The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin (Making Connections): Home

K, 1, 2

MASL School Library Instructional Standards: K-2 Reading Engagement: Build connections through reading. Share a connection between myself and what I’m reading.

1 class period (30-45 minutes)

This lesson was created by Marlana Howerton from Ezard Elementary School. 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

This lesson is designed to encourage a sense of connection and belonging among students and their classmates. Students will be able to express how they share similar feelings or experiences with the main character in the story Spookley and the Square Pumpkin. 

• The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano
• YouTube video of The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin
• Drawing materials (crayons, colored pencils, markers)
• White paper

Objective:

Students will identify and express connections between themselves and the main character, Spookley the Square Pumpkin, while watching the video or reading the book The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano.

I Can Statements:

1. I can listen to the story The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin and think about how Spookley and I are similar.
2. I can draw a picture that shows how I am like Spookley or how we share similar feelings or experiences.

Introduction 

1. Begin by discussing the concept of making connections with a book. Explain that when we read a story, we can sometimes find similarities between ourselves and the characters, the setting, or the events in the book.
2. Introduce the book/video The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin and briefly describe the main character, Spookley, who is a square-shaped pumpkin.
3. Tell the students that they will be watching a video about the book The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin. 

During Reading/Watching:

1. Encourage students to listen for ways they can connect with Spookley's feelings or experiences.
2. Show the YouTube video of Spookley the Square Pumpkin to the class or read the book aloud. 

Discussion: 

1. After watching the video or reading the book, ask the students to share their thoughts and feelings about Spookley and the story.
2. Discuss how they can relate to Spookley's experiences, feelings of being different, and the importance of friendship and acceptance.

Activity: 

1. Hand out paper, crayons and pencils to students. 
2. Ask them to draw a picture of themselves and Spookley, side by side.
3. Encourage students to illustrate a situation or feeling that they share with Spookley. For example, they can draw a time when they felt different or a time when they made a new friend.
4. Allow students to share their drawings with the class and explain the connection they made between themselves and Spookley.

Conclusion: 

1. Summarize the lesson by highlighting the importance of finding connections in books and understanding that we can relate to characters and their experiences.
2. Emphasize the lesson's key message about acceptance and the value of being unique, just like Spookley.

Informally assess students' participation in the discussion and their ability to express connections with Spookley through their drawings.