Elementary Library

Resource & Discussion Guide

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal (E MAR) When Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela asks her father why she has so many names, she hears the story of her name and learns about her grandparents Discussion Guide ●​ All of us have a unique name. What is the story of your name? ●​ Opening pages (double spread): How long is your name? How many words are in your name? How many letters are in your name? ●​ The world is so big…(double spread): Alma has marked the different places her ancestors are from. How does knowing where her ancestors are from make her name more special? ●​ Jose was my father…(double spread): Part of Alma’s name comes from her grandfather’s name. Do names belong to only one gender? ●​ How does Alma feel about her name at the beginning of the story? How does she feel after learning more about her name? ●​ Alma’s grandfather José liked to “paint everyday life.” What does that mean? What is a part of your “everyday life” that you would like to paint? ●​ One spread shows Alma’s drawings and paintings of different animals with their names written in Spanish. Can you identify the animals’ names in English or in another language spoken in your family or community? ●​ Because of your ancestors, you are here sharing the world with all of us. What would you say to your ancestors about yourself? What would you like to ask them? ●​ If this book had no words, how would the illustrations tell the story of Alma and her name? ●​ The story ends with “I am Alma, and I have a story to tell.” What is your name? What story do you have to tell? ●​ How can we be sensitive to knowing the history of people’s names? ●​ Why is it important to take the time to learn and understand the story of someone’s name? How do you take time to learn more about others by understanding their name and their history? The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt (E DAY) When Duncan arrives at school one morning, he finds a stack of letters, one from each of his crayons, complaining about how he uses them.

Discussion Guide ●​ Why are the crayons upset? Do you think that’s a good reason? Why or why not? ●​ Which color has the best, or strongest, argument? ●​ How could Duncan have been more responsible for his crayons?

Oh No, The Aunts are Here by Adam Rex (E REX) A girl experiences a tumultuous and overwhelming visit from her aunts, but when they finally say good-bye she discovers that the uncles are on their way to visit.

Discussion Guide ●​ Before reading: This book is part of a group of children’s stories called nonsense or absurd. What do those words mean? Let’s pay attention in the book to things that are nonsensical or absurd. ●​ Cover: What do you notice? What do you think this book will be about? ●​ Endpapers: What do you notice? What clues does this design give us about the story? ●​ You don’t know what it is and you never will: How does the little girl feel about her aunts visiting? How can you tell? How do the aunts feel about the little girl? How can you tell? ●​ See the sights (page) : Make a prediction - Where do you think they are going and will the little girl like it? ●​ Look, they brought you some horses (double spread): What do you see? Watch through the rest of the book for horse stuffies! 69