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Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes



Last updated Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Author: Eric Litwin
Illustrator: James Dean
Date of Publication: 2011
ISBN: 0061910244
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Sep. 2014

Synopsis: Pete the Cat is back—and this time he’s rocking in his school shoes. Pete discovers the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and lots of other cool places at school. And no matter where he goes, Pete never stops moving and grooving and singing his song . . . because it’s all good.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What is Pete doing in his school shoes? Where is he going? What is he taking with him? (a backpack, a lunch pail, a guitar)
•  What musical instrument is Pete playing on the cover?
•  Where do you like to wear school shoes?

Vocabulary:
•  strolling - walking in a leisurely or idle manner; rambling
•  rocking - to sway back and forth
•  field - an open land area free of woods and buildings

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Where is Pete going in his new shoes?
•  What rooms and activities does Pete do in his new shoes?
•  Have you ever been to the library?
•  What types of books does Pete find in the library? Do these books look interesting?
•  Have you ever been to the lunchroom?
•  What does Pete eat for lunch?
•  Do you like to go to the playground? What is your favorite thing to do on the playground?
•  What are some other things Pete does in his school shoes? Where?
•  Do you do some of the same things Pete does at school?
•  How is Pete's classroom & school similar to yours?

Craft ideas:
•  Make ahead of time - cut out rectangles for the body & legs, squares for shoes, circles for the head & eyes, triangles for the ears & nose. Have the kids paste the shapes together to make their own Pete the Cat. Add shoelaces made from yarn or (yellow) ribbon tied into bows.

Special activities:
•  Sing Pete's song.
•  Stroll and dance like Pete the Cat in "rocking" school shoes.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!