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.
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Pre-K Lesson Plan (Ages 3-4)
Learning Objectives
Identify different characters in the story.
Understand that 'scary' can also be playful.
Practice listening skills during story time.
Materials
Book "Tiny Boo" or watch the read aloud
Drawing paper
Monster stickers (optional)
Procedure (~35 - 45 minutes)
Introduction: Ask students what they know about ghosts and monsters. Explain that today we'll meet a tiny ghost and his friends. (5 minutes)
Watch Author Read-Aloud or read the book: Gather students and watch the "Tiny Boo" read-aloud video with the author here. Encourage them to listen for character names and sounds. (5-10 Minutes)
Discussion: Ask students to point out their favorite character from the video/book. Discuss what Tiny Boo does to scare his friends. Emphasize that it's playful. (5 minutes)
Character Drawing: Provide paper and crayons. Ask students to draw their favorite character from the story or create their own friendly monster. (10-15 minutes)
Show and Tell: Students share their drawings and briefly describe their character. (5 minutes)
Wrap-up: Reiterate that Halloween can be fun and not too scary, just like Tiny Boo. (5 minutes)
Kindergarten Lesson Plan - Age 5
Learning Objectives
Identify main characters and their roles.
Recognize simple rhyming patterns in the story.
Discuss different emotions characters might feel (scared, playful, surprised).
Practice drawing characters with expressions.
Materials
Book "Tiny Boo" or watch the read aloud (author Q&A optional)
chart paper
Drawing paper
Procedure (~50 - 60 minutes)
Pre-reading Discussion: Ask students what they think a ghost does. Introduce "Tiny Boo" and his monster friends. (5 minutes)
Watch Author Read-Aloud: Play the "Tiny Boo" read-aloud video by the author here. Ask students to listen for rhyming words. (5-10 minutes)
Rhyme Hunt: After the video, revisit parts of the story. Write down some rhyming pairs from the book on chart paper (e.g., "boo" / "you", "eat" / "treat"). Have students identify other rhyming words they heard. (10 minutes)
Character Emotions: Discuss the different emotions characters might experience when Tiny Boo scares them (surprise, a little scared, then happy/playful). Have students make faces showing these emotions. (5 minutes)
Draw a Scared/Surprised Monster: Students draw one of Tiny Boo's monster friends looking surprised or playfully scared. Encourage them to add details. (15-20 minutes)
Sharing: Students share their drawings and explain what emotion their monster is feeling. (5 minutes)
Conclusion: Review the idea that scares can be fun and playful, especially with friends. (5 minutes)
1st Grade Lesson Plan - Age 6
Learning Objectives
Identify the main characters, setting, and basic plot of the story.
Infer the author's purpose for writing "Tiny Boo."
Brainstorm questions for the author about the book and writing process.
Write a short descriptive sentence about a character.
Materials
Book "Tiny Boo" or watch the read aloud
Whiteboard/chart paper
Student notebooks/writing paper
Procedure (~60-65 minutes)
Introduction: Introduce the book "Tiny Boo" and ask students to think about what makes a story fun or interesting. (5 minutes)
Watch Author Read-Aloud or read the book: Watch the "Tiny Boo" read-aloud video by the author here. Instruct students to pay attention to the characters and what Tiny Boo does. (5-10 minutes)
Story Elements Discussion: (15 minutes)
After the video, discuss:
Characters: Who are the main characters?
Setting: Where does the story take place?
Plot: What happens in the story?
Author's Purpose: Discuss why the author, Samantha Howard-Els, might have written this book. Was it to entertain? To teach something? To make people laugh? (5 minutes)
Author Q&A Exploration: (15 minutes)
Explain that authors often get questions from readers.
Brainstorm: As a class or in small groups, brainstorm questions they would ask Samantha Howard-Els about "Tiny Boo." Examples: "Where did you get the idea for Tiny Boo?", "Are the monsters real?", "What's your favorite part to write?", "How long did it take to write?".
Discussion: Discuss what kinds of answers they might expect. What does this tell us about the author's perspective or the creative process?
Optional watch the author Q&A to see if their questions are answered (not included in procedure time ~20 minutes)
Character Description: Students choose one character from the book and write a descriptive sentence about them in their notebooks. (10 minutes)
Share and Reflect: Students share their sentences and some of their Q&A questions. (5 minutes)
Wrap-up: Emphasize the fun of storytelling and the role of the author. (5 minutes)
2nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 7
Learning Objectives
Analyze character traits of Tiny Boo and his friends.
Discuss the concept of point of view (how characters react).
Identify and appreciate rhyming and rhythmic patterns in the text.
Formulate insightful questions for the author.
Materials
Book "Tiny Boo" or watch the read aloud
Whiteboard/chart paper
Student notebooks/writing paper
Procedure (~60-65 minutes)
Pre-reading Engagement: Ask students to recall previous Halloween stories or experiences. Introduce "Tiny Boo" and its premise. (5 minutes)
Watch Author Read-Aloud or read the book: Watch the "Tiny Boo" read-aloud video by the author here. Encourage students to listen for the rhythm and rhymes, and observe the characters' reactions. (5 - 10 minutes)
Character Analysis: Tiny Boo: What kind of ghost is he? (Playful, small, enjoys scaring). Guests: How do they react? (Surprised, a little scared, then wondering who it is). Discuss how their reactions change throughout the story. (5 minutes)
Point of View: Discuss how the story might be different if told from a monster's point of view ("I was just enjoying my brew when suddenly I felt a chill!"). (5 minutes)
Rhyme and Rhythm: Revisit specific lines from the book. Discuss how the rhyming and rhythm make the story fun to read aloud and memorable. Why do authors use rhyme? (5 minutes)
Author Q&A Exploration: (15 minutes)
Review: Remind students that authors make many choices when writing.
Question Generation: In pairs or individually, have students develop 2-3 thoughtful questions they would ask Samantha Howard-Els about the book. Encourage questions that go beyond "what happened next?" and delve into her creative process, character development, or message. Examples: "How did you decide on the 'tiny' aspect of Boo?", "What was the biggest challenge in writing this rhyming story?", "What message do you hope readers take away?".
Share & Discuss: Have students share their questions and discuss what makes a good question for an author.
Optional watch the author Q&A to see if their questions are answered (not included in procedure time ~20 minutes)
Creative Extension: Students write a short paragraph describing a new friendly monster character they would introduce to Tiny Boo's party, including how Tiny Boo might try to scare them. (15 minutes)
Conclusion: Reflect on the author's craft and the elements that make "Tiny Boo" an engaging story. (5 minutes)
Alternative Lesson Plan Ages 4-7
Learning Objectives
Analyze the character traits of Tiny Boo and the hotel guests.
Discuss how characters react to different situations.
Strengthen listening comprehension through read-aloud and discussion.
Explore imaginative movement and creative expression.
Develop fine-motor skills and creativity through hands-on craft activities.
Materials
Book "Tiny Boo" or watch the read aloud
Whiteboard or chart paper
Student notebooks or writing paper
Cotton balls or tissue paper
Small paper cups or ghost cut-outs
String for hanging Tiny Boo
Coloring materials or glitter (optional)
Procedure (~45–60 minutes)
Pre-Reading Engagement (10 minutes): Begin by asking students to imagine what a tiny ghost might do in a haunted hotel. Encourage them to make soft ghost “boo” sounds, jingling bell noises, or gentle shoulder taps to mimic Tiny Boo’s playful antics. Ask students to predict whether Tiny Boo will be scary or silly, and what kinds of surprises they think the guests might encounter.
Read-Aloud and Discussion (15 minutes):
Read Tiny Boo aloud or watch the video. Pause periodically to ask comprehension questions: Where does Tiny Boo live? What kind of jobs does he do around the hotel? How do the guests react to his tricks? What happens when Tiny Boo grows larger? How do the guests feel at the end of the story? Discuss how the characters’ reactions change throughout the story.
Creative Movement: “Be Like Tiny Boo” (10 minutes):
Invite students to act out Tiny Boo’s antics with their bodies. They can float like a ghost, tiptoe and tap someone’s shoulder then hide, sink through the floor like Tiny Boo, fly like a witch on a broomstick, play an invisible harp like the spider, or grow bigger and bigger before “popping” back to tiny size. This activity encourages imaginative movement and helps students engage physically with the story.
Craft Activity: “Make Your Own Tiny Boo” (15 minutes):
Have students create their own Tiny Boo using cotton balls, tissue paper, glue, googly eyes, and small paper cups or cut-outs. They can hang their creations with string. Optional extensions include adding glitter, drawing colorful “bubbles” around Tiny Boo, or creating a haunted hotel scene with other friendly monsters and witches. For older students, encourage drawing or collaging the entire Haunted Hotel Ball, including Tiny Boo and the hotel guests.
Mini Literacy Activities (Optional Extensions):
For younger students, focus on rhyming and letter recognition: match rhyming pairs such as Boo–you or night–fright, or trace letters B for Boo and G for ghost. For older students, sequence picture cards from the story, or write and dictate one sentence describing what Tiny Boo does next.
Reflection and Discussion (5 minutes):
Ask students what their favorite part of the story was and whether Tiny Boo was more silly or scary. Encourage them to imagine working in Tiny Boo’s haunted hotel and what kind of job they would have. Reflect on how the author used rhyming, rhythm, and character reactions to make the story engaging.
Optional Add-Ons:
Provide coloring pages featuring Tiny Boo. Use rhyming word sorts or creative writing prompts inspired by the story to extend the learning experience.