Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies! Lesson Plan
Hello, Educators!
Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to one of my all-time favorite books, "Zombies Don't Eat Veggies." This captivating story is a fantastic addition to your classroom library, and I'm about to share why. In these challenging times, fostering an appreciation for diverse literature and diving into themes of acceptance and identity is more vital than ever.
I have to tell you, when i taught reading intervention during covid, i had the most wonderful group of first graders. they loved this book more than any other book that i read to them. After the story, I asked with a bit of doubt, “Ok children, tell me. If zombies don’t eat veggies - is mo reaealllyyy a zombie?” They would laugh and say, “of course Ms. Naomi! of course he is a zombie! zombies can be different too!” During those days I even made an entire powerpoint presentation to accompany the book, as we know the students watched through microsoft teams. (oh - those were the dark days)
I did a search on teachers pay teachers and there are some products to accompany this book. Many of the products are cute and have good reviews. This book can be used to teach students about good eating habits, self acceptance, acceptance of others and learning to accept people for who they are. this book is also about being your true self, which i really love and the first graders connected with it.
first grade zombies
In the first grade, students are learning to read sound units and blends. It reminded me of a part of the story where mo blends tomatoes to trick his parents into liking veggies. then i thought that i could draw my own picture of moe with a blender, and we will call this - mo blends!
These are just four of my Mo Blends pages. I am making many more. Some of the images are already drawn, but not scanned yet. hopefully now that i am finished with a forces and motion third grade workbook, i will turn my focus to mo. normally, i would not make this sort of product because my niche is really providing ESL products, earth science, evolution and foreign languages. The reason I chose to make this product, something I normally would not make, is because zombies don’t eat veggies is also available in spanish that means I can use it to reach many in my audience.
zombies don’t eat veggies coming soon!
This product will take awhile for me to make. I have to be very careful about copyright, so each image or clip art that i use will be hand drawn by me.
"Zombies Don't Eat Veggies" centers around Mo, a zombie with a hidden passion – vegetables! While his parents are more into traditional zombie fare like brains and body parts, Mo nurtures a profound love for veggies. However, Mo faces a dilemma; he has to hide his veggie love from his parents, which leads him to question his identity and whether he truly fits in as a zombie. This story introduces students to the concept of embracing individual preferences, and it highlights the challenges some children face in hiding their true selves for fear of ridicule.
Mo's journey parallels the experiences of immigrant kids or children of immigrants. He grapples with being different from his family and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Eventually, Mo stands up for himself and, in a respectful manner, asserts, "Okay, zombies don't eat veggies. But I do. I am your son, I am Mo, and I am part of the Romero family all the same." Mo's parents embrace their son, accepting him for who he is.
Zombie restaurant - le menu
In this activity, students will calculate how much mo’s parents spent at the Graveyard Grill on date night. after all, mom and dad zombies need a break from these kids too. Students will do a simple math assignment, adding up the cost of the dead sea crab cakes and brain brews. it will be a fun activity i am sure will have them giggling. take a peek!
upcoming thoughts and ideas
In the heart of this tale lies a powerful lesson about acceptance and family bonds, and I am going to make sure that is a strong theme throughout the product as i create it. This narrative presents a wonderful opportunity to explore the significance of embracing uniqueness and fostering support within the family circle. Strength resides in our unity as a family; the Rimero family, being Hispanic zombies, brings a unique touch with their Zombie cultural foods like brains and tortillas.
This story, tailored for first graders, offers a fun way to learn a new language while celebrating diversity. Also, check out some slides below that I'm developing for the zombie-themed products. Students will have phonics worksheets covering the major blends and diagraphs. i am creating a spanish english product called ‘label the zombie’ where students will learn spanish words for body parts. there is just so much to do with this story, if only i could clone myself. I'm crafting storylines around Mo's zombie-centric Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year, and who knows, perhaps a zombie march Activity with a blend of zombies and leprechauns —stranger things have happened!
When will it be ready?
Well - if you sign up for my email list, i will email you the day that I post the product and I will set it at a 30% discount. You can sign up for my email right here on this website homepage!
Keep in Touch!
Naomi
