CHALLENGING WORDS

aphids

arrived

encountered

flippers

grouchy

hyena

insist

rhinoceros

screeched

stretching

SUMMARY

The grouchy ladybug did not say please or thank you. She would not share. She thought she was bigger and more important than anyone else. Then, she met her match and became nicer and a well-behaved ladybug.

Reading Level: 2.5

Author: Eric Carle

Illustrator: Eric Carle

ISBN: 0-399-20853-4

Open Ended

--- Conversation Questions-

(1) Explain why the ladybug was so grouchy.

(Answer) Any logical answer.

(Follow Up) Look at the ladybug on the front of the book. What clues show you how the ladybug is feeling?

(2) Name the time of day that the ladybug shows up in the story.

(Answer) Five O’clock a.m.

(Follow-up) Remember which direction the grouchy ladybug came from.

(3) In the story what did the yellowjacket say to the ladybug?

(Answer) “If you insist.”

(Follow Up) What insect would you like to have a conversation with?

(4) Describe some of the other animals in the story.

(Answer) Preying mantis, sparrow, lobster, skunk, hyena, gorilla, etc.

(Follow Up) If you could add any animal to the story, what would it be?

(5) Tell how this story ends.

(Answer) Any logical answer.

(Follow Up) Suppose you could change the ending. How would you change it?

(6) Define aphids.

(Answer) Very small insects that suck the juice from leaves. Then the leaves die.

(Follow Up) Explain what the difference aphids and ladybugs.

(7) Share why you think the ladybug wanted to fight everyone.

(Answer) Any logical answer.

(Follow Up) Name another story that includes a character whom is a bully.

(8) In your opinion what would have happened of the ladybug had fought a snake.

(Answer) Any logical answer.

(Follow Up) Guess who would have won the fight.

(9)

(Answer)

(Follow Up)

(10)

(Answer)

(Follow Up)

Activities

1. Write a different ending to the story.

2. Draw leaves with ladybugs on them. Inside each leaf write a vocabulary word.

3. Draw pictures of four things you do during a day. Beside each picture, draw a clock to reflect the time particular activity occurs.

Introduction

1. Record the sound of a ticking clock. Have the student guess the object associated with the sound. Talk about reasons clocks are necessary. Well today’s story is about a ladybug that is grouchy all day long. Let’s read and find out how her day goes.

2. Show students some plastic insects. Discuss the different things these insects eat. Ask students if they ever met up with someone that was grouchy. No matter what you said they would disagree. Well in our story today a ladybug discovers the world does not revolve around one bug. Let’s read and see what happens.

Thanks to : Shannon Roberts Bailes

Visit their website : www.kyreads.org