MY BIG DOG TEACHER TIPS

1.  Point of View and Voice

  • Have students read the first sentence using different voices for Merl
  • Have students re-tell a familiar story from the point of one of the main characters

2.  Accepting Differences

  • Have students discuss why Merl doesn't like Violet at first
  • Why does Merl accept Violet at the end?
  • Many students have a new sibling who suddenly enters their world.  Have them discuss how they felt when the new baby arrived.

3.  Looking for detail

  • List the ways that the people are different the animals in this book
  • Who do you think the people are?

4.  Onomatopoeia

  • Make a list of all the words that illustrate onomatopoeia
  • Read the book letting the students fill in these words either by verbalizing the noise or physically making the noise

"Susan's love for children allows her to touch the lives of over 100,000 children each year in ways the rest of us can only envy."
 Dr. Susan Lair, Head of School, St. Francis Episcopal Day School