Pigeon Suds Teacher Guide
Teacher Companion
Pigeon Suds
Instructional Guide • Social-Emotional Learning & Fine Motor Skills
Preschool / Pre-K
Lesson Overview
This lesson uses Mo Willems' hilarious book The Pigeon Needs a Bath! to address a core preschool challenge: resistance to routines and changes. Children will explore Pigeon's anxious and stubborn feelings, connect them to their own lives, and build essential fine motor skills.
Learning Goals
- • Identify and validate feelings of worry, resistance, or fear of trying something new.
- • Develop fine motor tracing, cutting, and coloring coordination.
Step 1: Read-Aloud & SEL Dialogue
As you read, stop at key moments to invite children into the Pigeon's emotional headspace. Model physical gestures (shrugging, crossing arms) to make feelings tactile.
Before Reading
Show the cover. "Pigeon looks very grumpy, and look—there are dirt clouds and flies near him! He says he doesn't need a bath. Why do you think he is saying no?"
During Reading (The Excuses)
Pause when Pigeon makes excuses (e.g., "The water is too hot! Too cold! Too deep!"). Ask: "Is Pigeon really worried about the temperature, or is he just feeling a bit scared or nervous to jump in?"
After Reading (The Big Shift)
Once Pigeon gets in, he loves it! Ask: "Pigeon spent so much time worrying, but then it was so fun! Has there ever been something you were worried to try, but then you loved it?"
Step 2: "The Worry Wash" Interactive Activity
This quick, physical SEL transition activity helps students understand that scary feelings can be "washed" away by taking a small leap of courage.
1
Hold the Worry
Ask kids to pretend to hold a dry, dusty worry in their closed hands.
2
Lather Courage
Rub hands together rapidly making friction warmth like "courage bubbles."
3
Splish Splash!
Throw hands open and wiggle fingers, declaring "I can try new things!"
Lesson: Pigeon Suds • Teacher Companion Page 1 of 2
Teacher Companion
Pigeon Suds
Activity Facilitation Guide • Individual & Center Work
Fine Motor Focus
Activity Sheet Walkthrough
1
Pigeon Feelings Worksheet (SEL & Coloring)
How to facilitate: Guide students to identify the different feelings on Pigeon's face. Discuss how he felt dirty/stubborn at first, and clean/proud at the end. Prompt students to color Pigeon's bath with favorite colors, validating that transitions can look beautiful.
2
Suds Sequence Activity (Sequencing & Cutting)
How to facilitate: Model how to safely hold and cut scissors along the dotted borders. Have children lay out the three picture cards (Dirty Pigeon, Tub Time, Squeaky Clean) before gluing. Ask them to verbally tell the story: "First, next, last!"
3
Splish Splash Tracing Sheet (Line Tracing)
How to facilitate: Encourage students to hold their crayon/pencil with a "pinch grip". Guide them slowly through the waves, jagged lines, and spirals. Have them trace the bubble paths to help the dirty Pigeon find his path to the tub.
Differentiation Strategies
For Extra Support:
- Pre-cut options: Pre-cut the cards for the Suds Sequence Activity so students only focus on matching and gluing.
- Hand-over-hand tracing: Guide students' fingers along the Splish Splash Tracing lines first to establish muscle memory.
For Extra Challenge:
- Storytelling prompt: Ask advanced students to draw an extra step or draw what kind of bath toy they would bring to Pigeon's tub!
- Trace & Label: Help students copy-write the words "WET" or "TUB" at the bottom of the tracing page.
Play-Based Sensory Center Suggestion
Create a "Save the Pigeon" Water Play Tub. Place plastic pigeons or rubber ducks in dirty muddy water (made with cocoa powder and water), then provide scrubbing toothbrushes, sponges, and a clean tub of bubbly warm water. Students scrub the birds clean while practicing story vocabulary!
Lesson: Pigeon Suds • Teacher Companion Page 2 of 2
Pigeon Feelings Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Pigeon's Splash of Feelings
Point to how Pigeon feels in the story! Then draw his bubble tub.
1. Point & Read: How is Pigeon Feeling?
😡
GRUMPY
"I don't need a bath!"
🥺
NERVOUS
"Is the water too cold?"
🥳
HAPPY
"This water is delicious!"
Look at your partner or teacher. Can you show them your silly grumpy face? Now your happy face!
2. Draw & Color: Pigeon's Bubble Tub!
Pigeon loves the water now! Draw bubble clouds, warm water waves, or a rubber duck to help him play.
Draw Bubbles and Waves inside!
Pigeon Suds Worksheet • Social-Emotional Learning
Draw with a
