Love That Dog | Book Companion | 3rd Grade | ELA

Love That Dog - Book Companion

This complete and engaging literacy unit for Love That Dog [ by Sharon Creech] will save YOU time and engage your students in a meaningful reading experience. Reading responses, graphic organizers, comprehension questions, poetry terms, writing about reading, character traits, pre-reading pages and questions, and end-of-book "thinking questions". This book is a perfect introduction to a unit on poetry. Poetry pages are included in this teaching resource to start this unit. 

This teaching resource is to be used with the book,

Love That Dog, by Sharon Creech.

These writing prompts and graphic organizers

• will enable young readers to make connections to their reading
• will support reading strategies taught
• will improve reading comprehension
• will engage students in literature in a meaningful way
• will introduce the genre of poetry and create opportunities to write poems

What focus skills are included in this teaching resource?

• poetry survey
• characters' words and actions
• adjectives to describe the characters
• learning poetry terms
• ‘thick and thin’ questions
• comprehension questions by each section (month by month)
• problem and solution
• opinion writing
• important story events
• writing poetry
• writing shape poems
• Step away from the text
• pages to share with a reading partner
• summarize the story page
• ‘make a cover’ for your "Love That Dog" folder
• thinking about my reading [before, during, and after]
• gaining a deeper meaning of the book through writing
• learning life lessons in literature

Why do teachers think reader responses are a good idea?

• Keeping a reading journal or writing folder about my reading teaches meaning
• Independent reading and writing about books leads to reading with conviction
• Small reading group assignments bring about meaningful conversations
• Whole-class read-aloud and responding to literature leads to lifelong reading
• Every page can be a springboard for meaningful class discussions
• builds a community of readers and writers
• Sharing pages in literature circles shows high interest and understanding
• Book talks are contagious
• Homework pages are enjoyable

Back-to-School Teaching Materials | Teacher Resources for Whole Year

Save time, spark curiosity, and inspire learning with MrsQuimbyReads - teacher-approved resources that make teaching easier and learning fun!

Discover the difference at MrsQuimbyReads on Teachers Pay Teachers, where every resource is carefully crafted to bring joy, structure, and engagement to your classroom. From ready-to-use literacy lessons and cross-curricular activities to classroom management tools and parent communication forms, these resources save you time while helping your students thrive. Each product is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and make teaching easier, so you can focus on what matters most—your students’ success. Shop today and find resources that genuinely work for you!

Read what teachers say about MrsQuimbyReads teaching resources:

• “These lessons are easy to use and save me so much prep time.”

• "My students loved this book! This resource was so helpful in engaging my students with the deeper meaning of poetry."

• "An invaluable resource for the students and me. It is well-organized and helps keep the students focused. "

• 'This resource was so wonderful for my students. They were engaged and truly enjoyed the lesson!'

• "This was a great resource to use to help my students understand text features. They were able to accomplish a lot with these charts and bulletin boards."

• “My students are always engaged and excited to learn with these activities.”

• "My students loved the Biography Project! I displayed them in our lobby, and they were a big hit!"

• “I love how the resources are organized, clear, and ready to go.”

• “The materials make it simple to integrate literacy with other subjects.”

• “These activities help me differentiate for all learners without extra stress.”

• “Everything is beautifully designed and teacher-friendly.”

• “I can tell these resources were created by someone who understands the classroom.”

• “Parents and administrators are impressed with the quality and depth of the work.”

Teacher Resources for Back-to-School on Sale 

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Editable Teacher Binder | Back-to-School Sale

 

Teacher Binder at a LOW LOW price

Would you like a Teacher Binder and Weekly Lesson Planner to organize your school life?   

Stay organized all year long! 

This Editable Teacher Binder has everything you need—lesson planner, daily schedule, forms, calendars, parent letters, assessments, and even a bonus sub notebook! Fully customizable and perfect for back-to-school. 

Grab this resource for 

an exciting sale price of $6.00.  

August 26th and 27th

Yes, I want this resource! At this low price

After the sale dates, this resource will return to its original and best price of $17.99, so don't hesitate, grab yours on these sale dates at this unheard-of, lowest price ever!

Design your Weekly Lesson Planner with these bright and colorful colors and formats—14 formats for your planner and 45 cover designs.  Your editable teacher binder can be used this year and year after year without ever needing to purchase a new one!  Your teacher binder will be fun to build, as you have many covers, colors, and designs to choose from—and you can even change them whenever you like!

Brighten Your Day! Save Time! Get Organized! Stunning clip art!

Three hundred essential pages to keep your school year running smoothly!

✅ Editable & Customizable – make it work for YOUR classroom
✅ Lesson Planner – plan your week with ease
✅ Daily Schedule Templates – keep routines running smoothly
✅ Calendars & Important Forms – stay on top of dates and details
✅ Parent Letters – ready-to-use and professional
✅ Assessment Forms – track student progress with ease
✅ Bonus Substitute Teacher Notebook – stress-free sub days

This Editable Teacher Binder includes:

• Covers and Dividers for your teacher binder – 45 Designs
• Colorful spine covers for your teacher's binder
• Weekly Lesson Planner - [14 styles]
• One Weekly Lesson Planner for a 6-day rotation
• Necessary Forms for Classroom and School
• Monthly Calendars - 2 styles – one page and also a 2-page layout for your notebook
• One-page daily schedule
• Number Circles for Class # Assignments
• Monthly Newsletter Templates [just type in your news!]
• Bonus: Substitute Notebook

Forms for Important Information include:

[Keep these forms in one place and ready to use]

• One-page daily routine at a glance
• class roster
• Birthdays
• Student medical information
• Individual Student form
• IEP student form
• Small Group Lesson Form
• Guided Reading Student Snapshot form
• Guided Reading Lesson Plan
• Guided Math Lesson Form
• Writing Lesson Form
• Writing Conference form
• Guided Reading Notes (individual student)
• Parent Communication Log
• Meeting Notes
• To-Do List
• Recording sheets for grades
• Transportation Home List
• Emergency Plans - Fire Drill and Lockdown
• Seating Charts
• Labels for Tables
• Codes and Phone Extensions
• Website Log-In Form
• Behavior Forms - Think Sheet, Action Plan
• Year-at-a-Glance!

Editable Letters for Parent Communication: [These letters save time! And they are editable to place YOUR information within the letter's context.

• Back-to-School Parent Information Letter
• Parent-Teacher Conference Form
• Parent-Teacher Conference Reminder
• Field Trip Permission Slip

This Editable Teacher Binder is organized [of course] in 6 different folders. This is designed so you can find the pages you need instantly. This is all about being organized, and this teaching resource can help!

Make your beautiful, Editable Teacher Binder your own style. Everything is here for a simple click, download, and print. You can print your daily schedule or lesson planner on two sides; this is the best format for your notebook. However, these are yours to use in the way that makes you happy!

Teacher Binder Component 1 - Includes covers for the Teacher Binder, Dividers for the Schedule and Forms, and Spine covers for your notebook. You can build a teacher binder notebook or create a spiral-bound, slim weekly planner with directions included.

Teacher Binder Component 2—Weekly Lesson Planners, editable. One weekly lesson plan grid was made for a 6-day rotation if your school followed that schedule. These weekly planners are spread across your teacher's binder. They are fully editable on your computer, but you can print them out and write in the grid as you wish.

Photo Writing Prompts | "In a Nutshell" | Quick Writes

Photo Prompts for Writing Center

Daily writing practice with photograph writing prompts. Students will view and think about the photo; then, they will complete a 'quick write' with one complete sentence.

Daily photograph writing prompts are perfect to leave in students’ writing folders or in a bin in your writing center.

Photo Prompts - Quick Writes

Have you ever heard the phrase “in a nutshell”?

It means to say a lot in just a few words. Some think the best writing is the fewest words. Simple. Straight-forward. To the point! Try it! In one sentence, tell about the photograph.

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Photo Writing Prompts

Use these pages for morning seat work, or an anytime writing assignment. Each quick write shows a realistic photograph as a springboard for writing.

Writing Focus Skills are:

• developing a topic from observation
• practice writing complete sentences
• construct complete thoughts
• employ correct punctuation and capitalization
• use correct spellings in daily writing assignments
• perfecting the art of 'quick writes' with meaning and detail

There are 22 total quick writes; and also one page to add your own favorite photo. Easy to download and print.  Slideshow is also included so that you may complete some prewriting activities with the whole class. Each image is presented in the slideshow.

More Writing Resources:

Photo Talk - Task Cards for Writing Center

Portrait Photos ... I see, I think, I wonder - Writing Prompts

Photo Prompts ... In a nutshell - Quick Writes

Writing Captions for Photos - Writing Center

Graphic Organizers to Use with Photographs

Daily Schedule Cards for Classroom Management

Daily Schedule Cards for Display

86 subject/activity cards and time cards every 5 minutes. These are all you need to keep your daily schedule visual and easy to follow. Displaying a daily visual schedule can inform your students of the upcoming activities and studies and create a learning environment that shows responsibility and a good work ethic. There are 3 schedule cards to a page. Easy download and print out; place in your pocket chart.

Daily Schedule Cards for Classroom Management

Why do you need these schedule cards?

• to help your students manage their school time
• to improve study skills
• to teach good work habits
• to teach responsibility
• to increase productivity within your class community
• to allow opportunities for self-directed learners
• to give your classroom & work space an organized and professional look
• to save YOU time!

Posting a daily schedule in the classroom helps students feel focused by providing a clear structure for their day.  Transitions become smoother and students become more independent when allowed to manage their time and work pace.  A visible schedule supports independence, as students can reference a posted schedule to know what comes next without reminders from the teacher.  Posting a daily schedule benefits diverse learners, including those who thrive on routine or need extra support with organization.  A daily schedule posted in your classroom can create a calmer, more productive classroom environment for everyone.

Scheduled Daily Activities include:

•After School   *Announcements   *Arrival   *Assembly   *Art

•Bathroom Break   *Book Talk   *Breakfast   *Buddy Reading

•Calendar   *Centers    *Choice Time   *Chorus   *Circle Time       

*Class Meeting  * Class Party   *Clean Up   *Computer

•Daily Five   *Daily Geography   *DEAR   *Dismissal   *Drama

•Field Trip  *Guest Reader   *Guidance   *Guided Math   *Guided Reading   *Gym

•Health   *Independent Reading   *Indoor Recess   *Intervention   *Journals   *Language Arts

•Library   *Listening Center   *Literature Circle    *Lunch   *Math   *Math Stations

•Morning Tubs   *Morning Work   *Morning Meeting   *Music   *P.E.   *Phonics   *Poetry

*Project   *Power Write   *Quiet Time   *Read to Self   *Readers’ Workshop   *Reading

•Recess   *Restroom   *Rest Time   *RTI   *RTI Stations   *Science   *Science Centers

•Science Stations   *Show & Tell   *Snack   *Social Studies   *Spanish   *Speaker | Visitor

•Special Activity   *Spelling   *Spelling Test   *S.S.R.   *Story Time   *Swimming   *Technology

•Word Work   *Write the Room   *Writing Centers   *Writing Stations   *Writers’ Workshop

Also included are time cards to post next to each activity.

Times are every 5 minutes. Print out those times you need.

Create a bright and colorful schedule that's both useful and beautiful.

86 Schedule Cards Total

Colorful, bright art designs... easy to read, lovely to look at!   Download, print, cut, and laminate. These schedule cards are a daily visual for children and teachers.  Cards are moved easily from day to day according to your classroom routines and events.   Preview these cards HERE

Daily Schedule Cards

Daily Schedule Cards - Classroom Management

Make your classroom run smoothly with these Daily Schedule Cards—perfect for elementary teachers! For just $5.00, you can give your students the gift of structure, independence, and confidence. These colorful, easy-to-read cards help students know what’s coming next, reduce transition stress, and keep their day on track. Simple to display and even easier for students to follow, these cards are a small investment with a significant impact on classroom organization. Bring calm and clarity to your day—grab your set today!

Homework Resource for Elementary Teachers - or - Yes, or No for Homework

Homework... Yes or No?

• Yes, if it follows a lesson at school.
• Yes, if the child understands the directions.
• Yes, if it reinforces learning. Homework gives students a chance to review and practice skills taught in class, helping solidify new concepts. 
• Yes, if you design and plan homework assignments to build responsibility.  Completing homework teaches students to manage their own tasks, follow directions, and meet deadlines.
• Yes, if the purpose is to strengthen study habits.  Regular homework develops focus, persistence, and organization—skills they’ll use in higher grades.
• Yes, if you plan by design to encourage family involvement.  Homework can give parents a window into what their child is learning and ways to support them.
• Yes, because a consistent homework routine prepares for future academic demands.  Homework helps students transition smoothly to the increased workload in later grades. 

• No, if it's busy work with no alignment to school lessons.
• No, because you want to protect family time.  Afternoons might be filled with playing outside, hobbies, and just relaxing. 
• No, because no homework might reduce stress.  Students can avoid frustration and burnout after a full day of school.
• No, because the time might encourage other learning.  Children can explore personal interests, read for pleasure, or work on creative projects instead of worksheets.  
• No, not all students have access to a quiet space, supplies, or help at home.
• No, because more free time in the evening can lead to better rest, which supports focus and learning during the day.

Well, are you a YES homework teacher or a  NO homework teacher, or do you not have a choice?

When elementary teachers have to give homework because of a school or district mandate, the key is to create a thoughtful homework policy that supports learning without overwhelming students or families.  When elementary teachers believe homework for children is beneficial, the key is to create a thoughtful homework policy that supports learning without overwhelming students or families. 

Here are the main factors teachers often consider:

1.     Purpose and Learning Goals

• Make sure homework has an apparent reason—review, practice, or prepare for a lesson—not just “because it’s required.”

• Connect it directly to what students learned in class.

2.  Appropriate Time Limits

• Follow research-based guidelines: often 10 minutes per grade level per night (so ~30 minutes for Grade 3).

• Consider the total homework load if students have multiple teachers.

3.  Student Readiness & Differentiation

• Assign homework that students can do independently, without heavy parent help.

• Adjust difficulty so struggling learners aren’t discouraged and advanced learners are still challenged.

4.  Clear Instructions & Consistency

• Give simple, step-by-step directions (ideally also written down).

• Keep a predictable routine so families know what to expect.

5.  Flexibility for Family Life

• Build in occasional “homework passes” or choice boards so students can balance school with sports, music, or family events.

6.  Feedback & Follow-Up

• Check homework and use it to guide instruction, so students see it matters.

• Provide quick teacher feedback instead of just marking it “done.”

• Provide a time and place for student and parent feedback.  How is it going?  Quick, short surveys can help future homework assignments become better. 

7. Equity & Access

• Make sure all students have the materials, time, and space they need—or offer alternatives for those who don’t.

• Avoid assignments that require costly supplies or internet access unless the school provides them.

• You know your students best.  Be flexible and understanding when assigning homework.

To help you get started in the new school year, grab this homework resource to explain and prepare your students for a successful year of homework. 

Homework Strategies for Your Students

Homework Guidelines for Students

Homework Resource for Elementary Teachers

What the Teachers Are Saying about this Homework Resource

• Extremely satisfied - used with 5th Graders   ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  "We used this to help adults and children establish a homework routine. This will benefit them when they begin homework here at school and in the future. Thank you!"
• Very satisfied - used with 4th Graders  ⭐⭐

  ⭐⭐
  

  "I sent this home with students to foster conversations with caretakers about productive homework habits and homework expectations."
• Extremely Satisfied -  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  "Great product, very helpful!"

Grab this teacher resource for homework prep for only $5.00.  

This one homework assignment at the beginning of the school year will improve all future homework assignments.  Teach responsibility and good homework habits.  Engage family involvement.  Provide a thinking time for academic success.  There is also a place for a parent/guardian signature, so parents are informed about homework assignments for the school year, which will start the year with excellent communication between parent and teacher.  Perfect for a first week of school activity.

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