When students begin a new school year, they often have a little anxiety over not knowing just what to expect. In Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes, Pete can help reassure students that there is no need to worry even if they encounter new things at school.
Quick Links
Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes Summary
Pete does lots of new things on his first day of school. He visits the library, lunchroom, and playground. Pete sings, paints, adds, and writes, but he doesn’t worry. Goodness no! He is having fun rocking in his school wherever he goes.
Read Aloud Questions
Before Reading
- Where do you think Pete is going? What makes you think that?
- Why do you think the illustrator put notes on the cover?
- What does the word “rocking” in the title mean?
During Reading
- What does it mean to worry?
- Is Pete worried?
- Where do you think Pete will go next?
After Reading
- What do you think Pete liked best about school?
- Which of the things that Pete did are you looking forward to doing at school this year?
- Do you think Pete will have a good school year? What do you think that?
Connecting Standards to Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes
Multiple Meaning Words
This story is an easy introduction to multiple-meaning words through the word “rocking.” Rocking can mean moving back and forth or from side to side, such as rocking a baby, or the action when sitting in a rocking chair. It can also mean being excited and doing your best at whatever you’re doing.
Inferencing
Within the story, there are rhyming clues as to where Pete will go next at school. Using their knowledge about the rooms within a school and the activities that happen at school, they can predict where Pete will go next.
Writing Informative Text
Pete is a fictional cat. You can ask students how he is different from a real cat. As a class, you can make a list of other animals in the cat family, such as lions, tigers, jaguars, cheetahs, panthers, and leopards. Students can choose one of these animals to research and share what they have learned by writing facts or reports.
More Fun Things to Do with Pete the Cat
If you and your students love Pete the Cat, you can visit his website. You can find a complete list of his books, songs, videos, and information about all of Pete’s friends there.
If you’re looking for more activities for this book, check out the Learning Through Literature book companion at Resource Ranch.
Resource Ranch
Rhonda is the author of Resource Ranch. Most of her classroom experience has been in early elementary. She has also taught Title I Reading, ESL, and gifted students. She is certified as a Texas teacher in grades 1-8 and as a K-12 librarian.
