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 activities that friends do together
Express personal experiences with friendship
Develop vocabulary related to play and nature
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Procedure (30 minutes)
(5 mins) Introduction and Thematic Discussion: Gather the students in a circle and talk about what it means to be a friend. Use these open-ended questions: What is your favorite thing to do with a friend? How does it feel when you are playing with someone you like? What kind of games can two people play together better than one person alone?
(10 mins) Read Along Activity: Watch the read along video of Marie and LeeLee. Encourage the children to point at the screen when they see the characters jumping or running. Use physical movements to mirror the characters' actions in the snow and lake.
(15 mins) Friendship Collage: Have students draw a picture of themselves and a friend doing something fun like the characters in the book. Ask them to describe their drawing to a partner using descriptive words like 'cold snow' or 'blue water'.
Discussion & Extension Questions
What did Marie and LeeLee do in the snow?
Which adventure looked like the most fun to you?
How can you tell that Marie and LeeLee are best friends?
If you could go on an adventure with Marie and LeeLee, where would you go?
What is something nice you can do for a friend today?
Kindergarten Lesson Plan - Age 5
Learning Objectives
Recognize how different environments change the way friends play
Identify rhyming words or repetitive phrases within the story
Practice narrative sequencing by retelling parts of the story
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Procedure (40 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(5 mins) Warm-up Discussion: Ask the students about the different types of weather they enjoy. Use these questions: What is your favorite season to play outside in? What are some things you can only do when it is snowing? How does the weather change the way we play with our friends?
(15 mins) Story Immersion: Watch the read along video. Pause at the lake scene and the snow scene to ask the children to describe the colors and textures they see. Encourage them to repeat key phrases used by the speech-language pathologist author to build language fluency.
(20 mins) Texture Adventure Masks: Using paper plates and cotton balls (for snow) or blue markers (for water), have students create a 'scene' from the book on their plate. Ask them to explain why they chose that specific adventure.
(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 Marie and LeeLee's clothes change when they went from the lake to the snow?
What were the friends doing when they stayed up late?
Why is it important to have a friend to talk and laugh with?
What are some words the author used to describe the adventures?
Can you think of a new adventure for Marie and LeeLee that happens in the autumn?
1st Grade Lesson Plan - Age 6
Learning Objectives
Use descriptive adjectives to describe the book's setting
Compare and contrast different activities mentioned in the text
Demonstrate understanding of friendship dynamics through roleplay
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Procedure (45 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Introductory Peer Talk: Start a conversation about the qualities of a good friend. Ask: What makes someone a 'best' friend? How do friends help each other when they are trying something new? Why do you think it is fun to share adventures with another person?
(15 mins) Visual Literacy: Watch the read along video. Ask students to pay close attention to the expressions on Marie and LeeLee's faces. Discuss how the illustrations show their emotions without using words.
(20 mins) Creative Writing and Illustration: Have students write two sentences about an adventure they want to have with a friend, using at least three descriptive adjectives (e.g., 'the cold, white, fluffy snow'). Have them draw the scene to match their sentences.
(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 does the author use 'adventure' to describe simple things like staying up late?
What are three words you would use to describe Marie and LeeLee's friendship?
How would the story be different if there was only one character instead of two?
What part of the book reminded you of your own life?
How does the author's job as a speech therapist make this book special?
2nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 7
Learning Objectives
Analyze the author's purpose in creating a book for language development
Identify the beginning, middle, and end of the characters' journey
Construct a short sequel story based on the characters' traits
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Procedure (50 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Pre-Reading Concept Discussion: Introduce the idea of 'adventures' in everyday life. Ask: Does an adventure have to be in a far-away land, or can it be in your backyard? What are some small moments that felt like big adventures to you? How does sharing a moment with a friend make it more 'unforgettable'?
(15 mins) Analytical Reading: Watch the read along video. Ask students to identify specific language strategies they notice (like repetition or clear enunciation). Discuss why a speech-language pathologist would include these.
(25 mins) Sequel Scripting: In pairs, have students write a brief 'next chapter' for Marie and LeeLee. They must include a setting, a fun activity, and a dialogue exchange between the two friends that shows their bond.
(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 do you think the author chose to write about these specific activities (lake, snow, talking)?
How does the rhythm of the story help you remember what happens next?
If you were the author, what other childhood adventure would you add to the book?
What does 'the beauty of their friendship' mean to you?
How can books help us learn how to speak and communicate better?
Alternative Lesson Plan - Ages 3 - 7
Learning Objectives
Engage multiple senses to connect with the story's themes
Practice social-emotional skills through collaborative play
Improve verbal communication through guided prompts
Materials
Book and/or Read Along Video
Procedure (40 minutes)
(10 mins) Thematic Circle Time: Open with a discussion about movement and senses. Ask: How does your body feel when you jump into water? What does snow feel like on your hands? What sounds do you hear when you are laughing with a friend?
(15 mins) Interactive Read Along: Watch the read along video. As the story progresses, use the props to mimic the scenes. Use the blue tissue paper for the lake and the blankets for the 'staying up late' scene. Encourage students to describe the 'feel' of the materials as they relate to the book.
(15 mins) Imaginative Adventure Stations: Set up 'stations' around the room using the cardboard boxes as 'boats' or 'forts'. Have children work in pairs to 'go on an adventure' in their station, narrating what they are doing to their partner to practice language skills.
Discussion & Extension Questions
What was your favorite 'station' to play in today?
How did the blankets help us pretend we were in the story?
What is something new you learned about being a friend?
Which part of the book made you want to move your body the most?
Can you name one thing Marie and LeeLee did that you have also done?