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.
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.
When things get challenging, how will you stay encouraged to keep going?
Ask students, “What does it mean to have a BIG IDEA?”
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?
Ask students how or why they selected this text. Have students explain using the I-PICK process.
Possible words: idea, courtyard, landlord, discuss, second (time), expensive, shrugged, construction, scrap lumber, measure, garage, teeter-totter, potluck, contribute, impressed, wondering
The teaching points for this lesson were written by Shandreka Rankin.
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