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LESSON

Kamala and Maya's Big Idea

By Meena Harris, Illustrated by Ana Ramírez González

Try one of these possible strategies in your instruction. Although we believe nearly any strategy can be tought with just about any book, these are a few highlights. Use them as a springboard for further instruction.

Book Synopsis

Kamala and Maya's Big Idea explores what can happen when children are allowed to wonder and come up with big ideas, and get the opportunity to change the world around them. The two sisters featured in this text dream of improving their neighborhood, and are challenged with persuading the adults around them to help. With determination and creativity, they are able to pull the community together to create something useful for the whole neighborhood.

Do you have a BIG IDEA? What is something you would like to change in your world? What or who would you need to get started? Writing down your ideas can help with thinking through the details before sharing with someone else.

  • Brainstorm: What would you like to create or change in your community?
  • Timeline: Think about the work needed for this project. What steps will be needed to make it happen? When would you like it completed?
  • Resources: Who or what will be needed to complete this project? How will you ask for help? How will you raise money if funding is needed?
  • Problem/Solution: Kamala and Maya did not take no for an answer. How will you get others to get involved and care about this project as much as you and your team?

When things get challenging, how will you stay encouraged to keep going?

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Ask students, “What does it mean to have a BIG IDEA?”

  • Explore the term “idea” by allowing students to share what they think it means and provide clarification as needed.
  • Growing self-awareness: Your ideas, thoughts, and wonders are important and worthy to be heard.
  • Promote and maintain a pro-social, asset-based classroom ecology: It is also important to listen to other people’s ideas critically and generously.
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Before reading, do a picture walk, ask students, “What do you notice? What do you wonder? What do you infer?” Record observations on an anchor chart as they share, or have students record independently using the Asking Questions Chart

During reading, consider your audience, what terms may need to be explained to ensure students have a full understanding?

After reading, explore the characters: What is something you would like to know about the character(s)? Is there something they did that you would have done differently?

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Ask students how or why they selected this text. Have students explain using the I-PICK process.

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Possible words: idea, courtyard, landlord, discuss, second (time), expensive, shrugged, construction, scrap lumber, measure, garage, teeter-totter, potluck, contribute, impressed, wondering

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The teaching points for this lesson were written by Shandreka Rankin.

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