Objective

By the end of this lesson, Jack will understand the themes of friendship and adventure in "Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley" by Aaron Blabey. He will also explore the characters and their relationship through fun activities and discussions.

Materials and Prep

• Copy of "Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley" (if available)
• Paper and colored pencils or crayons
• Space to move around for activities
• Time to read and discuss the book

Before the lesson, review the story and think about the main characters, Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley, and their friendship. Prepare to discuss what makes a good friend!

Activities

• Character Drawing: Jack can draw Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley. Encourage him to think about what colors and features represent each character and how they might look in his imagination.
• Friendship Role Play: Act out a scene from the book or create a new adventure for Pearl and Charlie. Jack can use his imagination to decide what they would do together!
• Friendship List: Have Jack write or draw five things that make a good friend. Discuss why these traits are important in real life.
• Story Time: Read the book together. Ask Jack questions about the story and the characters as you go along to keep him engaged.

Talking Points

• "What do you think makes Pearl and Charlie such good friends?"
• "Can you think of a time when you helped a friend? How did it make you feel?"
• "Why do you think it’s important to have adventures with friends?"
• "What do you like most about Pearl Barley? What about Charlie Parsley?"
• "How do you think Pearl and Charlie feel when they are together?"
• "What would you do if you were on an adventure with Pearl and Charlie?"
• "How can we be good friends like Pearl and Charlie?"