Story Summary:

Ira is thrilled for his first sleepover at Reggie’s house, but he secretly worries about leaving behind his beloved teddy bear, Tah Tah. His parents encourage him to take it, while his sister insists Reggie will tease him, so Ira bravely goes without it. After a fun evening, the boys grow uneasy when Reggie starts telling a ghost story until Reggie shyly reveals his own hidden teddy bear, Foo Foo. Feeling relieved, Ira admits he misses Tah Tah, and Reggie runs next door to fetch it. By the time he returns, Ira is already drifting off, whispering a goodnight to Tah Tah and finally falling asleep with comfort and confidence. 

A rich novel study featuring comprehension, vocabulary, writing, art, drama, and word‑study activities that deepen engagement with Ira Sleeps Over and support creative student responses.

Learning Objectives

• To expose children to the pleasure and enjoyment of
• To enhance comprehension in ways other than just recall
• To expand the children's
• To help offer suggestions on ways to respond to the novel.
• To encourage creativity in children. 

Introduction Includes:

• Teacher Information
  • Teaching Objectives
  • Story Summary
  • Author Biography
  • Teacher Input Suggestions
  • Vocabulary List
  • Discussion Questions
• Student Activity Tracking Sheet   

Novel Extension Activities

• A combination full worksheets or activity cards for learning centers and students would need additional notebook or paper. 

Understanding Ira Worksheets

1. Story Web
2. Character Web
3. Responding to the story, I liked, Ira is like, etc.
4. Draw a timeline
5. Sequencing Events – sentence strips 

Ira’s Sleep Over Fun Activities

1. Brainstorming
2. Create a word search
3. Solve the crossword puzzle
4. Invent an advertisement for Ira Sleeps Over
5. Survey ten people if they have a special toy. 

Ira’s Word Study Activities

1. Words that we use for our five senses
2. Verbs
3. Plurals
4. Compound Words
5. Alphabetical Order
6. Contractions 

Ira’s Sound Activities

1. “Sl” Blend
2. Digraphs “th, wh, sh, ch”
3. Rhyming Words 

Ira’s Writing Activity Cards

1. Write a letter to the author.
2. Make up a story
3. Tell us what happens if Foo Foo and Tah Tah become real
4. Draw and write a cartoon telling the story 

Ira’s Art Activity Cards

1. Paint a picture of your favorite part of the story.
2. Paper Bag Puppets – Pattern Included
3. Draw a picture of the ghost story told
4. Draw a picture of yourself and your favorite thing
5. Make a diorama of your favorite part of the story
6. Make a collage of your favorite part of the story. 

Ira’s Drama Activity Cards

1. Retell a story or a scene pretending that Foo Foo or Tah Tah could talk
2. Using a recording device, retell Ira Sleeps Over
3. Tell the story or favorite scene with the paper bag puppets you made
4. Retell a story or spooky joke to a classmate.
5. Dramatize what would happen if Ira invited Reggie over for a second sleep over.     

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