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Quick as a Cricket is sure to please your preschooler. Throughout the book, a young boy describes himself as many different animals.
I’m as loud as a lion.
I’m as quiet as a clam.
I’m as tough as a rhino.
I’m as gentle as a lamb.”
I like to read this book in my best LOUD voice. And my best quiet voice. And my TOUGH and gentle voices, too.
This basic framework provides many lessons for a Quick as a Cricket unit study and lapbook: rhyming words, animal sizes, opposites, and so much more.
Quick as a Cricket Unit Study & Lapbook
Phonics: Letter Q
Quick starts with the letter Q and you may want to use this book as an opportunity to introduce your student to Q and the sound it makes. You can use the Q printables in the file to learn about Q (activities include the words quick, queen, and quilt).
Nursery Rhyme: Jack Be Nimble
Discuss the word quick. Do some things slowly and do some things quickly (walk slowly then quickly, spin slowly then quickly, you can even pretend to do things like brush your teeth slowly and quickly). Have fun acting out this rhyme.
Opposites
Discuss the opposites in the book and use the Opposite Mini-books (in the printables section) to reinforce the concept. You may also want to use the Quiet & Loud Pocket Book with Cards (in the printables section) for some sorting fun. If you are learning the letter Q, be sure to emphasize the beginning of the word quiet.
Drama Fun
Act out the different animals and adjectives in the story. Jump and chirp like a cricket, growl like a tiger, move slowly like a snail, and swim like a shark. Pretend to be tame and pretend to be wild. You could also make motions for the story and act them out each time you read it together.
Write Your Own Animal Comparison
Ask your preschooler what animal he is the most like and why. Have him try to draw the animal (help if needed and let him color it in) and write “I’m as __________ as a __________” underneath the picture.
Retelling the Story
After you’ve read the story (a few days in a row), let your preschooler have a turn “reading” the story to you!
Sequencing Sizes
Have your student place the animals (from the printables) in order from smallest to largest or largest to smallest.
Science: Crickets
Learn more about crickets while reading The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle.
How to Get Started
Follow these simple instructions to get started with the Quick as a Cricket unit study and printables:
- Buy a copy of the book, Quick as a Cricket, or grab one from your local library.
- Print the Quick as a Cricket unit study and lapbook.
- Choose the lessons you want to use with your student (a highlighter works great for this).
- Choose and prepare the lapbook printables you want to use with your student.
- Enjoy a week of fun-filled Quick as a Cricket learning with your preschool student.
Download Your Quick as a Cricket Unit Study & Lapbook
Simply click on the image below to grab your free Quick as a Cricket unit study and lapbook.
More Animal Themed Resources for Your Preschooler
If your student enjoyed reading and learning with Quick as a Cricket, he may also enjoy these animal themed resources:
If you think Quick as a Cricket is fun to read, you should try We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
If your student wants to learn more about crickets, try The Very Quiet Cricket (hey, another Q word!).
