The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear is the perfect book for your winter read aloud lessons. This story focuses on embracing the magic of believing. Follow Charles and his trusty sled, Boggan, as they journey to find the wish tree. Along the way, they discover the importance of friendship, and believing in what seems impossible.
With these engaging The Wish Tree activities and ideas, your students will developing key skills like vocabulary, writing, and cooperative play all while enhancing their reading literature skills.
Get The Wish Tree activities unit filled with low-prep ready-to-use worksheets here: The Wish Tree Activities on TPT
The Wish Tree Activities to enhance Vocabulary
This story is packed with rich descriptive language, making it a great resource for vocabulary lessons. In my lesson (avilable on TPT) I focused on words like:
- Wish
- Journey
- Frosty
- Companion
- Snowfall
- Whispered
- Meadow
- Celebrate
Encourage students to use these words in their own sentences or in a mini-story about finding their own wish tree. You could also create a class word wall to display these terms as reminders of the book’s magical journey.
Try it yourself: Santa Worksheets & Activities on TPT
The Wish Tree Activities – Writing and Discussion
- My Wish List
Ask students to write their own wish list, focusing on wishes that could help others or improve their community. This activity ties in perfectly with the book’s theme of giving and kindness. - Animal Adventures
Charles and Boggan meet many animals during their journey. Prompt students to imagine an animal they would meet on their own adventure. What help would the animal need? How could they work together? - The Magic of Believing
Encourage students to write about a time they believed in something others doubted—just like Charles believed in the wish tree. This narrative exercise helps build confidence and self-expression.
Check it out: The Wish Tree activities unit
The Wish Tree Lesson Plan Ideas
Pre-Reading Discussion
- Ask students: “What would you wish for if you found a wish tree?”
During Reading
- Pause to predict what kind of animal Charles and Boggan will meet next.
- Discuss how Charles helps each animal and how it reflects kindness and teamwork.
Post-Reading Activities
- Write your own wish and hang it on a tree – you can draw or cut out a tree to place on a bulletin board and feature your students crafts there.
With its gentle message of kindness and wonder, The Wish Tree is the perfect addition to your classroom library. If you would like to save time with low-prep read aloud activities to go along with The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear, click BELOW to purchase my The Wish Tree activities unit on TPT!
