Tough Cookie by Edward Hemingway is about a cookie that finds out he doesn’t taste good after all.
WHY BOOK COMPANIONS?
Book companions are a fun and engaging way to get students interacting with a read aloud picture book! When I was teaching I had a lot of difficulty finding leveled book companions that would meet the needs of students in my self-contained classroom, so I made my own.
Here’s a look inside the Tough Cookie Book Companion
((This blog post contains affiliate links for your convenience. You don’t pay any more by clicking my link (and I actually find the best prices for you!) but I make a small commission off of sales. This helps me to test out more materials and bring you more quality content. Thanks for supporting my little blog!))
STORYMAP
The Story map is used to find key elements of the story. I love doing this in the whole group setting on the board as a group. The visuals make this a differentiated activity!
After completing the story map as a whole group, you can break off into small groups.
SEQUENCING
Sequencing is also a great activity to do whole group and then split off to complete individually for review and to check for understanding.
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary is easy to review after the first time reading through the story. After the vocabulary review read through the story again bringing attention to the recently learned vocabulary words.
The vocabulary matching activity is also differentiated with an identical picture match.
COMPREHENSION
To review the story at the end of the week we use comprehension worksheets that are leveled to meet your students needs.
VISUAL CRAFT
Finally, complete a visual craft with your students.
READY TO USE THE BOOK COMPANION?
Grab the Book Companion in the shop here.
Grab the Book Companion on TPT here.
You can find the book here. (affiliate link)
Want more holiday book ideas? Click here.
Learn about the How to Catch an Elf Book Companion here.
Annie says
ALYSSA! I can’t believe I’m only just discovering you and your website! This Companion Guide for Tough Cookie is amazing. Broken down into manageable parts. Great suggestions. Only a teacher could have organized all these activities so beautifully. It has been a while since I’ve had a new Yoda. You Alyssa are my newest Yoda. Your work and your website look amazing. I would love to see some songs included that match the theme of the book. Of course, that suggestion is coming from a children’s educational songwriter. Take care and I will try to find you on Facebook although I am not really on there much. Happy holidays and keep up the great work. Musically yours. Annie Lynn