The Cricket in Times Square tells the story of a cricket named Chester who is trapped in a picnic basket, travels on a commuter train from the Connecticut countryside, and ends up in Times Square. While in the city, he makes friends with a cat, mouse, and young boy. In this heartwarming tale, Chester charms everyone with his ability to chirp familiar songs. The whole city stops and listens as Chester performs concerts. Read this wonderful book to learn of Chester’s fate.
Fun Activities Your Students Can do with the Book
Students began the unit by creating crickets from clothespins. See more photos.
After reading about Mario and Chester’s trip to the soda shop, students made their own strawberry soda following the instructions listed in the book. Try making your own strawberry soda the way Mickey made it.
Page 38 – Mickey took a tablespoon and put a drop of strawberry syrup into it. He added a drop of cream, a squirt of soda water, and a dip of ice cream about as big as your fingernail. That is how you make a cricket’s strawberry soda. See more photos.
Having a Chinese dinner after reading about Mario’s Chinese dinner was great fun! The science lab was decorated with Chinese lanterns and fans. We ordered take-out from a local Chinese restaurant and enjoyed trying to eat with chopsticks. See more photos.
Free Samples from The Cricket in Times Square Book Unit
The Cricket in Times Square Book Unit
The Cricket in Times Square Book Unit contains graphic organizers for an interactive notebook and game activities covering vocabulary, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
