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Jabari Jumps
Last updated Sunday, May 25, 2025
Author: Gaia Cornwall
Date of Publication: 2017
ISBN: 0763678384
Grade Level: 1st (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2025
Synopsis:
Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He's finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he's a great jumper, so he's not scared at all. "Looks easy," says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board...
| Note to readers: |
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The schools we read at are in a desert as far as public swimming pools are concerned. The closest one is probably the downtown YMCA at 401 South Hope Street (on the other side of Interstate 110). So the kids may not have had an opportunity to learn how to swim.
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There are only 2 voices speaking in this book, Jabari and his dad. See if you can "do" their voices.
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The illustrations for this book, in watercolor and collage, are really beautiful. You could try to teach the kids collage as a craft activity, using construction and tissue paper and glue. Anyway, it's definitely worth a picture walk. There's a lot of content there for which there is no text.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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What do you think this book is about? Where do you think it takes place?
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Who here knows how to swim? if yes: where and how did you learn/ Were you scared at first? How did you get over that scaredness?
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What things do you do now that you were scared to do at first?
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The title is "Jabari Jumps." Do you think he does jump in this story? How does he feel?
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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What is Jabari going to be doing for the first time?
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How is he feeling about it? How do you know?
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Why do you think Jabari and his father squeezed each other’s hands when they were watching the other kids jump?
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How is Jabari feeling when he is at the bottom of the ladder and looks up?
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What are some of the things Jabari does that show he is feeling nervous?
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Why did his father suggest that he should take a tiny rest?
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Is it okay to take your time if you are nervous about something?
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What did Jabari’s father tell him that helped him feel less scared?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Father’s Day is Sunday, June 15, 2025. Make a greeting card for someone; father, grandfather, uncle,
etc.
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Draw a picture of something you are going to do this summer. Examples: Camping, go to the beach, take a
road trip, learn to swim?
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Draw a picture of your family. Show them helping each other.
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Make a bravery banner.
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| Special activities: |
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FINALLY, remember when there is a really hot day and you live in an apartment or house with no air
conditioning, the is a place you can go that does have AC … the LIBRARY and it's FREE.
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*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!
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