these lanterns are lighting up the cave enough for him to fall asleep. It is the big dark outside that is really scaring him, so, Big Bear takes Little Bear in his arms and takes him to the dark outside. Little Bear is really scared until they are greeted by the big, bright, yellow moon. As they look at how the moon lights everything up, Little Bear falls fast asleep, right in Big Bears arms. When Big Bear gets back to the cave, he doesn't put Little Bear to bed, he holds him close while he finishes his book. Both Big Bear and Little Bear sleep safely together all night long!
Awe, so sweet!
Here is a list of reading skills, strategies and ideas you can use to create a wonderful lesson using this book.
At the bottom you will find a summarizing freebie I created to go with the book.

Reading level: 3.5

Theme/subject: confronting fears, family

Genre: fiction

Suggested Vocabulary/phrases: lantern, settled in, padding over, grunted, puzzled

Reading skills and strategies:

• Asking questions - {possible questions before} I wonder what the story is going to be about. I wonder why the little bear cannot sleep. {possible questions during} I wonder why Little Bear is so afraid of the dark. I wonder when there will be enough light for him to fall asleep. {possible questions after} I wonder if he will need all the lanterns every night. **Remember to have your students answer/reflect their questions.
• Author's point of view – Third person. Be sure to find 3 pieces of evidence to support this.
• Author's purpose – entertain {evidence} Bears shouldn’t be afraid of the dark. Bears don’t read books or sleep in beds. All these things made a fun entertaining book.
• Beginning, middle, end - {most important event from beginning} Little bear was afraid of the dark. {most important event from middle} Big Bear got lanterns out so Little Bear wouldn’t be in the dark. {most important event from end} Little Bear fell asleep in Big Bear’s arms.
• Cause and effect – Why did Big Bear have to go get lanterns? Because Little Bear was afraid of the dark. Why couldn’t Little Bear fall asleep? Because he was surrounded by darkness. Why did Big Bear take Little Bear outside the cave? Because he wanted to show Little Bear the great big moon.
• Character analysis - describe Big Bear. Describe Little Bear {looks like, feelings, thoughts, character}
• Compare & contrast – Big Bear and Little Bear.
• Connections - {possible text-to-self connections} Being afraid of the dark. Needing a little light on when you try to go to sleep. Falling asleep in somebodies arms.
• Main idea & details - {main idea} Little Bear cannot sleep because he is afraid of the dark. {details} Big Bear takes out a a small lantern for Little Bear. Big Bear takes out a large lantern and hangs it over Little Bear’s bed so he can sleep. Big Bear takes Little Bear out to see the moon.
• Plot - the turning point or climax in the story is when Little Bear falls asleep in Big Bears arms while they are looking at the big bright moon.
• Predict – What do you think the story will be about. Why do you think Little Bear cannot sleep? Do you think Little Bear will fall asleep? Do you think the little lantern will be enough light to help Little Bear fall asleep? Do you think the bigger lantern will be enough light for Little Bear to fall asleep? Do you think the biggest lantern will be enough light for Little Bear to fall asleep? What do you think Big Bear will show Little Bear out in the dark outside?
• Problem & solution - {problem} Little Bear couldn’t sleep because he was afraid of the dark. {solution} Big Bear brought Little Bear to the dark outside to show him how the big, yellow moon lights things up. This helped Little Bear fall asleep.
• Sequencing – Big Bear and Little Bear played out in the bright sunlight. At night Big Bear put Little Bear to bed. Little Bear couldn’t sleep because it was too dark. Big Bear took out the tiniest lantern for Little Bear. Little Bear still couldn’t sleep so Big Bear pulled out a bigger lantern. It was still too dark for Little Bear so Big Bear brought out the biggest lantern. Little Bear was still afraid of the dark outside. Big Bear took Little Bear to the dark outside. They looked at the bright yellow moon. Little Bear fell asleep in Big Bear’s arms. Big Bear finished his book with Little Bear in his arms.
• Story elements - list title, author, characters, setting, beginning, middle, end, or problem & solution.
• Strong thought – There was never enough light for Little Bear to fall asleep. What would you tell Little Bear to make him not be so afraid of the dark? 
• Summarize - {someone} Big Bear {wanted} wanted Little Bear to go to sleep {but} but Little Bear was afraid of the dark {so} so Big Bear got out lanterns to make the cave lighter. Little Bear {finally} finally fell asleep.

IT'S FREE!!

Happy Reading!

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The Very Busy Day by Diana Hendry - Teaching Ideas

This book is not only wonderfully written but the illustration {done by Jane Chapman} are so bright and creatively detailed. Your students will have fun looking at all of the human objects that Big Mouse and Little Mouse have used to make their special home. My favorite is the drain stop used as a tree swing...sooo cute!

Big Mouse has a lot of work to do and really wants some help. Unfortunately, Little Mouse is too busy thinking about his dream to help. As the day wears on Big Mouse is growing more frustrated with Little Mouse as he makes daisy chains, collects clovers, and lays around thinking about his dream. Finally, at the end of the day with Big Mouse tired and grumpy, Little Mouse comes running out of the kitchen with a surprise for Big Mouse. While Big Mouse was working and thinking that Little Mouse was doing nothing, he was really making Big Mouse a sun hat! Big Mouse was so surprised the he was no longer in a bad mood. He realized that Little Mouse really was doing something, making him a special sun hat.

Here is some more information that you might find useful.
 
Reading level: 2.5

Theme: behavior, social skills

Genre: animal stories

Suggested Vocabulary: grumbled, wheelbarrow, mopped his brow, indignantly, muttering angrily, annoyed

Reading skills and strategies:

• asking questions - {before} - What is going to keep the characters busy? Why do they have a wheelbarrow made out of clothespins? {during} - What was Big Mouse planting in the garden? Why wouldn't Little Mouse help Big Mouse? What is Little Mouse dreaming up? Why did Big Mouse dump Little Mouse out of the wheelbarrow? Where did Big Mouse and Little Mouse get all the stuff they have? Why is Little Mouse collecting bird feathers? {after} Why was Big Mouse not mad at Little Mouse any more? Why did Little Mouse make a sun hat for Big Mouse?
• author's point of view - 3rd person point of view
• author's purpose - entertain
• beginning, middle, end - {beg.} Big Mouse was working in the garden and wanted Little Mouse's help. {mid} - Little Mouse would not help Big Mouse because he was busy doing something else. {end} Little Mouse gave Big Mouse the sun hat that he was making all day and Big Mouse was happy. They were so tired from all their work that they took a nap.
• cause and effect - Why was Big Mouse upset with Little Mouse? because Little Mouse would not help Big Mouse in the garden. Why did Big Mouse dump Little Mouse out of the wheelbarrow? because he didn't want to push the weeds AND Little Mouse. Why did Big Mouse and Little Mouse take a nap? because they were both tired from all the work they did.
• characterization - describe Big Mouse, describe Little Mouse
• compare & contrast - compare Big Mouse to Little Mouse
• connections - text-to-self - having to do all the work while a brother or sister does nothing. Working in the garden. Being tired after a long day of work. Text-to-text - connect this book to The Little Red Hen. They both ask others for help and don't get it.
• drawing conclusions & inferencing - What feelings does Big Mouse have toward Little Mouse during the story? {clues from text} Big Mouse keeps asking Little Mouse to help and he wont. {what I know} I know that when I ask for help and no one helps me I get angry or frustrated. {conclusion} Big Mouse is angry and frustrated with Little Mouse during the story. How does Big Mouse feel about Little Muse at the end of the story? {clues from text} Little Mouse gives Big Mouse a new sun hat. {what I know} I know that when someone gives me a gift I get happy. {conclusion} I think Big Mouse is not angry at Little Mouse anymore because even though he didn't help him he was doing something, he made him a sun hat.
• predict - What do you think Little Mouse was dreaming about? What do you think Little Mouse is doing?
• problem & solution - {problem} Big Mouse wants some help in the garden and Little Mouse won't help him because he is busy doing something else. {solution} At the end of the story Little Mouse gives Big Mouse a sun hat that he had been working on all day. Big Mouse realized that Little Mouse was actually doing something.
• sequencing - Big Mouse asked for help in the garden. Little Mouse said he was too busy to help. Big Mouse asked Little Mouse to plant some seeds. Little Mouse said that he was thinking about his dream. Big Mouse needed the wheelbarrow so he dumped Little Mouse out of it. Little Mouse made a daisy chain while Big Mouse picked up all the weeds. Little Mouse picked clover as Big Mouse dumped the weeds. Big Mouse wanted Little Mouse to help rake but Little Mouse was busy collecting feathers. Big Mouse wanted Little Mouse to help carry strawberries but Little Mouse ran into the kitchen to get something and didn't help. Little Mouse rushed out of the kitchen with a gift for Big Mouse, it was a sun hat he made for him. Big Mouse and Little Mouse were so tired from their busy day they both lay down to take a nap.
• story elements - list title, author, theme, genre, characters, setting, BME.
• summarize - {somebody} Big Mouse {wanted} wanted Little Mouse to help him in the garden {but} but Little Mouse was busy with something else {so} so Big Mouse was getting frustrated with Little Mouse. {then} Then Little Mouse came out of the kitchen with a surprise, a sun hat that he had made for Big Mouse during the day. {at the end} At the end of the day Big Mouse realized that Little Mouse was really busy all day so he was no longer mad at him. They were both so tired they took a nap.

I have created a few activities to go with this book...I hope it is something you will be able to use!

Happy teaching!

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