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Behind every name is an important story. Whether it involves being named after a loved one or one that represents culture, names have an important meaning. Therefore, it is essential that teachers take the time to learn every name. However, there is one very important aspect of learning names: pronouncing them correctly. If names are mispronounced, students can feel disrespected or feel they are not valued members of the classroom. Luckily, the Alma and How She Got Her Name Picture Book Unit will show students how important their names are!
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela is confused about how she ended up with six names! After asking her father how someone so small ended up with a big name, she learns the significance. For instance, Sofia represents her grandmother who loved books and flowers. Esperanza represents her great-grandmother who longed to travel. Jose is her grandfather who was an artist. As Alma learns the meaning behind her name, she realizes how perfect it is for her!
Alma and How She Got Her Name Picture Book Unit
In order to teach students the cultural relevance of their names, this unit is filled with engaging resources. It can be used as part of Hispanic Heritage Month for cultural identity or to help classmates learn more about each other. No matter when it is used, students will be eager to complete the activities.
Comprehension:
In order to ensure students understand the story, they will work on comprehension strategies. For instance, students will be able to answer several questions. To dig deeper, students will also learn how their names were selected and will study their family tree. This is a great way to involve parents/guardians in the lessons! Furthermore, students will have several different graphic organizers in order to practice compare and contrast skills.
Character Education: This unit will teach students all about accepting each other for who they are. There are so many activities to show students how incredible it is to be in a classroom filled with unique individuals. For example, students will each have a piece of a puzzle. Then, they will realize how the entire puzzle comes together to represent their classroom. Furthermore, students will put together pieces of different bodies in order to show how everyone is unique. Truly, this will show students just how special their class is!
Grammar: It is so important to teach grammar standards through the reading materials in the class. Thus, this unit incorporates common and proper nouns. To gain mastery, students will read sentences and fix errors among these nouns. Additionally, students will play a two-person game where they decide if their card is a proper or common noun.
Vocabulary: In order to truly understand the story, it is important students learn new words. Therefore, a list of words is included with multiple activities. For example, students will write their own sentences using vocabulary words. Also, there is a vocabulary choice board filled with different options. Ultimately, this will help students truly learn the meaning of the words!
This picture book unit is filled with teaching the importance of cultural identity through so many reading strategies! Students will love celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month while understanding the importance of pronouncing names correctly. Additionally, it will help students realize just how important their name is!
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