The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch is a classic children’s book that has been read and enjoyed by generations of kids. It tells the story of a strong-willed princess who goes on an adventure to save her prince from a dragon. With its humorous elements, clever dialogue, and inspiring message, it’s an excellent choice for any elementary classroom. Here are some teacher lesson plans to help you get your students engaged with the book.
Before Reading Questions
Before you start reading The Paper Bag Princess aloud, ask questions to get your students thinking about what might happen in the story. You could ask questions like “What do you think will happen when the princess meets the dragon?” or “What do you think she will need to rescue her prince?” This will help your students activate their prior knowledge and set up their expectations for the story.
During Reading Questions
As you read the book aloud, pause periodically to check in with your students and make sure they are understanding what is happening in the story. Ask questions like “What do we know about the dragon so far?” or “What has changed since we last checked in?” You can also use this time to discuss any new vocabulary words that come up throughout the reading.
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After Reading Questions
After you finish reading The Paper Bag Princess, ask questions about how different characters reacted to events in the story or how they felt about certain developments. This will help your students develop empathy and gain insight into human behavior. Additionally, you could ask them reflective questions such as “What did the princess learn on her journey?” or “How would things have been different if she had made different choices along the way?”
Anchor Charts
Anchor charts are great tools for helping your students visualize important concepts from stories like The Paper Bag Princess. For example, create an anchor chart showing how characters respond differently to difficult situations or how they demonstrate resilience when faced with obstacles. Use these anchor charts throughout class discussions as a visual reminder of key ideas from the book.
Students Workbook
Create a workbook for your students that includes activities related to The Paper Bag Princess such as writing prompts, character sketches, and discussion starters. This workbook should provide an opportunity for students to practice their critical thinking skills while still having fun with their learning experience!
Reading Response Questions
Give each student two or three post-it notes with specific questions written on them based on key moments from The Paper Bag Princess. These could be open-ended questions such as “How did Elizabeth feel when she realized she was being tricked by Ronald?” or more thought-provoking ones such as “Do you think Elizabeth made the right decision in leaving Ronald despite his wealth and status? Explain why or why not.” Have each student place their post-it note onto a larger piece of paper where everyone can see it; then have everyone discuss their answers together!
Writing Activities
Give your students creative writing activities based on scenes from The Paper Bag Princess such as creating alternative endings for Elizabeth’s adventure or rewriting chapters from different character perspectives. These activities can be tailored to each student’s individual interests and abilities; plus, they are perfect for getting more out of each reading session!
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Whether you choose one activity or all of them, these teacher lesson plans will help make your classroom experience more enjoyable and engaging when reading Robert Munsch’s timeless classic, The Paper Bag Princess. By asking thoughtful before-, during-, and after-reading questions; creating anchor charts; designing workbooks; posing response questions; and giving creative writing prompts –you can ensure that every student gets something valuable out of this beloved book!