Mini-Guide for Reading "Creepy Carrots"

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynold is a treat! It is the perfect mix of spooky and silly. The protagonist, a carrot-loving rabbit, is convinced that he is being haunted by the carrots from the field where he takes them, and quickly devises a plan to put an end to it. Only there is an unsuspecting twist - whose plan is it really? This text is a great read this time of year while also offering an opportunity to examine figurative language and perspective.

Themes: Just-right spooky stories; problem-solving

Here are a few ways to maximize the use of this text as a read aloud to support a variety of literacy-based skills.

BEFORE READING

• Look at the cover. Discuss your observations. What does the cover tell you about what this story might be about? What do you see, think, and wonder?

• In this book, you will meet Jasper Rabbit who has a passion for carrots. What is a passion? What is one of your passions?

• What do you know about where and how carrots grow?

• What are some synonyms for CREEPY? What things do you think are creepy?

DURING READING

• What observations can you make about the artwork in the book? For example, what do you notice about the coloring? What is in color, and what is in black and white? Why do you think the illustrator made the art this way? What was he trying to do?

• Why does Jasper like to take carrots from Crankenhopper Field, and what makes him suddenly decide to stop taking them?

• What are the synonyms for the verbs used to described Jasper taking the carrots from the field? (pulled, yanked, ripped…) Can you think of other related synonyms?

• Notice the abundance of figurative language to elevate the story-telling. Some examples include:

  • tunktunktunk

  • Creepy carrots creeping

  • He thumped into his bedroom and threw on the light.

  • Jasper hatched a plan.

• Do you think Jasper is really seeing the carrots, or is it his imagination? Why does he think no one believed him? Explain.

• What plan does Jasper make to solve his problem? List the steps he takes.

• Describe the final structure around the field.

• What are perspectives? At the end, two different perspectives are revealed. From the carrots’ persepctive, the fence was their plan and their victory. But from Jasper’s perspective, the was his plan and his victory. Whose plan do you really think it was, and who does the victory belong to? The carrots, Jasper, or both?

AFTER READING

• Write about something you can’t get enough of. Illustrate your writing.

• Describe a time you thought your imagination might be playing tricks on you.

• Map the story using one of these story maps.

• FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

• SHOP RESOURCES

Halloween Writing Prompts

Halloween writing is here! Writing with a theme is a great way to capture the holiday spirit while continuing to work on academic skills.

Scroll down to find some holiday-themed writing prompts for your students.

1. If you were with a group of friends who all wanted to tell scary ghost stories, but one friend didn’t, what would you do, and why?

2. What 3 pieces of advice would you give other kids about staying safe on Halloween?

3. Write two facts and two opinions about Halloween.

4. Write step-by-step directions on how to carve a pumpkin. Use signal words such as first, then, next, after, finally.

5. Write a descriptive sentence for each of the following words: haunted; cauldron; spell; broomstick; spooky; neighborhood; treats; disguise. (CHALLENGE: Write a mini-story that includes all of these words.)

6. What are the first five words that come to mind when you think of Halloween?

7. Make a list of ways trick-or-treaters can be respectful on Halloween.

8. Write a well-written paragraph about why you like or dislike Halloween.

If you’d like to download a version to distribute to students or keep at a literacy center, I’ve got you covered! Click here to grab your free printable.

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• FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

• SHOP RESOURCES

The Cinquain: A Must-Have Writing Tool

If you’re looking for a writing tool that targets parts of speech practice and has a clear line from start to finish with a basic structure that allows room for plenty of creative expression, you might want to consider bringing the cinquain to class.

There are many types of cinquains, but the one I focus on with my students is the didactic cinquain. It is a simple cinquain that has five lines and uses word count rather than syllable count to compose each line.

The structure looks like this:

Line 1: What is your topic? Write it as a single noun.

Line 2: Describe the noun from Line 1 using two adjectives.

Line 3: Write down three action verbs that relate to the noun from Line 1.

Line 4: In four words, put down your thoughts or feelings about the noun from Line 1.

Line 5: What is a synonym for the noun from Line 1? 

EXAMPLE 1:

snowstorm

fluffy, white

flurrying, falling, accumulating

warm and cozy inside

blizzard

EXAMPLE 2:

soup

hot, delicious

steaming, stirring, sipping

perfect cold weather meal

minestrone

EXAMPLE 3:

excavator

big, powerful

scooping, digging, shaping

moving across the land

construction truck

Why I Love Them

Using this type of cinquain has many benefits for both the reluctant AND adventurous writer.

1. The cinquain lends itself well to warm up writing exercises and getting those creative juices flowing.

2. The cinquain isn’t too intimidating. (We know that can’t be said of all poetry!) The cinquain provides structure, and with only 5 lines, completion is near in sight. Students can see the finish line.

3. Writing a cinquain encourages students — regardless of ability — to practice using appropriate and descriptive nouns, adjectives, verbs, and synonyms.

4. Since cinquains are relatively short in length and can be completed in one writing period, they are the ideal confidence-boosting piece; students know when the writing period is over, they will have accomplished a completed piece of poetry.

5. With practice, cinquain writing can be a fun and creative way to reflect and document just about anything. Consider starting a cinquain journal!

ThE list of topics to write about is endless… here are some suggestions:

• A hobby or sport

• A favorite food or drink

• A holiday or celebration

• The weather

• A past vacation

• A friend or family member

• A favorite animal

• Current mood

• A field trip

• Book or movie review

• A topic in an academic content area

How to Use CINQUAINS in the Classroom

Once a formal, explicit mini-lesson on the cinquain in completed, there are many ways to incorporate them into your classroom and curriculum.

• Writing warm up (no assigned topic)

• Assigned topic to be used for a bulletin display

• Writing journal for weekly cinquain entries

• Class book on an assigned theme (holiday, field trip, season, etc…)

• Holiday gifts for parents (as a bookmark or framed writing piece)

• Comprehension check for content area topics

I hope this post inspires you to use cinquains with your students, and I’d love to know how it goes.

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