There are two versions of Sammy's Big Dream. Both books have great utility as education resources. 

There is the storybook Sammy's Big Dream. And, there is the Read and Color Activity Book Sammy's Big Dream. They can be used independently or together.

The story is the same in each version. Here are the main differences.

The storybook is in color. The Read & Color activity book is in black in white.

The storybook contains an optional reading comprehension feature called "Predict the Chapter Titles." Predicting is a reading comprehension strategy. This is a game like feature similar to Fill in the Blanks. Readers are able to use clues from each chapter to predict, not guess, the chapter's title. The Read and Color activity book does not contain this feature.

Each version has different activities at the end of the story.
The Read and Color activity book has Sammy Sayings at the bottom of each page. The storybook does not. These sayings correspond to the main ideas or actions described in the text on each page. 

Additionally learners can color the Read and Color activity book. The coloring and Sammy Sayings offer instructors and learners:

• An opportunity to reinforce the story's primary lessons

• An additional layer of learning to increase their knowledge and understanding of lessons.

Teaching Game Plan

1. Download, read and review the FREE Trainer's Guide for the storybook Sammy's Big Dream. It details the story's main ideas:

   • Dream big and set goals

   • Plan

   • Take action. Work hard

   • Save. Saving is a great habit

   • Spend smart

   • Give wisely

2. You will also find more topics for discussion by reviewing the description of Sammy's Big Dream in the Sammy Store.

3. Whether you use the storybook or the activity book, be sure to pre-read the story before reading it to learners.

4. We use and suggest a very active and interactive style of storytelling. It is really easy to execute if you practice reading the story out loud a few times. You can watch videos of myself reading and telling the story to kids in our online Training Center.

5. Below find a couple of Menus with steps you can follow to create your own Dream Big Read experience. Pick and choose what best suits you and your audience. And, certainly feel free to be creative and include any activities you think might enhance the experience.   

Menu 1 - Sammy's Big Dream - The Story Book

1. Introduce yourself.

2. Read Sammy's Big Dream

3. Review and discuss the story

4. Have learners complete one or more of the activities at the back of the book. Feel free to copy the activities.

   • Activity: What I Learned and Hidden Message

   • Activity: What's Your Big Dream. Write and Draw

   • Activity: The Dream Big Pledge. Recite it out loud. Sign it.

   • Activity. Goal Setting. Set a savings goals

• Bonus Activity. Sing-A-Long. Teach learners Sammy's signature song: Get in the Habit. The linked web page has FREE activities specific to the song you can download.

Menu 2 - Sammy's Big Dream - The Read and Color Activity Book

1. Introduce yourself.

2. Read Sammy's Big Dream

3. Review and discuss the story

4. Have learners color Sammy's Big Dream. Have them color one page, a chapter or the whole story.

5. Review and discuss their drawings.

6. Review and discuss Sammy's Sayings at the bottom of each page.   

• Add the bonus us activity above.

• NOTE: You can have Sammy's songs playing in their background while kids are doing activities. You will find Sammy's songs on Spotify and YouTube.

If you'd like additional suggestions contact us or visit our Training Center from time to time. We will post additional teaching and training tips there.