The Grouchy Ladybug

This week we read The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle. The Grouchy Ladybug argues over aphids for breakfast with a friendly ladybug.  The Grouchy Ladybug wants to fight, but backs down and says he wants to fight somebody bigger.  The animals he encounters get larger and larger, but the Grouchy Ladybug continues looking for an animal to fight.  Eventually he's smacked by a whale's tail and lands right back where he started.  Tired, hungry, and wet, the Grouchy Ladybug learns how nice it can be to share.

We discussed the words grouchy and friendly before we began reading the book. I had both the boys make friendly and grouchy expressions. Then we read the book together. While reading the book JP began to say the repetitive text with me.  After reading I asked the boys these important questions to ask your children while reading:

• What happened in the beginning, middle, and end of the book?
• Who was the main character?
• What was the problem in the story?
• How did the problem get solved (resolution)?
• Where did the story take place? What is the setting?
• What do you think will happen next?
• How do you think this character feels? 
• Does this book remind you of anything in your life?(Text to self connection)
• Does this book remind you of another book? (Text to text connection)

And so many more! Questioning and discussing the text while reading is so important at any age! 

Reading the book in our pjs.

I made animal picture cards in a Microsoft Word document to go along with the book. The boys organized the animal cards by size. Then we put the animal cards in sequencing order according to the order of who the Grouchy Ladybug met. You can download the picture cards for free  here.

We made ladybugs out of red foam, and black construction paper with googly eyes and our black bingo dotter.

We made a "T chart" of grouchy and friendly words and examples from the story. We discussed manners along with it. This idea didn't go over as well as I had hoped, maybe my boys are a little young for "T charts". I facilitated most of the thinking for this activity.But that is ok, I modeled for them the differences in the story of grouchy and friendly.

We also acted out the story recalling the sequence of events and repeating the repetitive text.

Overall we had a great time reading and rereading The Grouchy Ladybug. It is a book our family would recommend!

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