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Watch Me Throw the Ball! (An Elephant and Piggie Book)



Last updated Monday, November 4, 2013

Author: Mo Willems
Date of Publication: 2009
ISBN: 1423113489
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Nov. 2013

Synopsis: Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In Watch Me Throw the Ball!, Gerald is determined to teach Piggie that ball-throwing is serious business... but Piggie is just as determined to have serious fun.

Note to readers:
•  This is a short book with not many words, so be sure to read slowly and act out the pictures. You may want to do a picture walk before or after the reading. You can also take breaks and have everyone stretch, play a game, and pretend to throw a ball.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Can you throw a ball?
•  Who in this book wants to throw a ball?
•  Have you read any other Elephant & Piggie books?

Vocabulary:
•  skill - a learned ability one has to do something (like throwing, catching, running)
•  practice - to repeatedly or regularly do something (over and over) in order to get better at it
•  fling - to throw wildly without aiming
•  power - very strong

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What are the secrets to throwing? (skill, practice and have fun)
•  Why did Piggie think he had thrown the ball all the way around the world?
•  Who is better at throwing the ball, Piggie or Gerald the Elephant? Who has more fun throwing the ball?
•  Do you prefer the way Piggie or Gerald the Elephant throws the ball?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a pig or elephant mask or puppet (see sample).

*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!