Guided Reading Activity The Chalkbox Kid Trifold Book Report

The Chalk Box Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla tells the story of Gregory, a boy adjusting to a new home, a new school, and a difficult family situation. Feeling out of place, Gregory discovers an abandoned chalk factory where he creates a secret garden with his drawings, allowing his creativity to flourish. Through his art, Gregory finds a sense of belonging and learns that self-expression can bring hope and healing.

This trifold activity is created to help students practice reading comprehension skills while providing differentiated instruction for various reading levels. This tool can be used during guided reading, as independent seat work, or within literature circles. The included writing wrap-up allows for assessing multiple skills in one cohesive project, making it an ideal, standards-aligned resource for busy teachers. Grading opportunities for reading comprehension, reading skill work, and writing are available.

What’s Included in This Resource:

• Each trifold is broken into chapters to allow for teacher skill guidance and manageable chunking for student comprehension.

• Skill Development Activities:

  • Making Connections: Encourage students to relate the story to their own lives, other texts, and the wider world.

  • Making Inferences: Help students combine text evidence with prior knowledge to draw logical conclusions.

  • Using Context Clues: Teach students to deduce the meaning of unfamiliar words using hints from the text.

  • Visualization: Support students in creating mental images of characters, events, and settings.

  • Evaluation: Develop critical thinking by analyzing characters, themes, and the author’s message.

• Writing Wrap-Up: A creative assessment tool for reflection and deeper understanding.

How This Resource Benefits Teachers:
✔ Provides differentiated instruction for diverse learners.
✔ Fosters deeper text engagement and critical thinking.
✔ Offers flexibility for grades, seat work, or group discussions.

What Teachers Are Saying:
⭐ "This resource made my guided reading groups more organized and productive!" - Rebecca T.
⭐ "Perfect for differentiation and keeping all students engaged at their level." - Larraine C.
⭐ "My students loved the activities, and it worked seamlessly in our literature circles!" - Celia N.