Promote whole classroom participation for read alouds. Link literacy learning to arts appreciation and listening/comprehension activities.
For early math students: Focus on categorizing, numeracy, and math language learning during listening/comprehension activities.
Dive into the musical and artistic elements of Novel Effect soundscapes. Participate in soundscape scavenger hunts and develop an understanding about the intersection of art and literacy.
Explore character motivation and development through audio representations in the story. Build SEL comprehension with discussion prompts and questions.
Use technology to focus on elements of stories where the themes are creation and science learning. Link STEAM elements to literacy learning through the use of tech and classroom read alouds.
Integrate sequencing, cooking, and daily routine activities as an extension to literacy learning. Create a connection to the home and community.
Lesson Plans
China’s Child:
Interactive Maze
Guide Mei Ling, Teddies & Co. through the rooms of the toy factory maze.
A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding: Word Jumble
Decode the words on the prayer flags that highlight instruments you hear while reading the book aloud.
Giraffes Can’t Dance: Music Exploration
Challenge students to recall events in the story and build on their knowledge of musical categories and genres.
Giraffes Can’t Dance: Celebrating Differences
Discuss our differences and celebrate our potential.
The Kissing Hand: Habitat Activity
Explore setting and animal behavior through the use of auditory and visual information.
The Kissing Hand: Personal Connections
Create personal connections to story themes and characters.
The Wonkey Donkey: Sequencing Sounds
Grab your listening ears and join in on our Soundscape Scavenger Hunt to sequence sounds and key events in the story.
Llama Llama Red Pajama: Emotion Exploration
Explore this story through the soundscape and Llama’s big emotions.
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin: Orchestra Exploration
Introduce students to the arts and numeracy in this journey into an orchestra. Hear the music come to life via our instructional soundscape and teach students instrument families and sounds.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: Music Making
Encourage students to use instruments and create their own Novel Effect “soundscape” to this timeless alphabet favorite.
The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story
Students will understand the emotional life of the story’s character.
The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story Scavenger Hunt
Students will attend to the story and listen for specific sounds.
Owl Moon: Imagery and Sounds
Students will explore imagery and sounds in this classic winter favorite.
The Cat in the Hat: Sound and Music Craft
After reading the story, students will write out sound and music vocabulary words to create a Cat in the Hat craft.
Green Eggs and Ham: Discussion
Students will listen for musical and sound elements of the story and discuss character and setting.
How to Catch a Leprechaun Activity
Students will listen for Leprechaun mischief during the story and build a trap to catch him.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Reflect on the life and work of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a pioneer whose work has improved the lives of many in our country.
The Cows Go Moo: Where in the World Are the Cows?
Students will explore the Cows World Tour locations in this activity, a collaboration with the book’s author, Jim Petipas.
The Cows Go Moo: Instrument Exploration
Students will listen for and identify instruments from the soundscape and book in this activity, a collaboration with the book’s author, Jim Petipas.
Food is Love: Story Exploration
Students will reflect on story themes in this colorful scrapbook activity with questions and puzzles.
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny
Students will use sensory concepts to categorize text from the story.
Ghosts in the White House
Incorporate research and context when you learn about the presidents who occupied the spooktacular White House.
Ruby Bridges and the Desegregation of American Schools
Research and reflect on the sights and sounds of the Civil Rights movement while learning about the zeitgeist of this American hero.
Courageous First Ladies Who Changed the World
Perfect for election season, learn about the life and work of the First Ladies who helped shape our nation’s history.
Frog Log (Works with all Read & Rhyme titles)
Use this activity to support your reading practice as you explore rhyming sounds and word families.
Florence and Her Fantastic Family Tree
Reflect on what makes a family tree and even make one of your own when you pair this activity with the read aloud.
My Two Homes
Help children recognize and appreciate different family structures and navigate family conflict with this activity.
Love, Hugs, and Hope: When Scary Things Happen
Help children identify feelings and practice coping mechanisms for dealing with difficult times.
Santa.com
Reflect on giving with love when you make gifts and write letters with this activity.
Why Evergreens Keep Their Leaves
Use this folktale to inspire exploration around your neighborhood and an artistic craft you can do together.
Countdown to the New Year!
Get ready for the ball drop when you practice counting and take a moment to reflect on the year 2020.
Martin’s Big Words
Listen, engage, and inspire when you reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s timeless wisdom.
President Joe Biden
Learn all about the life of the 46th President of the United States with this fact-finding activity!
Spotlight on Black History
Learn and reflect with this activity set for 10+ Black History-focused titles, curated by our Novel Effect librarian.
The Dot Gallery Wall
Use the art show picture frames in this printable set to create a gallery wall of all The Dot inspired dots.
