Using "The Important Book" for Early Literacy Activities

I have always loved Margaret Wise Brown's book, The Important Book . The book was written in 1949, but, still holds true to reading aloud and using for additional literacy activities today.


The book is written about different topics: a cricket, the rain, a daisy, a spoon, etc. The topic is summarized through descriptive sentences. The beginning and ending sentences are the same. Children learn the pattern of the text after several read alouds and discussions about the different topics.This format reminds me of the circle story.


This is an excerpt from the book about a spoon:

The important thing about a spoon is that you eat with it.

It is like a little shovel

You hold it in your hand.

You can put it in your mouth.

It isn't flat, It's hollow

And it spoons things up.

But the important thing about a spoon is that you eat with it.

It's hard not to start thinking about all the ways to use this format with your children and/or students. You can do this with just about any topic. There is no one correct most important thing about an object/topic. It is what is important to the person or what a group decides. It may lead to some interesting discussions and an opportunity to explore new ideas and vocabulary.  I am all for that - get the children thinking and learning and using new vocabulary!

Here is a suggested way to present this pattern format

•  Sit in a circle, place the topic object in the middle of the group.
• Ask them to describe and provide attributes about the item 
• Write down their responses on index cards, include a drawing if applicable to assist in identifying the word on the card 
• Lay the cards next to and around the object
• Then discuss what you have written and together decide on "The Important Thing About A  __________  is ____________"  beginning/ending sentence
• Pick up the attributes cards and place them into a pocket chart in list format or on the blackboard using magnets or sticky tape to keep them up (ask the children to choose a card and place it in the pocket chart and read off the attribute)
• Put your story together - write out the beginning and ending sentences and place onto the pocket chart or blackboard/wipe off board
• Read the beginning sentence, attributes and the last sentence together

This can also be done individually and put into a class big book to share at reading time. A child can choose a topic, like a pet dog. The child can draw the dog and together you can write the story as you share ideas: choose the beginning and ending sentence and add in the attributes.

I love my dog because he loves me

My dog is furry and soft

My dog has a long tail that wags

His name is Ruff

I love my dog and he loves me.

This is an opportunity for children to use adjectives that they might not use in everyday conversation. It also allows children to think in depth about an item - what it looks like, its use, what it is made of, how it moves, who uses it and more!

The ideas are endless - this is a busy time to start, but the topics are plentiful with the holidays coming and the seasonal changes.

Snow

Snowflakes

Hot Cocoa 

Boots

Mittens

Cookies

Books

Christmas trees

Bells

My Family

Susan