Important Book Lesson Plan
I like to use The Important Book to boost self-esteem in my students. I also use it to teach about patterns in text. My students love when they hear or read the positive comments other students have made about them.
OBJECTIVE
Students read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of texts and of themselves.
MATERIALS
- The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown
SET UP AND PREPARE
Ask the students what they think this book will be about. What does "important" mean? What would make a book important?
DIRECTIONS
As a group determine the pattern of the text.
The important thing about _________ is that it is _________. It ______________, and it _________________, and ___________, and it ____________________, and _____________________.But the important thing about _____________ is that it is ________.
As a group, pick an object, describe it, and write a new verse for the story. Use a word processor or iPhoto to write a class book with each student being the topic of a page. Have the other students write positive comments about each other for the descriptive words.
The important thing about Gayle is that she is kind. She is good at drawing pictures and she is funny, and smart, and she helps others learn and listens to what we say. But the important thing about Gayle is that she is kind.
Add a photo of the object or person to the book. Share the book with parents, other classes, online. Don't forget to save the student's page for their memory book or to take home.
SUPPORTING ALL LEARNERS
The students could create an Important Book about school workers, community helpers, family members, etc.
Related Resources
Margaret Wise Brown's website: www.margaretwisebrown.com
iPhoto: www.apple.com/education/solutions/iphoto/
Gayle has been a teacher for 35 years. She has helped teachers throughout the nation learn about technology, the Internet, and creative ways to use both in the classroom.

