Passing Notes

Notes from a Parent/Teacher to Parents and Teachers

Jul
3

By

A Must Read for any child who’s ever moved to a new place: “Augustine”

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We’ve all been there, young or old, – we’ve had to move classes, schools, neighbourhoods, cities, countries, or entire continents.  If you’re little, usually the move was not of your choosing.  Such is the case for Augustine, a lovable and artistic penguin that hails from the South Pole and eventually moves to the North Pole.

Though slightly fearful of what lays ahead, Augustine encounters a teacher who values and encourages artistic expression in her students.  Augustine realizes that she can call more than one place, “home”.

Author/ Illustrator Melanie Watt, – (well known for her Scaredy Squirrel and Chester series), – renders tender and soft illustrations that invite us to love Augustine from the get-go.  Her aptly named stuffed animal (Picasso), accompanies her throughout the move.  Watt creatively engages our background knowledge of famous painters (Renoir, Dali, Mondrian, Warhol, Harris, etc.), – by using a famous piece by each of those artists to tell the story visually alongside Augustine’s narration.

Some transition ideas for kids who have had to move

  • Have children make a Memory Jar using a large pickle or similarly-sized jar.  Children can choose what to place, (photos, trinkets, natural elements, artifacts, and so on), – from the place they have had to leave.  They can pull out their jars when in need of some home comfort.
  • Kids can write e-mails to old friends and family members.  This will keep relationships alive and hone writing skills.
  • Letter-writing has not gone the way of the dodo bird, though it would seem that way with the use of internet communication.  Your kids might enjoy writing on beautiful papers using special pens as much as emailing!
  • Families can make a “welcome package” for any newcomers to the neighbourhood.

There are many connections to art in the book.

  • Children who tend towards the “academic” can research one of the artists found in the book and/or imitate an artist’s style.
  • Kids can also design and have copied at a copy centre, their own postcards to use as communication.
  • Don’t forget to visit an art gallery, and take the time to paint, sketch, draw, sculpt…
Off to paint with my sweet M.,

Daniela

Mar
12

By

The Way Back Home

Category: Must Reads Tags: , , , , , 4 Comments

 

A knot in my throat.  That’s how I feel at the end of this picture book, each time I read it. The Way Back Home offers insights into friendship, the fear of loneliness, and the value of helping a fellow martian.  Or human.  Its author, the very talented Oliver Jeffers delivers the story beautifully in words and captures our hearts with his brilliant illustrations.

 

Want to make like a teacher and take the story further?

The story lends itself to using our “schematic knowledge” which is fancy for making connections.  Try sharing some connections you’ve made, – if any, – with your child and ask them to share any they may have.  Not everyone can connect with an event in every book they read, but who hasn’t dealt with friendship before?  Exactly, so there’ll be lots to talk about.

For children who have a hard time comprehending what they read, give them more support with the way they “make meaning” when they read.  So what you can do to help your child if understanding what they read is not their strength, is have them notice the many words in the book which are not part of the Canadian lexicon.  Because the author is Irish, you’ll find words like, torch which may have different meanings to Canadians.  So a good strategy here (or anytime they come across an unknown word) is to ask your child what they think a particular unknown word to them means by having them re-read and look around the page for clues (such as the pictures and the context of the story).  They might be able to make  a reasonable guess, if they don’t it’s helpful for you to talk about its possible meanings and check in that s/he gets it.  That way they wont “lose meaning” or understanding.

Whether, you need to use those strategies or just relax with the book in a comfy chair, I hope you enjoy the read!

Daniela