Written by:
Doreen Cronin
Diary of a Worm
Written by:
Doreen Cronin
Illustrated by: Harry Bliss
Intended grade level: 3rd and 4th
Website Created by: Jenny Mevis
Summary
This book takes you into the life of an ordinary worm as he writes his experiences in his diary. He explains how being a worm can be challenging as well as fun. In the book you will meet spider, his best friend, his father, mother, and grandfather that teach him life lessons, and his teacher who doesn't like it when he eats his homework. During the book you will also get to learn some of worm's fears and exciting adventures. Most of all you will get to read about a worm's everyday life and how it can be similar to your own.
Author's Life
Doreen Cronin was most influenced by her father, who was always funny. Her father worked as a police officer, a very dangerous job, but he always seemed to tell the best jokes. At a young age, Doreen wanted to be just like her father and become a police officer or an FBI agent, but she did not think she was brave enough. She soon decided to go to law school. Before she got to law school her father got sick, and passed away. Soon after, she decided to write her first book because she wanted to make people laugh just like her father. It was a big hit, and she hasn't stopped writing since. For more information or to check out what other books she has written go to Doreen's website.
Stop! Before moving on, print off this worksheet and fill it out as you do the activities so you can turn it in to your teacher. Then print off this check sheet so that you can make sure that you completed everything correctly.
Pre-Reading
Activity 1: What do you know about earthworms? Write down two things you already know about earthworms on the worksheet.
Activity 2: Visit this worm website to learn more about earthworms before you read the book. Then write down three new things you learned about worms from the website on the worksheet.
Here you may start reading, but stop when you get to the page about May 8th in the book and do the activities 3 and 4.
During Reading
Activity 3: Draw a venn diagram comparing yourself and the worm. List what you have in common as well as your differences. Here is an example of a venn diagram, but you need to draw your own on the worksheet.
Activity 4: Write two facts about worms that you read about in the book that match what you found on the worm website.
Post-Reading
Activity 5 : Find two words in the book that you did not know. Then list them on the worksheet. Finally, look them up in on this internet dictionary and write the definition next to the word on the worksheet.
Activity 6: Imagine that you were the worm. Write your own diary page explaining your day in the life of a worm. What would you do, who would you meet, what would you not do? Don't forget to make an illustration for your story. If you need help view some of these examples. When you are done, tell your teacher that you are ready to share your diary with the class.
Wondering where to go next? Check out these other neat worm activities!
Other Fun Activities
Explore the anatomy of a worm.
Make your own worm.
Find out why we can't live without worms!
Quiz yourself on worm facts by getting Herman through the tunnel.
Credits:
http://www.fg-a.com/animals6.shtml
