This chapter leads naturally into a science lesson about the change of the seasons. Discuss animals that hibernate during the cold winter months and how they awaken in the spring. Divide a flannel board into four sections, one for each season of the year. Give the children pieces that represent the weather, animals, insects and plants and have them place the items in the correct season. For an art project, offer stickers and calendar templates and ask children to decorate their own calendars. Encourage them to label the months and add stickers that match the seasons.
Read this chapter as a prelude to a health discussion. Use the cup of tea and Frog's bed rest as examples of what to do when someone is sick. Have children pretend to be Frog while they practice ways to use tissues properly and cough into their elbows, then pretend to be Toad while they discuss ways to comfort others while they are sick. Be sure to explain that they should not be near friends who are contagious.
Before asking two children to act out the story, prepare an old shirt by attaching six Velcro squares to one side and attach the matching sides of the squares to six very large buttons. You will need a black button, one with two holes, a slightly smaller button, a square one, a thin one and a large, thick, round, white button with four holes. As the children reenact the story, have the child with Toad's role affix the buttons to the shirt and offer it to the child with Frog's role. Discuss the different sizes, shapes and colors of the buttons. Alternatively, hold a scavenger hunt to look for hidden buttons.
Read this story and discuss ways of treating others appropriately. Ask the children how they would feel if others laughed at them and discuss ways of handling bullies and teasing. Use the story at the beginning of the school year to discuss classroom rules and explain when children should ask adults for help with classmates who are mistreating them.
With the rise of email and instant messaging, few children may write letters anymore. Use this chapter as the basis for a language arts lesson in which you discuss how letters are formatted and provide examples as a visual aid. Ask the children to write letters to their parents. This is also a good time to discuss thank-you cards or create special valentines.