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
Recognize that everyone has unique talents
Practice identifying feelings in characters
Engage in listening comprehension
Materials
Procedure (30 minutes)
(10 mins) Introduction. Start by asking thematic questions: "Have you ever felt like you were too small to do something big?", "How do you feel when you meet a new friend?", "What makes someone a brave person?"
(10 mins) Watch the read along video together. Focus on the pictures of Reggie and his movements.
(10 mins) Drawing Activity. Have children draw Reggie or a spider of their own and share what "big dream" their character might have.
Discussion & Extension Questions
Why was Reggie an unusual spider?
What does it mean to look beyond first impressions?
How did Reggie show courage in the story?
Why is it important to make new friends?
How did the changing seasons affect Reggie's adventure?
Kindergarten Lesson Plan - Age 5
Learning Objectives
Identify the narrative sequence of the story
Describe character traits of Reggie
Reflect on the meaning of resilience
Materials
Procedure (40 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Introduction. Ask students: "What does it mean to be brave?", "Why is it sometimes hard to get to know someone new?", "How can we be kind to people who seem different from us?"
(10 mins) Watch the read along video. Pause to discuss the facial expressions of the guest characters.
(20 mins) Creative Response. Students illustrate their favorite seasonal transition from the book.
(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 the three unexpected guests like when they first met Reggie?
How did Reggie change their minds?
What does resilience mean for a small spider?
How does the rhyming style make the story feel like an adventure?
If you were Reggie, where would you travel next?
1st Grade Lesson Plan - Age 6
Learning Objectives
Analyze character development throughout the story
Understand the impact of rhyme in storytelling
Define perseverance in the context of Reggie's journey
Materials
Procedure (40 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Introduction. Ask the class: "Have you ever judged someone before talking to them?", "Why might we see things differently than others?", "What is a goal you have worked hard to reach?"
(10 mins) Watch the read along video. Focus on identifying the rhyming patterns.
(20 mins) Journal Entry. Students write a short paragraph about a time they showed perseverance like Reggie.
(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 Reggie show that he was more than meets the eye?
Which of the three guests had the most surprising reaction to Reggie?
How does the environment change throughout Reggie's travels?
What role does friendship play in Reggie's success?
How would the story be different if it did not rhyme?
2nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 7
Learning Objectives
Explain how the setting impacts the plot
Compare and contrast the personality of the guest characters
Connect character traits to real-world experiences
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Procedure (45 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Introduction. Ask students: "How do the seasons change how we act or feel?", "What does it mean to persevere through a difficult situation?", "Why is curiosity important for explorers?"
(15 mins) Watch the read along video. Identify the four distinct settings/seasons.
(20 mins) Group activity. Create a "season chart" illustrating how Reggie interacted with the environment and the guests during different times of the year.
(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 specific challenges did Reggie face during his travels?
How do the illustrations help us understand the personality of the guests?
Why is Reggie's journey described as moving from mystery to mischief?
How does the author use the rhyming style to keep the reader engaged?
What advice would you give to the guests who met Reggie?
Alternative Lesson Plan - Ages 3 - 7
Learning Objectives
Explore themes of friendship and courage
Develop observation skills through storytelling
Express personal reactions to the narrative
Materials
Procedure (40 minutes)
(10 mins) Introduction. Facilitate a discussion on exploration: "What is the most interesting place you have ever been?", "Why do people travel to new places?", "What does it feel like to go on a big adventure?"
(15 mins) Watch the read along video and ask students to point out their favorite illustrations.
(15 mins) Crafting. Use recycled cardboard to create a "travel suitcase" for Reggie, decorating it with what he might need for his adventure.
Discussion & Extension Questions
What made Reggie a special spider?
How did the guests treat Reggie at the beginning compared to the end?
Which season was your favorite in the story?
What is the most important lesson Reggie learned on his trip?
How can we be like Reggie in our daily lives?