Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn At Home #7

"Miss Rumphius" 

Read Aloud, Write a Post Card and Journal about Leaving Your Mark/ Making the World a More Beautiful Place

Hi, my friends!  

Our fantastic Community Volunteer is featured today.  We are so excited to hear Mrs. Karam read aloud a book for us that shines with unique illustrations and beautiful messages.  It's one of my favorites.  Special thank you to Mrs. Karam for taking the time to put this read aloud together.  Be sure to notice the framed print on the wall to the right of Mrs. Karam; it connects to the story so nicely.  The main character in this story is Miss Rumphius.  The book is both written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney.

Miss Rumphius travels far and wide in search of a way to leave her legacy to the world.  She does find a way to make the world a more beautiful place thanks to a certain type of flower.  Mrs. Karam wants to share her connection to the story, as she too, enjoys working in her garden just like the main character you are about to meet.

Enjoy listening to the travels of Miss Rumphius.  Tell someone in your family what you think the theme of the story is.  What lesson does the author want you to take away?  Here is Mrs. Karam in one of her many travels just like Miss Rumphius.  She is hiking the Pacific Coast Trail in the state of California.  Click HERE to listen to Mrs. Karam read our story.

Pack Your Bags and Write a Postcard!

After listening to this story we know two things.  Miss Rumphius traveled near and far and took the time to appreciate what was around her.  The setting of this story appears to change on every page.  I'd like you to pretend that you are traveling.  Pick a place.  It can be to a place you have traveled to OR a place you would like to visit.  It can be near like the park or a place far away like Antarctica!

Write a postcard to someone about what you see.  What sights do you take in?  What do you hear?  What do you smell?  You can even design your own stamp in the upper right hand corner that resembles your place too.  On the back draw the scenery you see.  You don't need a printer at home to do this; just draw a postcard like the picture below.  If you want to, though, print out my postcard by clicking HERE.  

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #7 

After reading and listening to "Miss Rumphius," write about what you think you can do to make the world a better place.  You may be young, but there are so many simple things you can do around your house these days to make someone smile.  Imagine that you are now 20 or more years older.  What do you see yourself doing to leave your mark like Miss Rumphius? We can't wait to hear what you have to say.  Your thoughts are important.  They matter.  Thank you again, Mrs. Karam!

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  There's a spot for an illustration, too.  Thank you, Mrs. Karam!

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn at Home #6

"The Word Collector" 

Read Aloud, Make Your Own Word Collection  and Journal

Hi, my friends!  We have my student guest teacher Ms. Cipoletti back for another guest read aloud.  She has picked one of her favorites-- The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds.  This book celebrates the power of words.  Words that are fun to say.  Words that describe who you are.  Words that spark your imagination.  Words you have around your house.  Words that you come across in your books. Words, words, words in general!  After listening to this book, you can start to put together a word collection of your own.  Ms. Cipoletti will give you some ideas on how to find words after she reads you the book.  Enjoy listening to Jerome (the main character) teach you about the power words have.  Click  HERE to listen to the story.

Build Your Word Collection!

To get started on a word collection of your own, the possibilities are endless!  You can print out the activity I have prepared by clicking HERE.  All you need to do is search for words and put them on the blank slips of paper.  Of course, you can get a piece of paper, cut up slips and make a collection of our own.  You can even use a notebook to start a word collection.

You can even upload a picture of you with a special word to the official Word Collector Website by clicking HERE.  Share your word with the world!

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #6 

After reading and listening to "The Word Collector," write about words.  What words are unfamiliar to you?  What words are challenging?  What words do you think are fun to say?  What words can you find in your kitchen, book or games?  We can't wait to hear them.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  There's a spot for an illustration, too.  Get ready to hear from our Salem Community Volunteer, Mrs. Karam.  She is getting ready for your next activity.  It's going to be a good one.  Thank you, Ms. Cipoletti.  Thank you, Mrs. Karam!

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn At Home #5

"Grandfather's Journey" 

Read Aloud, Now and Long Ago Interview & Journal

Happy Friday!  

Today, we tried a Zoom conference call.  Boy, was it exciting to see so many smiling children-- and two of my teacher besties-- again.  We even saw some parents, siblings and pets.  One cat fell asleep.  I guess not everyone was entertained?  Our principal even made a guest appearance.   I did a silly read aloud and another teacher lead us through an open-ended math problem.  It felt good to do this.  It felt like school again for the first time in two weeks.  

The book I have to share with you is both written and illustrated by Allen Say.  It's titled "Grandfather's Journey."  It's about Mr. Say's grandfather's story.  Both the author and his grandfather love their homeland Japan as well as their second home, America (California, in particular).  After you listen to me read aloud this story, I have a project where you can have the chance to hear a story of a grandparent or older member of your family by making a phone call.  It's perfect for this time when people older than us are staying home in order to keep safe and healthy.  Click HERE to watch me read aloud "Grandfather's Journey."

Be a Journalist and Interview a Member of Your Family a LOT Older Than You

Call or FaceTime a member of your family.  This person could be a grandparent, older neighbor or friend of the family--anyone older than you are.  ASK the question and RECORD your answers in the Now and Long Ago book I put together.  Just like the author, Allen Say, you can start thinking about your own family's history.  How cool?  You will be doing very important work!  

There are two versions of the book.  One has the "dotted" lines and the other has "regular" lines.  Pick the one that will help you write the neatest.  Click HERE to get the books.  Feel free to send me pictures of your books.  I'd love to hear the history you have recorded.

             

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #5 

After reading and listening to "Grandfather's Journey," write about if you have a home away from home, too.  Maybe you live in two households? Maybe you or your family were born in another country and miss it when you are not there like the grandfather in the story?  You can even write about a country you'd like to visit because your family has roots there.  For example, Mr. Giso would love to get to visit Italy someday because that's where his family is from.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  There's a spot for an illustration, too.  Have a great day.

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn at Home #4

"Maybe: A Story About the Endless Potential in All of Us" 

Read Aloud and Journal

Happy Wednesday.  Today, we have a special read aloud and journal prompt put together by Ms. Cipoletti.  She's our guest student teacher from Salem State University.  Ms.  Cipoletti picked a book that was new to me.  I loved hearing it.  The illustrations are very different, too.  She does such a good job making sure that we have time to enjoy the illustrations.  Miss Cipoletti is also reading the "Little LuLu" series by Judith Viorst. I love these book so much.  There are now 4 published.  (Many of you read these with me).  They are a great read aloud for children and adults of any age.  Children in second grade and up can even work on reading them independently.

This book really is important because of its message.  Maybe is written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Gabriella Barouch.  It explains how all of us (big adults and small children) have lots of possibilities out there.  We can be anything and do anything.  I learned that no matter how young or how old you are, we never know what new things can come our way.  I have been thinking what possibilities are out there for me?

Click HERE to watch and to listen to Ms. Cipoletti read aloud this book. In the beginning, she will tell you an idea for a writing about reading--perfect for a journal.  I will explain what you can write, below too.

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #4 (Brought to you by Ms. Cipoletti)

After reading and listening to Maybe, write down what are your dreams.  You are important to us!  What makes you important?  Anyone can email me your journal, and I will make sure to send it to Ms. Cipoletti so she can hear your answers.  We love and miss you.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  There's a spot for an illustration, too.  Have a great day.

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn At Home #3

What's a Memory?  Read Aloud and Scavenger Hunt

Good afternoon, all.  I'm hoping that you have had a happy and healthy weekend.  I've been enjoying all the email I've been getting.  It really puts me in a good mood to keep hearing from students old and new.  A lot of you want to know what I've been doing, since I can't be with you each day.  Teachers are still very busy having lots of video conferences with each other.  We are planning activities to send out and making sure we are reaching out to you.  In addition to that, I have been doing lots of cooking, cleaning and extra long walks with Velma and Winston.  Here is what I made for dinner yesterday--chicken piccata.  Well, it was actually "turkey" piccata because there was no chicken left in the supermarket.  Yummy!

Here is what cleaning in my living room was like this weekend.  I took off the couch cushions, vacuumed them, washed my comfy blankets and dusted lots of things.  Thank you mom and dad who helped buy me my favorite, orange (of course) couch.

Also, here is Velma and Winston on a walk.  They are doing what they do best.  Smelling. EVERYTHING.  Every. Chance. They. GET! I'm over the smelling, but am being patient because that's how they learn about their worlds.

Lots of you enjoyed my reading to you on Facebook, so I have another read aloud and an activity you can do at home.  The book is written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Julie Vivas. Mem Fox is a professor who teaches children's literature (just like me).  She's from Australia (not like me).  Watch me read aloud her book Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge.  You can do that by clicking HERE.

 

After listening to the book, you can go around your house and hunt for things that spark your memory.  I prepared a list of things to gather around your home, just like Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge did to help Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt's memory.  You can use the picture below for your hunt or get a print out of the hunt by clicking HERE.  Special shout out to Mr. Gonzalez @teaching3rdwithmrg on Instagram for the idea of sharing memories that made me think of this book.  Have fun searching for memories!  Let me know what you come up with.  You can even put in a comment here, below this post.  There is a free spot on the hunt, so maybe you can challenge someone to get three in-a-row with you?

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #3

After reading listening to Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, write down what you would say if you had to teach someone younger than you what a "memory" is.  How would you do it?  What would you say?  Any examples you would want to include?

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  There's a spot for an illustration, too.  Let's have a great week.  I'm going to work some mathematics things you can do and a race you can have at home to teach you about evaporation.  Stay tuned...

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn At Home #2

Read About the Coronavirus

Thank you to Manuela Molina Cruz @mindhart.kids on Instagram for publishing this book for young children.  I have special permission to share this book with you.  It explains what the virus is, what it does to you and how each of us can do our part to help it from spreading.  There's a page where you can draw how the Coronavirus is making you feel which is a great outlet for children and a resourceful starting point for family discussions.

You can view or print the Coronavirus book by Manuela Molina Cruz by clicking HERE.

                                               

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #2

After reading about the Coronavirus, you may have some things that are easier to write and draw than talk about.  In your journal, use a page to write down what comes to your mind.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE.