Gustavo {Reading Comprehension and Social-Emotional Learning Activities}

Gustavo The Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago is a beautiful story about a ghost who learns how to make friends and share his talents (and himself!) with the world. This book companion supports reading comprehension, as well as social emotional learning.

This unit is perfect for Halloween, but you can read this book anytime of the year. These activities will pair perfectly with your whole group read-aloud. Your students will practice retelling, identifying character traits, understanding key vocabulary, as well as work on making new friends.

The following activities are included.

Printables (quick low-prep activities)

Discussion Questions for before, during and after reading

Spooky Synonyms-color the ghosts to show the synonyms

Add a Character-create a new character with a special talent to add to the story

Identify the Feelings-label the feelings on each ghost

Vocabulary- draw a picture of each vocabulary word (shy, difficult, terrifying, dared, longed, discovered, practicing)

Character Traits- identify the words that describe Gustavo on the inside and the outside

Lesson Learned-draw and write about the lesson Gustavo learned (4 versions)

Flipbooks

A Time I Felt Shy and A Time I Felt Proud- draw and write inside the flipbook

Vocabulary-use each of the vocabulary words

Spooky Traits and Silly Traits-identify Gustavo's character traits and which do NOT describe Gustavo

My Special Talent-tell all about a special talent and how it feels to use your talent

Beginning/Middle/End and Initial/Medial/Final

Thoughts and Feelings Flipbook

Tell all about Gustavo's thoughts and feelings at the beginning and the end of the story. Then, make a connection and tell about a time you learned something and your thoughts and feelings changed.

"Eyescream for Retelling"

Create the monster ice cream truck using the templates, and put the story events in sequence.

How To Make Friends

-Anchor Chart Pieces

-Friendship Survey

-How to Make Friends Writing Page (3 versions)

Story Elements Flipbook (4 versions)

Draw and write about the Characters, Setting, Problem, and Solution of the story.

"I Glow When" Craft

Tell all about what makes you "glow" with pride. I've included teacher directions to add the "glow" effect to your students' photos so they can add it to their writing.