I use The Umbrella to teach sequencing and predicting. I also use it to compare to The Mitten and The Hat. My students like retelling the story with different voices. They also love looking at the details of the illustrations.

Students will discuss author's use of different kinds of sentences to interest a reader/listener and communicate a message. Students will explore Internet resources and information using teacher-created bookmarks/favorites and discuss the variety and types of information found as a class activity.

Directions

Take time to look at the details in the illustrations. Help the students notice that the side pictures are a story within a story and will help them predict what is going to happen next.

Lesson Extensions

The students could create a class mural of The Umbrella.

The students could act out the story using masks they create.

Related Resources
Honey...Honey...Lion! by Jan Brett
Jan Brett's website - www.janbrett.com
The Umbrella Coloring Mural -www.janbrett.com/mural_umbrella/umbrella_mural.htm
The Umbrella Masks - www.janbrett.com/umbrella_masks_main.htm
The Umbrella coloring pages - www.janbrett.com/activities_pages_artwork.htm
Rainforest - www.rainforestweb.org/Rainforest_Information/Sites_for_Kids/
Rainforest Activities - www.atozkidsstuff.com/rainforestsa.html
Rainforest Info - www.rainforestinfo.org.au/children/chlinks.htm
Kids Saving the Rainforest - www.kidssavingtherainforest.org/