Month: October 2024

30 Picture Books for Kids Who Love Fire Trucks

Clang, clang, clang! Wee-ooo, wee-ooo! Vroom, vroom, vroom! There’s SO much to see and do once the fire alarm sounds. These picture books celebrate the firefighters who put their lives on the line to keep us safe and spotlight the machines that allow them to do their jobs. A great list for a classroom discussion about Everyday Heroes. Download your FREE list today! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/30-Picture-Books-for-Kids-Who-Love-Fire-Trucks-12354668

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

Most of the time John Midas was a very nice boy. Every now and then, of course, he broke a rule…

The Chocolate Touch

Patrick Skene Catling (J Fiction)

Most of the time John Midas was a very nice boy. Every now and then, of course, he broke a rule…

John Midas loves candy. He especially loves chocolate. In fact, John is candy mad, but worse is that John doesn’t share. Not one little bit. Not with his parents or with his little sister or even with his best friend, Susan Buttercup. Yep. John was greedy and he’s about to learn a very bittersweet lesson when he finds a strange coin on the sidewalk. A coin that unlocks John’s secret wish of wanting to eat chocolate all day, every day. A coin that would have John questioning whether you CAN have too much of a good thing.

Patrick Skene Catling gives readers a cautionary twist of the classic tale of King Midas and his golden touch. In this story, a selfish and greedy boy is suddenly given the ability to turn anything that goes into his mouth to chocolate. Toothpaste, tonic, eggs, orange juice, and eggs are suddenly chocolatey treats that easily and willingly go down his throat—much to the delight of his overly concerned mother who thinks that John is finally making good food choices. But John soon realizes the downside of his powers when the things most precious to him fall victim to his chocolate touch.

The Chocolate Touch is an excellent read-aloud book ideal for either classroom discussion or a shared bedtime story. Valuable lessons such as being careful what you wish for and happiness is not always found through material gain will be recognized by readers who will most likely predict what will happen next as John continues his chocolate transformations. There are plenty of opportunities to talk about actions and consequences, accepting responsibility, and placing someone else’s needs above your own to make this a funny and effective learning tool.

Author Thomas Harris wrote, “Nothing makes us more vulnerable than loneliness except greed.” John realized this lesson as his greed began to isolate him and ultimately cost him his dignity, health, friends, and even his beloved mother. Lucky for him, a good dose of humility—which may have been more unappetizing to digest than his daily tonic—ultimately saves him from a life that even Willy Wonka may have declined.

Rating: 4/5

Bring The Chocolate Touch to your class with our study guide: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Study-Guide-The-Chocolate-Touch-by-Patrick-Skene-Catling-12313062

FREE Study Guide! Caps for Sale

This FREE guide is a great supplement to Esphyr Slobodkina’s classic book about a peddler, some missing caps, and a bunch of mischievous monkeys. Great lessons in cause and effect and position words for beginning readers as they shake and stamp along with the peddler to get his precious caps back.  

Download: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-dusty-jacket/category-free-study-guides-1326939

$3 Study Guides Coming Soon!

A brand-new study guide series is coming soon! I’m developing guides for Mary Pope Osborne’s popular MAGIC TREE HOUSE series. Guides will be priced at ONLY $3 each and are ideal for self-guided study and reinforcing key grammar and reading concepts. I’ll be covering the ENTIRE series so make sure to follow at www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/The-Dusty-Jacket so you don’t miss a single issue!

TPT Question #6: What’s the hardest part of developing my study guides?

Without a doubt it’s the activity sheets! Tying activities directly to the content AND introducing key educational and social skills WHILE keeping students engaged is a BIG challenge! But these reinforcement activities play a huge factor in helping students deep dive into the story while learning grammar, writing, research, math, history, and social studies! Check out my full catalog! www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-dusty-jacket

Study Guide: The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling

A great ELA supplement to Patrick Skene Catling’s hilarious twist on the legend of King Midas and his golden touch. Lessons are learned when John Midas’s wish is not as sweet as he thought it would be. Themes of honesty, selfishness, greed, accountability, and redemption make this a great book for classroom discussion. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Study-Guide-The-Chocolate-Touch-by-Patrick-Skene-Catling-12313062

More FREE Guides Coming Soon: Petunia & Caps For Sale

MORE free study guides coming soon! A silly goose who thinks that having a book equals wisdom and a frustrated peddler dealing with some cheeky monkeys. A great way to introduce your young reader to successful reading habits and guided learning. Don’t miss out! Follow us at www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/The-Dusty-Jacket

TPT Question #5: Can I Make a Customized Study Guide Bundle?

Yes! If you know what you’re planning to teach, send an email to info@thedustyjacket.com with a list of the study guides you want bundled and your name. Not only will you save TIME with these guides, but bundling means that you save MONEY, too! For my complete catalog, visit www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-dusty-jacket