If You Take a Mouse to the Movies



Last updated Monday, November 21, 2005

Author: Laura Numeroff
Illustrator: Felicia Bond
Date of Publication: 2000
ISBN: 0060278676
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Dec. 2005

Synopsis: Everything has an impact on everything else in this world, so if you take a mouse to the movies, don't be surprised if you find yourself being run ragged by the exuberant little fellow's increasingly grand appetites.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What do you do when you go to the movies?
•  How does your family celebrate the holidays?
•  Have you ever played in the snow? What do you do in the snow or what do you think people do in the snow?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What does the mouse do?
•  What would you do if you were the little boy?
•  Point out items on each page and ask the students to identify them.

Craft ideas:
•  Make a chain with paper for the tree. Have each student draw something on eight links. Each child can make a chain with everyone's link and take it home. Bring ahead option: stamps, stencils, or stickers.
•  Make ornaments for the tree. Using die cuts, add a paper clip to the top for them to use it to hang on the tree.
•  Make mouse ears with a strip of paper and circle.

Special activities:
•  Sing Christmas songs using the word ?mouse? to replace a word. Jingle ?mouse??

*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!