Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey is one of those time-honored classics that finds its way onto many homeschool book lists. And who doesn’t like Robert McCloskey?
Winner of the 1949 Caldecott honor, Blueberries for Sal follows a little girl and her mother up a big hill in search for blueberries. But little Sal and her mother are not the only ones enjoying blueberries that day!
Suggestions
(We are suggesting a variety of activities that can be enjoyed from the smallest to your older student. As always, pick and choose what suits your family!)
- When little Sal drops her first three berries into her pail, they make a noise: kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk. Younger readers might enjoy having their own tin pail to drop three objects into and describe the noise they make.
- Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk are examples of onomatopoeia — words that imitate the sound they stand for (like moo, buzz, and baa). Make a list of several other onomatopoeia words.
- How many were eating berries on the hill that day? (Don’t forget the crows and partridges!)
- What season do you think it is? What hints are you given as to what season it might be?
- Compare and contrast Sal and little bear. What do they have in common? How are they and their actions different?
- Learn more about blueberries (see helps below).
- Make blueberry jam (easy recipe link in activities below).
- Narrate the story.
- Create an author’s page in your literature notebook for Robert McCloskey.
- Add Blueberries for Sal to your Caldecott winners notebook.
- Illustrate your favorite scene from the book.
Additional Resources
Robert McCloskey Biography
Very interesting biography, especially for young people, from Greater Dayton Public Television.
6 Ways to Get the Most From Literature-Based Studies
Other ideas for interacting with the story.
Maine Wild Blueberries
More about the fruit from the University of Maine Extension Center.
Activities
Blueberries for Sal
Before- and after-viewing activity suggestions from New Hampshire Public Television.
Robert McCloskey Exhibition
View more of his illustrations.
Activity: Compare & Contrast
Resources for comparing little Sal and little bear.
Blueberry Jam
Simple recipe from Taste of Home that will work perfectly for youngsters! No canning necessary.
Books
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
The book for those interested.
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
Another favorite by the author. You can read our review and activities for this title, as well.
A Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey
And one more favorite! Read our full review with suggested activities.
Unit Studies & Lesson Plans
Fruits & Veggies: A Unit Study
Learn more about fruits.
Maine: A Unit Study
Robert McCloskey wrote often about Maine. Learn more!
Printables & Notebooking Pages
10 Ways to Use Notebooking: #3 Literature
Notebooking ideas.
Author Notebooking Pages
Simple pages that include room for copywork, narrations, an illustration and dates of birth/death of the author, and books by the author.
Drawing & Writing Notebooking Paper {Free Download}
For narrations, copywork, and illustrating and describing your favorite scene from the book.
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