Book A Week
Book-A-Week units were created for parents and teachers who want a simple lesson plan to make the most of adventure story-based learning centered around some of the world's best literature.
The Chapter Book Editions have lesson plans for one week, but the book is intended to be read over a longer period. We recommend reading over the course of a month, and in the last week beginning the Book-A-Week unit.
Peter Reynold’s The Word Collector
Unit Details +
Peter Reynold’s The Word Collector
Children are collectors! They collect rocks, shells, leaves, etc. But Jerome, he collects words. Through Jerome’s love of words, young readers will celebrate the power and magic of language as it helps them think, learn, and wonder. This picture book was a New York Times Bestseller and named an Outstanding Literary Work for Children by the NAACP.
Some of the activities in this unit are word building, sorting and organizing, and writing a kind note.
What’s Inside:
- Book of the Week
- Book Summary
- Story Discussion & Analysis
- Poetry
- Journaling
- STEAM
- Contributor’s Choice
- Materials
- Recommended Products
- Recommended Books
- Other books by the Author
Level:
- First/Second Grade
Length:
- 1 week
Contributor:
- Jennifer Perneel
Materials:
- The Word Collector
- Envelope and stamp
- Hole punch
- Index cards
- Items to sort
- Paper decorating items
- Journal
- Colored pencils
- Zaner Bloser lined paper
- Markers
- Popsicle sticks
- Sharpie
- White paper
- Yarn or ribbon
Barney Saltzberg’s Beautiful Oops!
Unit Details +
Barney Saltzberg’s Beautiful Oops!
Oops! So often that means, “Uh oh!” That is not the case in here—young readers will be thrilled with the creative ways Barney
Saltzberg turns smears, stains, and tears into beautiful pieces of art!
Some of the activities in this unit are a "finish my doodle" art project, blow painting, and folded paper art.
What’s Inside:
- Book of the Week
- Book Summary
- Story Discussion & Analysis
- Poetry
- Journaling
- STEAM
- Contributor’s Choice
- Materials
- Recommended Products
- Recommended Books
- Other books by the Author
Level:
- First/Second Grade
Length:
- 1 week
Contributor:
- Jennifer Perneel
Materials:
- Beautiful Oops!
- Glycerine
- Oil Pastels or Colored Chalk
- Straws
- Dawn dish soap
- Newspaper
- Colored paper scraps
- Water
- Journal
- Cardstock
- Colored pencils
- Construction paper
- Crayons
- Glue stick
- Masking/Painter’s tape
- Tablecloth
- Tempera Paint
- Tray or baking sheet
- Sharpie marker
- School glue
Charlotte’s Web (Chapter Book Edition)
Unit Details +
Charlotte’s Web (Chapter Book Edition)
The Chapter Book Editions have lesson plans for one week, but the book is intended to be read over a longer period.
All Wilbur, a runt pig, wants is friendship and companionship. A young girl, named Fern, saves Wilbur and asks her uncle to raise him on his farm for her. That’s where Charlotte, a barn spider, comes along. A tale of friendship unfolds in this 1953 Newbery Medal award winner.
Some of the activities in this unit are mapping the spider's life cycle, making handprint pigs, and painting watercolor spider webs.
What’s Inside:
- Book of the Week
- Book Summary
- Story Discussion & Analysis
- Poetry
- Journaling
- STEAM
- Contributor’s Choice
- Materials
- Recommended Products
- Recommended Books
- Other books by the Author
Level:
- First/Second Grade
Length:
- 1 week
Contributor:
- Jennifer Perneel
Materials:
- Charlotte’s Web
- Watercolor paper or cardstock
- Pink tempera paint
- Oil pastels or crayons
- Index cards
- Newspaper
- Journal
- Colored pencils
- Construction paper
- Crayons
- Masking/Painters tape
- Markers
- Paintbrush
- Sharpie
- Small jars for watercolors
- Watercolor paints
- White paper
Harry Allard’s Miss Nelson is Missing
Unit Details +
Harry Allard’s Miss Nelson is Missing
Miss Nelson has a class with terrible behavior! They are even rude during storytime! Miss Nelson knows something must be done. That’s when the scary Miss Viola Swamp shows up and quickly whips the class into shape. Will she return? Will Miss Nelson and her class learn each other’s secrets? In 2007, Allard was posthumously awarded the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal for his “substantial and lasting contribution” to children’s literature with this book.
Some of the activities in this unit are making a "missing poster", folding paper airplanes, and making pompom shooters.
What’s Inside:
- Book of the Week
- Book Summary
- Story Discussion & Analysis
- Poetry
- Journaling
- STEAM
- Contributor’s Choice
- Materials
- Recommended Products
- Recommended Books
- Other books by the Author
Level:
- First/Second Grade
Length:
- 1 week
Contributor:
- Jennifer Perneel
Materials:
- Miss Nelson Is Missing!
- Balloons
- Pompoms
- Pool Noodle
- Stamp pads
- Box cutter or knife
- Index cards
- Magnifying glass
- Scratch paper
- Yarn
- Journal
- Colored pencils
- Construction paper
- Crayons
- Markers
- White printer paper
Arlene Mosel's retelling of Tikki Tikki Tembo
Unit Details +
Arlene Mosel's retelling of Tikki Tikki Tembo
Tikki Tikki Tembo is set long ago in China, where firstborn sons were given great, long names. As a sign of respect, those full names were expected to be used anytime when speaking about that person. This causes trouble for Chang whose older brother who has fallen into a well. This retelling of an ancient Chinese folktale is a classic! Tikki Tikki Tembo went on to win several awards (such as the American Library Association Notable Book and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award) and was listed as one of the best 50 children’s books by the New York Times.
Some of the activities in this unit are painting cherry blossom trees, building a dragon, and making Chinese lanterns.
What’s Inside:
- Book of the Week
- Book Summary
- Story Discussion & Analysis
- Poetry
- Journaling
- STEAM
- Contributor’s Choice
- Materials
- Recommended Products
- Recommended Books
- Other books by the Author
Level:
- First/Second Grade
Length:
- 1 week
Contributor:
- Jennifer Perneel
Materials:
- Tikki Tikki Tembo
- Red and orange crepe or tissue paper
- Googly eyes (or white construction paper circles)
- Stamp pads or tempera paint (red, pink, white)
- Brown Paint Chopsticks
- Clear Tape
- Map of China (printable map is provided in unit)
- Small Items for Practicing Chopsticks
- Toilet Paper Tube
- Watercolor Paper or Cardstock
- Journal, optional
- Colored Pencils
- Construction Paper
Paintbrushes - Pencil
- Printer
- Scissors
- Sharpie
- Stapler
- Tempera Paint
- White Paper Plate or Construction Paper
- White Printer Paper
- White School Glue
Eric A. Kimmel's retelling of Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock
Unit Details +
Eric A. Kimmel's retelling of Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock
Anansi stories originated in Ghana, passed on through storytelling. Though early versions depict him in various forms as different animals or even a man, Anansi is best known in contemporary literature as a spider. He is a “trickster,” and Anansi uses his experience with a moss-covered rock to trick many forest animals out of their food supply. But have no fear! Look closely, for as Anansi is tricking animals, Little Bush Deer is watching and plotting to help her friends get their food back.
Some of the activities in this unit are drawing the flag of Ghana, learning about the anatomy of a spider, and making a toy djembe drum.
What’s Inside:
- Book of the Week
- Book Summary
- Story Discussion & Analysis
- Poetry
- Journaling
- STEAM
- Contributor’s Choice
- Materials
- Recommended Products
- Recommended Books
- Other books by the Author
Level:
- First/Second Grade
Length:
- 1 week
Contributor:
- Jennifer Perneel
Materials:
- Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock
- Black tempera paint
- Craft Sticks
- Drawing Implement
- Green Paint, several shades
- Hot Glue Gun or Craft Glue
- Large Rocks or Stones
- Map of Africa
- Moss
- World Map or Globe
- Ghanaian Flag
- Yarn
- Journal, optional
- Colored Pencils
- Construction Paper or Cardstock
- Glue Stick
- Paintbrush
- Printer
- White Printer Paper
Beverly Cleary's Beezus and Ramona (Chapter Book Edition)
Unit Details +
Beverly Cleary's Beezus and Ramona (Chapter Book Edition)
The Chapter Book Editions have lesson plans for one week, but the book is intended to be read over a longer period.
Ramona is impossible! Trouble. Exasperating! At least that is how big sister Beezus feels. This book explores the relationship between these sisters. Beverly Cleary's Ramona books in this series have won a National Book Award in 1981 and Newbery Honor medals in 1978 and 1982.
Some of the activities in this unit are making bunny ears, drawing "Ralph", and making applesauce.
What’s Inside:
- Book of the Week
- Book Summary
- Story Discussion & Analysis
- Poetry
- Journaling
- STEAM
- Contributor’s Choice
- Materials
- Recommended Products
- Recommended Books
- Other books by the Author
Level:
- First/Second Grade
Length:
- 1 week
Contributor:
- Jennifer Perneel
Materials:
- Beezus and Ramona
- Index Cards
- Ingredients and Tools for Applesauce (recipe provided)
- Steam Shovel Image
- Yarn
- Journal, optional
- Colored Pencils
- Construction Paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Stapler
- White Printer Paper
- White School Glue
Oliver Jeffers' Stuck
Unit Details +
Oliver Jeffers' Stuck
When Floyd’s kite got stuck in a tree, he tried to get it out by throwing his favorite shoe, which also got stuck. That is when the trouble really began! The story continues with one thing after another being thrown into the tree, all getting stuck. Then, Floyd finds a saw, but this story doesn’t end the way you think it will.
Some of the activities in this unit are measuring how big a whale is, blow painting, and making a "stained-glass" kite.
What’s Inside:
- Book of the Week
- Book Summary
- Story Discussion & Analysis
- Poetry
- Journaling
- STEAM
- Contributor’s Choice
- Materials
- Recommended Products
- Recommended Books
- Other books by the Author
Level:
- First/Second Grade
Length:
- 1 week
Contributor:
- Jennifer Perneel
Materials:
- Stuck
- Clear Contact Paper
- Tissue Paper
- Watercolor Paper or Cardstock
- Craft or Popsicle Sticks
- Outdoor Space
- Paint Palette or Paper Plate
- Place Markers, like outdoor chalk, colored cloth, or rocks
- Small Items to Stack, like toy cars, pom-poms, marshmallows, or paper clips
- Sponge
- Tape Measure or Yard Stick
- Journal, optional
- Colored Pencils
- Construction Paper
- Glue Stick
- Markers
- Paintbrushes
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Standard Unit Blocks
- Tempera Paint
- Watercolor Paint