Beverly Cleary
Lesson plans for Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and other books

|Biography and Background| |Dear Mr. Henshaw| |Emily's Runaway Imagination| |The Mouse and the Motorcycle| |Ramona series|

Biography and Background

The Ageless Appeal of Beverly Cleary
This 2011 article about Cleary explores why she is still popular today.

The World of Beverly Cleary
Click on the "Teacher's Resources" button for PDF files of ideas for teaching the Ramona Quimby books. Adobe Reader is required; a link to download the reader is available onsite.

Video Interview with Beverly Cleary
This interview lasts about 14 minutes. Cleary discusses her inspirations.

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
Summary, vocabulary, and discussion questions.

Dear Mr. Henshaw
Three extension activities.

Writing to Your Favorite Author
Students will create a friendly letter to an author that they like. They will write from a genuine and personal point of view, sharing details about themselves, based on questions they choose to answer. Students will ask questions of the author, using details as they explain why they have an interest in the questions they are asking. This lesson focuses on organization and idea development.

Emily's Runaway Imagination

Dear Librarian: Writing a Persuasive Letter
Students write to their school librarian, requesting that a specific text be added to the school library collection.

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

The Mouse and the Motorcycle
A variety of activities to support the book.

The Ramona series

ABCs of Ramona
Students list words in alphabetical order according to initial and second letter. Various lists of words may be used for practice; scroll to the bottom for a handout that comes with this lesson.

Ramona and her Father
This page offers links to a variety of resources: downloads, an online game, and activities.

Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary
Vocabulary and activities to go with this story.

Ramona's World
Summary, 8 discussion questions, and related titles.