I was drinking my hot chai the other morning, brainstorming why I think picture books in upper grades are often considered taboo. The phrase “Ivy League pressure” kept swirling in my head. The world puts so many limits on the types of books our students “should” be reading.
Too many parents share that they are uncomfortable when their child reads graphic novels, let alone a picture book in 5th grade. But here is the truth: Reading is reading.
If we want our kids to grow up to be lifelong learners, we need to stop putting limits on what is acceptable.
In elementary school, our goal should be building the foundation for lifelong readers. Picture books provide what I call “time to think.” They allow kids to think critically without the pressure to finish a dense, 300-page novel.
I want to share a strategy I use in my classroom to help my readers AT ALL LEARNING LEVELS.
The Strategy: One Story + One Skill
I love the concept of One Story + One Skill. It is perfect for teachers (like you and me) who want impact without extra prep or overwhelming lessons. I get it—our time is precious, and I have to do those Benchmark lessons, too!
Here is how it works:
- Read one carefully chosen picture book.
- Use a simple, intentional skill to teach or reteach a standard.
You get one story, one skill, and a lot of meaningful learning packed into 10–15 minutes.
In Practice: The Big Cheese
The Big Cheese is part of Jory John’s Food Group series, and it’s both funny and full of heart. In the story, Big Cheese is proud of being “the best” at everything until a new competitor quietly outshines him. Big Cheese learns an important lesson about humility, perspective, and finding joy in participation rather than just winning.
Step 1: Read the Story Read The Big Cheese aloud with your students. As we know, picture books are a powerhouse of creativity and engagement. Encourage them to pay attention to the Cause and Effect relationships in the story.
Step 2: One Skill (Cause/Effect) After reading, have students put the key events in order and explain why each one mattered. You can do this with:
- Pictures
- Sentence strips
- A graphic organizer
Helpful Implementation Tips:
- Keep it short: 10–15 minutes of focused discussion is enough.
- Focus on one skill only: In this case, Cause and Effect relationships.
- Flexible sharing: Some students write quietly, others share aloud. Both approaches deepen comprehension.
- Repeat weekly: Using One Story + One Skill consistently builds strong reading habits.
Why This Matters
Upper elementary students are learning to think critically about texts, not just read for fun. Focusing on a single picture book and pairing it with one reading comprehension strategy allows students to practice analysis, inference, and evidence gathering without feeling overwhelmed.
As I always say, picture books might just be my number one teaching tool.
Try It This Week
Pick up a copy of The Big Cheese and implement the Cause and Effect skill. You will help your students develop stronger comprehension skills—all while enjoying a fun and engaging story.
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