Here you’ll find a variety of lesson plans, with one for each age group. Feel free to mix and match the activities that work best for your students.
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Pre-K Lesson Plan (Ages 3-4)
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to identify the main characters in the story.
Students will recognize different types of Halloween costumes.
Students will participate in simple rhyming word activities.
Students will express their preferences for Halloween costumes.
Materials
A BaKon Wrapped Halloween book (or watch the read aloud)
Pictures of various Halloween costumes
Simple dress-up clothes (scarves, hats, animal ears)
Art supplies (paper, crayons, safety scissors, glue)
Procedure
Begin by asking students about their favorite Halloween costumes or what they like about Halloween.
Introduce the book 'A BaKon Wrapped Halloween' and its characters, BaKon and Midnight.
Watch the author's read-aloud video. The read aloud portion is about 4 minutes long.
Discuss the different costumes BaKon tries on in the story. Ask students which one they liked best.
Lead a simple rhyming activity. Say a word (e.g., 'cat') and ask students for words that rhyme (e.g., 'bat', 'hat').
Set up a 'Costume Corner' with simple dress-up clothes and encourage imaginative play, or have students draw their favorite costume.
Gather students to share their drawings or describe the costume they created in the Costume Corner.
Reinforce the idea of choosing a costume that makes them feel happy and unique.
Kindergarten Lesson Plan - Age 5
Learning Objectives
Students will identify rhyming words within the story.
Students will be able to sequence events from the story (BaKon's costume search).
Students will draw and describe a favorite Halloween costume.
Students will understand the book's message about being yourself.
Materials
A BaKon Wrapped Halloween book (or watch the read aloud)
Rhyming word cards (e.g., 'witch'/'stitch', 'bat'/'cat')
Drawing paper
Procedure
Start with a discussion about Halloween and the fun of dressing up. Ask students what kind of costume they would choose.
Introduce 'A BaKon Wrapped Halloween' and the idea of BaKon looking for the perfect costume.
Watch the author's read-aloud video. The read aloud portion is about 4 minutes long (optional - try the author Q&A too!)
After the story, discuss the different costumes BaKon considered. Ask students to recall the order of costumes.
Lead a rhyming word match-up activity using pre-made cards or by calling out words from the story (e.g., 'do'/'clue').
Provide drawing paper and ask students to draw 'My Favorite Halloween Costume'. Encourage them to be creative and think about what makes them unique.
Have students share their drawings and explain their costume choice. Discuss the book's message: 'DREAM BIG, BE KIND, ALWAYS BE YOURSELF' in relation to choosing a costume.
Conclude by reiterating the joy of self-expression and kindness during Halloween.
1st Grade Lesson Plan - Age 6
Learning Objectives
Students will analyze character choices and motivations in the story.
Students will identify the main idea and supporting details of the narrative.
Students will create a descriptive narrative about their own ideal costume.
Students will formulate thoughtful questions for an author about their book.
Materials
A BaKon Wrapped Halloween book (or watch the read aloud)
Venn diagram template (or whiteboard for class diagram)
Writing paper
Procedure
Begin by asking students about the process of making decisions, especially fun ones like choosing a Halloween costume.
Introduce 'A BaKon Wrapped Halloween' and highlight BaKon's quest for the perfect costume.
Watch the author's read-aloud video and author Q&A!
Discuss BaKon's journey and the different costumes he tries. Ask: 'Why did BaKon choose the costume he did in the end?'
Activity: Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast two of BaKon's costume considerations (e.g., the mummy and the witch).
Writing Activity: 'Design Your Own Costume'. Students draw their ideal costume and write 2-3 sentences describing it, explaining why it represents 'them' and why they chose it.
Author Q&A Exploration: Discuss what an author does and how they create stories. Brainstorm questions students what would they like to ask Janine Masi Landreth and Leigh Ann Thompson about 'A BaKon Wrapped Halloween'. Examples: 'What was the hardest part about writing this book?', 'Why did you choose to make it a rhyming book?' Discuss potential answers and the 'behind the book' story. You can also submit them to KidsAskAuthors@yahoo.com, and we will try to get the author to answer them!
Share drawings and some of the questions generated for the authors, emphasizing the value of creative expression and critical thinking.
2nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 7
Learning Objectives
Students will identify and discuss simple rhyming schemes within the text.
Students will analyze the story's central theme of self-acceptance and kindness.
Students will articulate the author's overarching message ('DREAM BIG, BE KIND, ALWAYS BE YOURSELF').
Students will develop critical and insightful questions to ask an author about their work.
Students will connect the story's themes to personal experiences of self-expression.
Materials
A BaKon Wrapped Halloween book (or watch the read aloud)
Worksheets for identifying rhyming words/patterns
Writing journals or paper
Procedure
Begin by discussing the concepts of 'theme' and 'author's message' in stories. Ask students if they can think of books with important messages.
Introduce 'A BaKon Wrapped Halloween' as a story with a fun plot and an important message.
Watch the author's read-aloud video video and author Q&A!
After reading/listening, lead a discussion about the story: What was BaKon's problem? How did he solve it? What did he learn? What is the main message the authors want us to take away?
Rhyming Scheme Detective: Provide excerpts from the book and challenge students to identify rhyming words and discuss simple AABB or ABAB patterns.
Personal Connection: In their journals, students write about a time they chose to 'be themselves' even if it meant being different from others, connecting to the 'ALWAYS BE YOURSELF' message.
Author Q&A Exploration: Discuss the role of an author and illustrator. In small groups or as a class, brainstorm and write down 3-5 thoughtful questions they would ask Janine Masi Landreth and Leigh Ann Thompson. Encourage questions that delve into the authors' inspiration, challenges, creative process, or deeper meaning behind the 'DREAM BIG, BE KIND, ALWAYS BE YOURSELF' message. (e.g., 'What does 'DREAM BIG' mean to you?', 'How did you decide on the ending rhyming message?', 'What message do you hope kids take away most?'). You can also submit them to KidsAskAuthors@yahoo.com, and we will try to get the author to answer them!
Conclude by sharing journal entries and some of the more insightful questions, emphasizing the power of stories and authors to convey important life lessons.