Introduced the topic best friends to the students and we brainstormed on who can be a best friend and what makes a best friend. Before class I had rearranged the classroom so all the desks were in a horseshoe. When I read the book out to the students I had them all sit on the floor. The students really enjoyed this story and they engaged really well. I decided to read the story myself instead of using the CD ROM. After I read the book we discussed what had happened. I then asked the students to fill in a leaf template which I had previously made and they addressed it to someone who gives to them. They then wrote down what they would like to give back to that person. The students really enjoyed cutting out the leaves and sticking them in their books.
Throughout the story telling time I have never seen students engage so well. Not one student got distracted and there was complete silence from them. This book is great to read out and explain what is happening by using the pictures.
Hardly any prep is involved in this lesson but thought I would share the idea. :)
Attached is the leaf template.
