If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Listening comprehension is fundamental to later reading comprehension. When children practice attending to a story and recalling details, they build the cognitive stamina and memory skills that support academic success. This beloved circular tale also introduces cause-and-effect relationships in an accessible, humorous format.

• Framework: IPC
• Unit: A Piece of Cake
• Learning area: Language Arts
• Level: Levels 1-3

Objectives

• Listen with increasing attention and focus
• Respond to the story with meaningful and relevant comments
• Remember and retell details from the story

Materials

• "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" written by Laura Joffe Numeroff
• Large cookie printouts for colouring
• Coloured pencils and crayons
• Non-toxic modelling clay
• Pictures of children's pets (requested from home in advance)

Instructions

Send a note home in advance requesting that families share a photo of their pet, or for families without pets, a drawing of a dream pet. These photos will be used during discussion to connect the story to children's lives.

Gather children in a comfortable reading area. Introduce the book by examining the cover together. Ask children to predict what might happen if they gave a mouse a cookie. Accept all predictions enthusiastically.

Read the story with expression, allowing time for children to enjoy the illustrations. Pause periodically to ask prediction questions: "What do you think the mouse will want next?" The circular structure of the story lends itself well to these ongoing predictions.

After reading, facilitate a recall discussion. Ask children to help you remember the sequence of events: "First the mouse wanted a cookie. Then what did he want?" Use the illustrations as memory supports.

Connect the story to children's lives by discussing their pets. Display the photos that came from home and invite children to imagine what their pets would want if given a special treat. This personal connection deepens engagement and comprehension.

Conclude with an art extension. Provide large cookie printouts for colouring and clay for creating three-dimensional cookies. As children work, continue discussing the story and their favourite parts.

Educator tip

Some children may not have pets at home. Be sensitive in your framing and include "dream pets" or "favourite animals" to ensure all children can participate in the discussion. The goal is personal connection, not pet ownership.

Assessment

Observe each child's attention during the reading. Note their ability to make relevant comments and predictions. Document recall of story details and sequence. Record connections children make to their own lives.

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• Birthdays are Special
• Happy Birthday, Moon
• Cake Decorating Challenge
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• Weighing In
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