- grain
- grow
- plant
- seed
MA Standards:
English Language Arts/Literature/RL.PK.MA.1: With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about a story or a poem read aloud.
English Language Arts/Literature/RL.PK.MA.2: With prompting and support, retell a sequence of events from a story read aloud.
English Language Arts/Literature/RL.PK.MA.4: With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unfamiliar words in a story or poem read aloud.
English Language Arts/Literature/RL.PK.MA.10: Listen actively as an individual and as a member of a group to a variety of age-appropriate literature read aloud.
Head Start Outcomes:
Literacy Knowledge/Book Appreciation and Knowledge: Asks and answers questions and makes comments about print materials.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
English Language Arts/Reading and Literature 6: Listen to a wide variety of age appropriate literature read aloud.
English Language Arts/Reading and Literature 10: Engage actively in read-aloud activities by asking questions, offering ideas, predicting or retelling important parts of a story or informational book.
Read Together: The Little Red Hen #2
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
STEM Key Concepts: Plants need water and sunlight to grow
ELA Focus Skills: Listening and Speaking, Story Comprehension, Vocabulary
Hold up The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone and read the title as you track the words with your finger.
Before You Read
As you hold up the book, have children describe what they see on the cover. Prompt them to use vocabulary words related to plants and planting such as seed, plant, watering can, rake, flowers, or vines. You may need to point out and name objects for children.
Set a reading focus by having children notice what the hen does to help the wheat grow and compare it to the things they do to help their plants grow.
As You Read
Read slowly and with expression. Use a different voice for each character.
- Encourage children to chime in when the dog, cat, and mouse say “Not I!” and the hen says “Then I will.”
- Pause on the page where hen is using a hoe to dig and prepare her garden. Ask, What tool did you use to dig a small hole in the soil when you planted your seeds in a cup? (spoon)
- Pause on the page where the hen is watering the wheat. Ask, Why is the hen watering the wheat? How is that similar to how you care for your plants?
After You Read
Talk with children about the book.
- Ask, How does this book help you understand how to help plants grow?
- Look back at the illustrations and talk about all the tools the hen uses while taking care of the plants. Ask, What do you think each tool is used for? Ask, What tools do you use when taking care of your plants?