My Brave Year of Firsts: Tries, Sighs, and High Fives



Last updated Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Author: Jamie Lee Curtis
Date of Publication:
ISBN: 0061441554
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2013

Synopsis: Whether Frankie's learning to ride a bike, love her first dog, make new friends (her very first twins), or help out her dad, she discovers that trying new things is how she grows—and that being brave enough to do so is what growing up is all about. (Amazon.com)

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What things have you done recently for the first time?
•  What do you think the kid on the cover is doing for the first time?

Vocabulary:
•  homonym - two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in meaning. The noun “pet” and the verb “pet” are homonyms.
•  cross - angry, annoyed, upset. He seemed to be very cross about something.
•  bug habitat - a habitat is a special place where a plant or animal lives. Just like you have a home or place to live, so do animals and plants. When we talk about an animal’s or a plant's home it is more like a neighborhood than a "house."
•  donation - a gift or a contribution to a person or organization
•  truffles - any fungi (mushrooms) that are considered a delicacy ("especially good") or special
•  tubed - rode on an inflated tube on a lake or river.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What new things would you like to try for the first time?
•  Have you done any of the "first" described in the book?
•  What are some bad firsts? Good firsts? What lessons can you learn from firsts?

Craft ideas:
•  Write some homonyms (see examples in book) and draw pictures of each one.
•  Draw yourself doing something for the first time.

*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!