Picture book

Picture Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by: Eric

Carle

Report By: Ruth Ann DapkusREAD 515: ECE Found Literacy Development-Fall 2015Professor: Rebecca Olien

Carle, E. (1987). The very hungry caterpillar ([Rev.]. ed.). New York: Philomel Books

I choose this book because it is something I’ve used in classes before. It works well for ELL’s and native speakers alike. It talks about days of the week, the life cycle, and healthy foods in many ways as well.

In the past I’ve incorporated group projects that complement the story. I love having the kids make their own book. They can change what the caterpillar eats on each day of the week. Teachers can also use this book to talk about the life cycle of a butterfly. The book puts ‘metamorphosis’ in a very simple form that young learners can understand.

There are math, science and reading applications for this story.

Summary: The caterpillar is very, very

hungry. He goes out in search of food to eat. Unfortunately, the hungry caterpillar does not find the ideal food to eat. Nothing it seems will fill him up. The caterpillar tries many different kinds of food. He tries everything from healthy fruits and vegetables to junk food. Finally, he believes that he’s found the perfect food! After he eats he gets bigger and bigger until he is so big he needs to take a rest. The caterpillar goes to sleep in a small house that he builds. This is called a ‘cocoon’. The caterpillar remains inside for two whole weeks. Upon waking up he discovers something wonderful. He has turned into a big, beautiful butterfly.

ELL Support * Focus on answers to who, what, when, where, why, how much,

or how many. * Use the pop-up book as additional ‘visual’ support in storytelling

and read- alouds. * Count and answer ‘how many’ questions…elicit counting and

number knowledge. * Relate the story to something they understand (Jalongo 2008)• Ask sequencing questions and have them point to what happens in

the:• -beginning• -middle• -end (and/or 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th or last) • Have them ‘retell’ the story in their own words.

Right-There Questions:

Where did the egg start out? (on a leaf) Why did he eat and eat? (he was hungry) What did he eat first on Monday? (an apple) What did he eat on Tuesday…..et cetera (two pears…) listing the rest

of the foods What did he eat last on Sunday? (a leaf) What was his small house called? (a cocoon) Who came up through the cocoon? (a butterfly)

Inference Questions: Why did the caterpillar look for some food? (He was hungry after

coming out of the egg) Why did the caterpillar get a stomachache? (He ate a lot of junk food) When did the caterpillar get a stomachache? (On Saturday night, after

he ate all the junk food) Why do you think he felt much better after eating the leaf?

(caterpillars are supposed to eat leaves)

Personal Connection Questions:

What did the cocoon do? What do you think he will do now that he is a butterfly? (Ask additional questions about ‘willpower’ and eating foods that are

healthy and foods that are not healthy) What are some ‘healthy’ foods that he ate? What are some

‘unhealthy’ foods he ate? What are some ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ foods you eat? Student-to-student interactions: ‘Turn and talk’ How long did it

take to go from a hatched egg to a butterfly? (Show me in the book) e.g. It took MORE than 2 weeks because he ate for one whole week! How long in all?

Junk food and healthy food…(examples) Can you show me?

Additional ways to use the book:A.) The story narrates its way through the lifecycle of a caterpillar and his change

into a butterfly. It is also a great way to learn about what a caterpillar can and cannot eat.

B.) The story is fun and moves along quickly. It has excellent pictures that will captivate young ELL’s and native speakers alike. The storyline will help with teaching days of the week. It is such a simple book but it is filled with rich information that can extend to science, math and counting!

C.) Eric Carle has a number of books! They are all fun to read with children.

D.) Vocabulary extension: Chrysalis, cocoon, larva, pupa, metamorphosis, lifecycle

Carle, E. (1987). The very hungry caterpillar ([Rev.]. ed.). New York: Philomel Books

Jalongo, M. (2000). Early childhood language arts (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon

http://www.amazon.com/Very-Hungry-Caterpillar-Eric-Carle/dp/0399226907/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1447559712&sr=8-2&keywords=carle+hungry+caterpillar

References