A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon is a Caldecott medal of honor book that offers a valuable lesson on identity, acceptance, and being true to oneself. The simple message of the book shows students that it’s better to be yourself and others will accept you just as you are. It’s a great addition to your read aloud activities for back to school, social emotional learning and friendship activities. Take a look at some great ideas to add to your lesson plans with this children’s book.
A Bad Case Of Stripes Book Summary
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon tells the story of Camilla Cream, a little girl who loves lima beans but is afraid to admit it due to the fear of what her classmates might think. One morning, on the first day of school, she gets so nervous about what she will wear and if the other kids will like her that she realizes she is covered in rainbow stripes! Her mother calls Dr. Bumble who tells Camilla that she will be fine and to go to school.
Camilla Cream, the main character, tries to conform to what the other kids want and her condition worsens. When they say the pledge of allegiance she develops red, white and blue stripes! Her skin continues to change to different colors and when she becomes too much of a distraction the principal sends her. home. A group of doctors check her out and give her a diagnosis of a bad case of stripes.
As the news of this outrageous case of stripes gets out, the media networks and local new surround her house. All of the doctors are confused at Camilla’s case until an old woman shows up at the door with a plate of lima beans. Knowing this is one of Camilla’s favorite things, the little old lady offers them to Camilla. The wise woman knows that in order for Camilla to feel comfortable in her own skin she needs to be true to her own self and not worry about what others think of her. Camilla Cream eats the lima beans and learns a valuable lesson about the importance of embracing her true self.
David Shannon’s story, A Bad Case Of Stripes, teaches students to be true to themselves and not succumb to peer pressure.
Reading Comprehension Activities
A Bad Case Of Stripes is a great book to teach students about character traits, story elements, practice reading comprehension questions and more. Here are a few ideas to use with this story:
Story Elements Anchor Chart: Create an anchor chart with sections for characters, setting, plot, problem, and solution. As you read the story, review the character in the story and where it is taking place. Talk about the problem that Camilla Cream faces in the story and how she solves her problem. Complete the chart together with your students.
Text Connections Anchor Chart: A text connection is when a reader can relate to the story through his own life experiences, another book they have read or something going on inthe world around them. Use A Bad Case Of Stripes book to discuss text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world connections. Have students share personal connections they make with the story and complete this text-to-self-connections worksheet.
Main Idea Anchor Chart: Another comprehension strategy to work on with the book A Bad Case Of Stripes is to discuss the main idea. Help students identify the main idea of the story and supporting details with this main idea anchor chart. Discuss how Camilla’s struggle with her identity and embracing her true self is the central theme.
Retelling Pocket Chart Cards: Create pocket chart cards with key events from the story for students to sequence. Students can practice retelling the story by arranging these cards in the pocket chart in the correct order.
Describe Camilla Chart: Provide a chart for students to describe Camilla’s appearance and personality traits. Students can use these describing words as they are working on writing activities to accompany this story.
Vocabulary Words: As you are reading the story introduce new vocabulary words from the story. As students to try to use the new words in a sentence or have students write sentences using them in context.
Writing Activities
Writing Activity – Retell “A Bad Case of Stripes”: Encourage students to retell the story in their own words. Students can use the Describe Camilla anchor chart and the vocabulary words to help them with descriptive writing.
Writing Activity – Draw and Write about a Time You Were Worried: Have students use this template to illustrate and write about a time they felt worried or pressured to conform in their real life. Young children may have felt worried about fitting in at school or on a sports team. Have students write about a personal connection they have with the story.
Letter Writing – Write a Letter to Camilla: Prompt students to write letters to Camilla offering words of encouragement and advice. Have students brainstorm different ways that they can help poor Camilla Cream feel better about herself.
Social Emotional Learning Activities
Emotions Chart: Discuss the range of emotions Camilla experiences throughout the story. Create an emotions chart where students can identify and discuss their own feelings. Have students help you make a list of different things that make them feel happy, sad, mad, afraid and worried.
My Feelings Mini Book: Have students create feelings mini-books where they illustrate and write about different emotions they experience.
Math Activities
Counting Tally Marks Game and Worksheets: Practice the concept of tally marks and counting by fives with rainbow colored tally marks. These cute task cards are no prep and can be used at math centers or small groups.
Zebra Stripes Story Problems and Work Mat: Use the theme of stripes to practice subtraction story problems. Students can use the Zebra work mat and black stripes to help them solve the story problems.
Measuring Stripes with Lima Beans: Another fun math activity to use with A Bad Case Of Stripes Book is measurement. Provide lima beans as a manipulative for students to measure the length of Camilla’s stripes. Measuring stripes would be a fun activity for your math center or divide students into small groups and have them take turns measuring the different stripes.
Phonics Activities
-ing Word Endings Puzzles and Worksheet: Introduce words ending with -ing and have students complete puzzles and worksheets to practice spelling and reading them.
Craft Activity
Camilla Craft: Have students create a cute Camilla Cream craft using templates and bright colors of construction paper. This simple craft, along with students writing samples, will make a cute hallway bulletin board!
Using the read aloud “A Bad Case of Stripes” in your classroom provides a wonderful opportunity to engage students in discussions about identity, acceptance, and self-expression. Through a variety of activities spanning reading comprehension, writing, math, and social emotional learning, students can not only enjoy this engaging story but also learn valuable lessons that will help students learn the importance of being true to themselves. Your students will love this story and ask for the “lima beans’ book over and over. Embrace the colorful stripes of individuality and celebrate each student’s unique identity!
Want to try these activities in your kindergarten or first grade classroom? This resource includes everything you see in this post with reading comprehension activities, writing, math, social emotional learning and craft activities. These simple, no-prep activities will save you time and make your lesson planing easy!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, I’m Molly, the creative mind behind Firstieland. With over 35 years of experience in early childhood education, I’m your primary support for resources that will save you time and make learning feel like play. Learn more about my mission for Firstieland here.