Volunteers needed in May!   Click here to sign up.
 Site Areas: 
  HOME  
  ABOUT US  
  FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS  
  HOW TO HELP  
  NEWS  
  READING CLUBS  
Printer-friendly version   

Goodnight Hawaiian Moon



Last updated Monday, August 26, 2013

Author: Dr. Carolan
Illustrator: Joanna F. Carolan
Date of Publication: 2007
ISBN: 0971533326
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Sep. 2013

Synopsis: Children and adults will be transported to a tropical dreamland with Dr. Carolan's lyrical text and illustrations by award-winning Kauai artist, Joanna F. Carolan.

Note to readers:
•  Since it's the beginning of the school year, the Kinders will be very new to school, which could include being familiar with appropriate behavior in the classroom, instructions & making crafts. You may want to prepare some of the crafts ahead of time, such as the cutting out paper strips for the leis.
•  Make sure to familiarize yourself with the Hawaiian words. There are some pronunciations in the book.
•  Check with your Site Coordinator about the availability of a CD player to use during craft time. (Note that teachers may not want us to use the classroom equipment).
•  After you read the book, you might want to go through it again identifying the things we also have or see here in Southern California.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Where is Hawaii? What do you think it's like in Hawaii?
•  Have you ever been to Hawaii? If not, would you like to go there?
•  What are the pictures on the front cover? Is that a house?

Vocabulary:
•  some definitions of some of the Hawaiian words are in the story
•  pau - Hawaiian word for "finished"
•  paniolo - a Hawaiian cowboy
•  lei - a necklace made of flowers
•  hermit crabs (they take over abandoned shells)
•  hibiscus - state flower of Hawaii
•  nene - the state bird of Hawaii
•  gecko - a small, tropical lizard

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Which animals in the story did you like the most?
•  Do you think Hawaii is a nice place? Would you like to visit someday?
•  Is Hawaii like California? Did you notice anything in the pictures that remind you of California? Palm trees, Pacific Ocean, beaches, surfing, pets, marine animals, etc (a picture walk might be fun to review the animals & other things).

Craft ideas:
•  Make leis. See additional instructions for making leis using strips of paper the kids can draw flowers on.
•  Draw a picture of your favorite animal or one similar to those in the book & draw an outline of a grass shack around your picture.

Special activities:
•  Play "Duck, Duck, Goose". Substitute the animals with "Gecko, Gecko, Nene" or other animals in the book.
•  Play "Red Light/Green Light", but make it, "Go Paniolo, Stop Paniolo"

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!