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. There’s also an alternative lesson plan at the end for even more flexibility.
Note the Optional Q&A won't be available until after the live interview with the author.
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Pre-K Lesson Plan (Ages 3-4)
Learning Objectives
Identify basic emotions like sadness, fear, and happiness in others.
Understand the concept of a forever home as a safe and loving place.
Practice empathy by thinking of ways to comfort a lonely friend.
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Procedure (35 minutes)
(10 mins) Theme Introduction and Discussion: Begin by asking the children about their pets or animals they have seen. Lead a discussion about how animals might feel when they are in a new place. Ask: How do you feel when you go somewhere new for the first time? What makes you feel safe when you are scared? How can we tell if a dog is happy or sad? What does it mean to be a good friend to an animal?
(15 mins) Read Along Experience: Watch the Pennygirl read along video together. Pause the video when Pennygirl is at the shelter to look at her expression. Encourage the children to make 'sad' or 'scared' faces along with her, then 'happy' faces when she finds her home.
(10 mins) Creative Expression: Have the students draw a picture of a 'Safe Space' or a cozy bed for Pennygirl. While they draw, ask them what items they would give Pennygirl to make her feel less lonely.
Discussion & Extension Questions
How did Pennygirl feel when she left the farm?
Why was Pennygirl sad at the dog shelter?
What are some things that made Pennygirl feel happy again?
What can we do to help a friend who is feeling lonely?
If you were a rescue dog, what would you want in your forever home?
Kindergarten Lesson Plan - Age 5
Learning Objectives
Define the roles of community helpers like animal shelter workers.
Sequence the main events of Pennygirls journey from farm to home.
Recognize the importance of kindness and animal advocacy.
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Procedure (45 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Introductory Discussion: Talk about the concept of 'Rescue'. Ask the students: What do you think a rescue dog is? Have you ever helped someone who was lost or needed a friend? Who are some people in our town that help animals stay healthy and safe? What does it mean to give someone a second chance?
(15 mins) Story Time: Watch the read along video of Pennygirl's Rescue. Instruct students to listen for the different places Pennygirl lives throughout the story.
(20 mins) Heart Mapping Activity: Give each student a piece of paper and have them draw a large heart. Inside the heart, they should draw or write one thing Pennygirl needed to feel loved (e.g., food, a bed, a family, kindness). Discuss as a group how the Niagara Dog Rescue helped fill Pennygirl's heart.
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
Discussion & Extension Questions
Why did Pennygirl have to leave the farm in Texas?
What is an animal shelter and what do the workers do there?
How did the Niagara Dog Rescue help Pennygirl find a family?
How did Pennygirls feelings change from the beginning of the book to the end?
What are some ways we can be kind to animals in our own neighborhood?
1st Grade Lesson Plan - Age 6
Learning Objectives
Compare and contrast Pennygirls life on the farm versus the shelter.
Demonstrate empathy by writing a message of encouragement.
Identify the role of foster families in animal rescue.
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Procedure (45 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Opening Discussion: Focus on the theme of change and uncertainty. Ask: Have you ever moved to a new house or a new school? How did that feel? What helps you feel better when you are worried about a big change? Why is it important to have friends when you are in a strange place?
(15 mins) Deep Dive Reading: Watch the read along video. Pause to discuss the transition from the farm to the city. Discuss the word 'uncertainty' and how it applies to Pennygirl's time at the shelter.
(20 mins) Letters of Kindness: Students will write a 'Welcome Home' letter or card to a rescue dog like Pennygirl. They should include words of encouragement and a description of what a happy home looks like. Ask: What would you say to Pennygirl to make her feel brave? What kind of games would you play with her?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
Discussion & Extension Questions
What were some of the specific things Pennygirl missed about the farm?
How does a foster family help a dog before they find a forever home?
In what ways did kindness change Pennygirls world?
What emotions did Pennygirl have to manage while she was waiting at the shelter?
How can we help people or animals who feel left out?
2nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 7
Learning Objectives
Analyze the impact of community helpers like veterinarians and rescuers.
Evaluate the theme of 'second chances' within the narrative.
Develop social-emotional awareness regarding pet adoption responsibilities.
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Procedure (50 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Thematic Discussion: Introduce the concepts of advocacy and community. Ask: What does it mean to be an advocate for someone who cannot speak for themselves? Why do some animals need to be rescued? What makes a community a supportive place for everyone, including pets? What does the phrase 'second chance' mean to you?
(15 mins) Analysis through Reading: Watch the Pennygirl read along video. Ask students to take notes on the different 'helpers' Pennygirl meets (the rescuers, the shelter workers, her new family).
(25 mins) Creative Writing - The Shelters Perspective: Have students write a short paragraph from the perspective of a shelter worker or a foster parent. They should describe the joy of seeing a dog like Pennygirl find her forever home. Prompting questions: What are the responsibilities of taking care of a rescue dog? How does it feel to say goodbye when they find a home?
(20 mins) Watch the author's Q&A interview video. Lead a discussion prompting students to come up with new questions they would like to ask the author. Example questions to start: 'What inspired you to write this?', 'How did you choose the characters?'
Discussion & Extension Questions
How did Niagara Dog Rescue play a role in the storys resolution?
Why is it important for a dog to have a 'Forever Home' instead of just a temporary one?
How did Pennygirls internal feelings evolve throughout her journey?
What are the different roles of community helpers mentioned in or related to the book?
How can children your age practice animal advocacy in your community?
Alternative Lesson Plan - Ages 3 - 7
Learning Objectives
Recognize facial expressions and body language associated with different emotions.
Express the storys message of kindness through collaborative art.
Connect personal experiences of loneliness or fear to the characters journey.
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Procedure (40 minutes)
(10 mins) Warm-up Discussion: Ask the group about feelings. Ask: How does your body feel when you are scared? Where do you go when you want to feel safe? What is a way you have shown kindness to a friend or a pet? If you were lonely, what is one thing that would make you smile?
(15 mins) Multimedia Storytime: Watch the read along video. Encourage students to clap every time they see someone being kind to Pennygirl.
(15 mins) Collaborative 'Kindness Mural': Spread out a large piece of paper. Have each student contribute a 'paw print' (handprint) or a drawing of a kind act they can do for others. Discuss how these small acts, like the ones in Pennygirl's story, make the world a better place for everyone.
Discussion & Extension Questions
How did Pennygirl feel when she was alone in the shelter?
Who were the people who helped Pennygirl feel safe again?
What does 'Forever Home' mean to you?
What is one thing we can do today to show kindness to an animal?
How did Pennygirl's story make you feel at the very end?