In The Cricket in Times Square, a cricket named Chester is trapped in a picnic basket. The picnic-goers travel on a commuter train from the Connecticut countryside to Times Square in New York City. While in the city, Chester 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.
The Cricket in Times Square Activities
Book Unit Samples
Check out this unit with these samples:
- Vocabulary Practice for Chapter 1
- Comprehension Questions for Chapter 1
- Constructed Response Question – Onomatopoeia
Teaching Idea #1 ~ Clothespin Cricket
This clothespin craft is a great way for students to begin a unit on The Cricket in Times Square. This fun activity builds interest in the story.
Teaching Idea #2 ~ Strawberry Sodas
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.
Teaching Idea #3 ~ Chinese Dinner
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.
Teaching Idea #4 ~ Audiobook
Teaching Idea #5 ~ On the Web
See the product that inspired this post.
The Cricket in Times Square Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
