Sylvester Lesson Plans, Resources, and Activities

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble Resource Set

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Summary

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

Sylvester is a young burro who enjoys collecting unusual pebbles. One rainy day, he finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. Sylvester wishes many wishes, but one wish has unexpected consequences for Sylvester. This story is an excellent anchor text for teaching several comprehension strategies, including retelling and summarizing, making predictions, and determining importance.


Watch an online read aloud of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble on Storyline Online here or listen to an audiobook on Epic here.


Teach with Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

Get everything you need to deliver meaningful reading instruction using Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
  • Comprehension Strategy Lesson Plans
  • Page by Page Guided Think Sheets
  • Text Based Reader’s Notebook Prompts
  • Word Work Lesson Plan and Activities for Three-Syllable Words
  • Interactive Vocabulary Games and Activities
  • Running Record Assessment
  • Extension Activities for Early Finishers
  • Answer Keys
  • Complete Common Core Alignment
  • and More!
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Sylvester Lesson Plans, Resources, and Activities
CCSS Alignment
TEKS Alignment
  • Determining Importance: L.3.6 RF.3.3 RF.3.4 RL.3.10 RL.3.2 RL.3.5 RL.3.6 RL.3.7 SL.3.1d SL.3.2 SL.3.3 W.3.8
  • Identifying the Author's Purpose: L.3.6 RF.3.3 RF.3.4 RL.3.10 RL.3.2 RL.3.6 SL.3.1d SL.3.2 SL.3.3 W.3.8
  • Making Predictions: L.3.6 RF.3.3 RF.3.4 RL.3.1 RL.3.10 RL.3.3 SL.3.1d SL.3.2 SL.3.3 W.3.8
  • Retelling & Summarizing: L.3.6 RF.3.3 RF.3.4 RL.3.1 RL.3.10 RL.3.4 RL.3.7 SL.3.1d SL.3.2 SL.3.3 W.3.8
  • Synthesizing: RF.3.3 RF.3.4 RL.3.1 RL.3.10 RL.3.2 RL.3.3 RL.3.4 RL.3.5 RL.3.6 RL.3.7 SL.3.1c SL.3.1d SL.3.2 SL.3.3 W.3.8
  • Visualizing: L.3.6 RF.3.3 RF.3.4 RL.3.1 RL.3.10 RL.3.7 SL.3.1d SL.3.2 SL.3.3 W.3.8
  • Word Work: RF.3.3 RF.3.4
  • Vocabulary: L.3.4a L.3.5b L.3.6
  • Determining Importance: 3.10A 3.13C 3.13E 3.13H 3.1A 3.1C 3.1D 3.1E 3.6A 3.6B 3.6E 3.6G 3.6I 3.7A 3.7B 3.7C 3.7D 3.7E 3.7F 3.7G 3.8C
  • Identifying the Author's Purpose: 3.10A 3.10B 3.10C 3.10D 3.10F 3.13C 3.13E 3.13H 3.1A 3.1C 3.1D 3.1E 3.6A 3.6B 3.6I 3.7A 3.7B 3.7C 3.7D 3.7E 3.7F 3.7G 3.8C
  • Making Predictions: 3.13C 3.13E 3.13H 3.1A 3.1C 3.1D 3.1E 3.6A 3.6B 3.6C 3.6I 3.7A 3.7B 3.7C 3.7D 3.7E 3.7F 3.7G 3.8C
  • Retelling & Summarizing: 3.13C 3.13E 3.13H 3.1A 3.1C 3.1D 3.1E 3.6A 3.6G 3.6I 3.7B 3.7C 3.7D 3.7E 3.7F 3.7G 3.8B 3.8C 3.8D
  • Synthesizing: 3.13C 3.13E 3.13H 3.1A 3.1C 3.1D 3.1E 3.6A 3.6G 3.6H 3.6I 3.7B 3.7C 3.7D 3.7E 3.7F 3.7G 3.8C 3.8D
  • Visualizing: 3.10C 3.13C 3.13E 3.13H 3.1A 3.1C 3.1D 3.1E 3.6A 3.6D 3.6E 3.6I 3.7A 3.7B 3.7C 3.7E 3.7F
  • Word Work: 3.2A(i) 3.2A(ii) 3.2A(iii) 3.2B(i) 3.2B(iv) 3.2B(v)
  • Vocabulary: 3.3A 3.3B 3.7E 3.7F

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    Sylvester and the Magic Pebble Resource Set

    Determining Importance with Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

    Sylvester Determining Importance Preview
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    The level of detail present in this story makes it a good choice for readers who are learning to determine importance. Students will need to decide which events and details are most important to remember in order to retell and identify the author’s purpose.
    Common Core Alignment:

    L.3.6 RF.3.3 RF.3.4 RL.3.10 RL.3.2 RL.3.5 RL.3.6 RL.3.7 SL.3.1d SL.3.2 SL.3.3 W.3.8
    TEKS Alignment:

    3.10A 3.13C 3.13E 3.13H 3.1A 3.1C 3.1D 3.1E 3.6A 3.6B 3.6E 3.6G 3.6I 3.7A 3.7B 3.7C 3.7D 3.7E 3.7F 3.7G 3.8C
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    Identifying the Author’s Purpose with Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

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    This book is a smart choice for readers who are learning to identify the author’s purpose. As the story unfolds, readers will need to apply clues from the text to uncover messages about being careful what you wish for and about the far-reaching impact your actions can have on other people.
    Common Core Alignment:

    L.3.6 RF.3.3 RF.3.4 RL.3.10 RL.3.2 RL.3.6 SL.3.1d SL.3.2 SL.3.3 W.3.8
    TEKS Alignment:

    3.10A 3.10B 3.10C 3.10D 3.10F 3.13C 3.13E 3.13H 3.1A 3.1C 3.1D 3.1E 3.6A 3.6B 3.6I 3.7A 3.7B 3.7C 3.7D 3.7E 3.7F 3.7G 3.8C
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    Making Predictions with Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

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    When Sylvester discovers a magic pebble, he uses it to grant himself several wishes. But, one of his wishes puts him in an unexpected predicament. Readers will enjoy identifying problems throughout this story and predicting possible solutions for Sylvester.
    Common Core Alignment:

    L.3.6 RF.3.3 RF.3.4 RL.3.1 RL.3.10 RL.3.3 SL.3.1d SL.3.2 SL.3.3 W.3.8
    TEKS Alignment:

    3.13C 3.13E 3.13H 3.1A 3.1C 3.1D 3.1E 3.6A 3.6B 3.6C 3.6I 3.7A 3.7B 3.7C 3.7D 3.7E 3.7F 3.7G 3.8C
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    Retelling and Summarizing with Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

    Sylvester Retelling Summarizing Preview
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    This book is perfect for supporting a lesson on retelling. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble has a very clear sequence of events and a limited cast of characters. Therefore, readers can focus on identifying the key events and supporting details to construct an accurate summary of this story.
    Common Core Alignment:

    L.3.6 RF.3.3 RF.3.4 RL.3.1 RL.3.10 RL.3.4 RL.3.7 SL.3.1d SL.3.2 SL.3.3 W.3.8
    TEKS Alignment:

    3.13C 3.13E 3.13H 3.1A 3.1C 3.1D 3.1E 3.6A 3.6G 3.6I 3.7B 3.7C 3.7D 3.7E 3.7F 3.7G 3.8B 3.8C 3.8D
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    Synthesizing with Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

    Sylvester Synthesizing Preview
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    This book and lesson plan are helpful resources for introducing students to the idea of synthesizing in order to fully comprehend a text. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble presents readers with rich detail, several opportunities to identify cause and effect, and multiple meaningful messages. This will require readers to identify and apply a variety of comprehension strategies to fully appreciate this story.
    Common Core Alignment:

    RF.3.3 RF.3.4 RL.3.1 RL.3.10 RL.3.2 RL.3.3 RL.3.4 RL.3.5 RL.3.6 RL.3.7 SL.3.1c SL.3.1d SL.3.2 SL.3.3 W.3.8
    TEKS Alignment:

    3.13C 3.13E 3.13H 3.1A 3.1C 3.1D 3.1E 3.6A 3.6G 3.6H 3.6I 3.7B 3.7C 3.7D 3.7E 3.7F 3.7G 3.8C 3.8D
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    Visualizing with Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

    Sylvester Visualizing Preview
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    The author of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble uses engaging, descriptive language, and the illustrator provides images that are based closely on the text. This is ideal for readers who are learning how visualizing can enhance their comprehension of a story.
    Common Core Alignment:

    L.3.6 RF.3.3 RF.3.4 RL.3.1 RL.3.10 RL.3.7 SL.3.1d SL.3.2 SL.3.3 W.3.8
    TEKS Alignment:

    3.10C 3.13C 3.13E 3.13H 3.1A 3.1C 3.1D 3.1E 3.6A 3.6D 3.6E 3.6I 3.7A 3.7B 3.7C 3.7E 3.7F
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    Sylvester and the Magic Pebble Extension Activity

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    The BookPagez extension activities are a great way to push student engagement beyond the pages of the text. Try using this activity with early finishers, with students who show a deeper connection with the text, or as a center activity.
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    Sylvester and the Magic Pebble Running Record

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    Use this "done for you" Running Record to assess oral reading fluency of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Track meaning, structure, and visual accuracy using the first 100 words of the text to determine whether or not this book is a good fit for the readers in your classroom.
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    Sylvester and the Magic Pebble Common Core Aligned Comprehension Assessment

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    Use this Common Core aligned comprehension assessment to evaluate students' comprehension of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.
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    Student Resources in Spanish

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    This set of Spanish student facing resources includes comprehension strategy practice pages, reader's notebook prompts (complete with Spanish Common Core "I Can" statements), and extension activities for use with Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig. These resources are intended to be used with the lesson plans included in the Super Pack for this book.
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    Sylvester and the Magic Pebble Word Work - Three-Syllable Words

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    Make classroom reading time even more productive by using Sylvester and the Magic Pebble to teach word study. This book is an excellent resource for teaching a phonics lesson about three-syllable words. To access these classroom-ready lesson plans, interactive games and fun worksheets, download this individual Word Work package or look for them in your Super Pack.
    Common Core Alignment:

    RF.3.3 RF.3.4
    TEKS Alignment:

    3.2A(i) 3.2A(ii) 3.2A(iii) 3.2B(i) 3.2B(iv) 3.2B(v)
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    Sylvester and the Magic Pebble Vocabulary Connections

    Sylvester Vocabulary Connections Preview
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    Are your students familiar with new vocabulary used in Sylvester and the Magic Pebble? Download this Vocabulary Builder for fun resources and activities that support Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary growth. If you download this book’s Super Pack, these resources are all included.
    Common Core Alignment:

    L.3.4a L.3.5b L.3.6
    TEKS Alignment:

    3.3A 3.3B 3.7E 3.7F
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    TEKS Alignment

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    Complete TEKS alignment for all of the mini lessons, resources, and activities in the Sylvester and the Magic Pebble Resource Set.
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