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Chalk by Bill Thomson

"Chalk" by Bill Thomson is a wordless picture book in which three children discover a bag of magical chalk at a playground. Whatever they draw with the chalk comes to life, leading to an imaginative and thrilling adventure as they bring a sun, butterflies, and a dinosaur to life. The children must think creatively to solve the problems that arise, especially when the dinosaur becomes more than they expected!

Here are some activities to use with this delightful book: 

 

Vocabulary

Explore the book and write down vocabulary that may be relevant. It cna be simple words such as colors or higher level words related to weather or creativity. Here are some picture cards and Picture and word cards relatedd to vocabulary in the story. 

 

Write your own vocabulary words that match with the picture. 

Play with vocabulary from the story. 

  

 

Prediction

As you read the book, make predictions of what may happen next. As you move forward, note if your prediction was correct by turning the thumb up or down. (Yes or no)

 

Retelling and Sequencing

Sequence details form the story. 

Layout simple version pages of the story and have students sequence into a small book. Colored and black and white versions. 

 

Alphabet Knowledge

Color the letter and matching picture. 

 

Phonological Awareness

Go on a scavenger hunt in the book. and try to find something that begins with that letter. 

 

Compound Words

This story has many compound words: raindrop, sunshine, playground, sidewalk, butterfly, raincoat, raincloud, etc. How many can you find? 

 

Here are some activities using compound words. 

 

 

Writing

Draw with Chalk - imitate writing strokes and simple pictures. 

  

Tell about your favorite part of the story. 

 

For older students, write the words to the book from a point of view: first person, second person, or third person. They can do only 1-2 pages or the entire story. 

  

Roll the dice and write the words from the point of view. 

Write a weather poem about rain. 

 

 

Science

The kids in the story use different colored chalk to draw their pictures. Match small objects to their colors. 

Describe different items by color. 

Talk about the weather. What does different weather look like? 

  

Make a weather book. 

 

Art

Draw with chalk!

Write words with chalk. Have students trace words with paintbrush and water or small sponges. 

Try "Wet Chalk art". (See ideas here) 

Crush leftover chalk as use for 3-D art. Draw with glue and sprinkle chalk on the glue. Shake off excess. 

 

Make chalk drawings come to life by taking photos with your chalk drawing. 

Draw shadow faces. 

 

Have fun playing and learning together!