Watch the video and answer some of the questions with a parent, a sister, a brother, or a friend.

Discussion questions and writing prompts for Library Lion

Before listening to the story ask yourself the following questions:

1. Have you ever seen or heard of a wild animal in a library? What would happen if one walked into your classroom- maybe a zebra, a mountain goat or a lion?

2. Why do we need rules? What are some rules at home, at school, at recess, or in the library?

3. Is there ever a good reason to break the rules? Tell why or why not.

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and look for details from the text.

We can understand how a character feels by looking at the illustrations and listening to what the character says or does in a story.

4. How do the children react to the lion in the story?

5. Describe the different facial expressions of the lion or Miss Merriweather in the story. How can you tell what the librarian is feeling or thinking from the words, the illustrations, and the way the actress reads the story?

Writing prompts:

Look at the title of the book: Library Lion. This is an example of alliteration- this is the use of the same beginning consonant sound in a line or a verse. Sometimes you hear these in tongue twisters.

Beautiful Betty buys blueberry biscuits at the bakery.

Sammy saw a stinky skunk sitting on a stump.

The Library Lion loves to listen and learn at the library.

6. Try writing your own alliterative sentences about the story.

Week 3-Please watch the video below to learn how to check out an ebook from our online catalog.

Week 5-Discussion questions and writing prompts for The Snail and the Whale

Before listening to the story ask yourself the following questions:

1.The author Julia Donaldson likes to use rhymes like snail and whale. Remember- rhyming words don’t need to be spelled with the same letters at the end of the word, they just need to sound the same like cat and hat.

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and look for details from the text.

2. How do the snail and the whale help each other out in the story? What is another story where a small animal helps a much larger animal?

3. What genre is this story? Remember, a genre is a type or a kind of story. Is this a realistic story? Could it happen in real life? Is it a mystery or a fantasy or science fiction or historical fiction?

Writing prompts:

4. Draw a map of all the places where the snail and the whale travel.

5. What habitats do they visit besides the ocean? Draw some of the plants and animals that they see.

Discussion questions and writing prompts for Two Bad Ants

Before listening to the story ask yourself the following questions:

1. What does point-of-view mean? Why is it important to know who is telling the story?

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and look for details from the text.

2. Why does the queen ant want all of the crystals?

3. Why do all the other ants feel happy to go on a dangerous journey to fetch them for her?

4. Why do the two bad ants decide not to return home with the other ants?

Writing prompts:

5. When did you know the ants were in a kitchen? Describe someplace in a kitchen that could be dangerous or scary for little creatures?

Questions and writing prompts for The Sweetest Fig

Before listening to the story ask yourself the following questions:

1. Watch for the point-of-view in this story. Who is telling the story at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end?

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and look for details from the text.

2. Name some other stories you know that have magical or mysterious fruit or food that one character gives to another.

3. Why did the old woman say that the fruit was very special?

4. How is this story like other Chris Van Allsburg stories?

Writing prompts:

5. Write a list of 3-4 adjectives to describe Marcel Bibot's character.

Week 9- Questions and writing prompts for Seriously, Cinderella is So Annoying

Before listening to the story ask yourself the following questions:

1. Watch for the point-of-view in this story. Who is telling the story and how is it different from the fairy tale that we've heard before.

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and look for details from the text.

2. How does Cinderella's step-mother explain Cinderella doing all of the chores?

3. Think about what you know about the original Cinderella. What details are left out of this version of the story?

4. Does the story have the same story elements? Characters? Setting? How aout the plot? Do the same basic events happen in the story?

Writing or drawing prompts:

5. Tell one silly way that the step-mother explains how Cinderella was so annoying. (For example, squirrels like to wash clothes.)

Week 10- Questions and writing prompts for One Halloween Night

Before listening to the story ask yourself the following questions:

1. What superpower or magical power would you like to have? Why?

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and look for details from the text.

2. Floyd, Wendell, and Mona are upset at the beginning of the evening. What was going wrong for each of them on this special night?

3. How did Floyd help the other's to escape from Leona and her friends in the graveyard?

Writing or drawing prompts:

4. Write or draw about a special superpower that little Alice (Floyd's bunny sister) could use to help her brother and his friends escape from the mean girls.

5. Leona continually teases the friends using rhymes. Try writing your own rhyme about Leona Fleabish being turned into a toad.

Week 11- Learning about Point of View

Before watching the video ask yourself the following questions:

1. What do I know about point of view? Is this something used in fiction or non-fiction writing?

Questions about the video

2. When the author is talking about himself or herself they write their own thoughts and actions (1st person point of view). The author uses the pronouns I, me, and my. Think of a story or a book that uses this point of view.

3. How does the point of view change the tone or feeling of the story?

Writing or drawing prompts:

4. Try writing a story about something funny that happened to you- but pretend that you are outside of the story. (The 3rd person point of view or a narrator.) How does the story suddenly sound different?

Week 12- Celebrating Veteran's Day with the book Brave Like Me

Before watching the video ask yourself the following questions:

1. On November 11th we have a day off from school to honor our veterans. Watch this very short video about the history of Veteran's Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP40EFzPR5c

Questions about the book Brave Like Me:

2. What are some things that the military kids do to feel happy when one of their parents are away from home serving in the military?

3. All of us have to be away from people we love sometimes. What do the military moms and dads do to stay connected with their family when they are deployed on duty?

Writing or drawing prompts:

4. Our essential workers like the military, doctors, nurses, police, and fire fighters are helping us to keep everything safe and running smoothly during the shutdown for the coronavirus. Make a list or draw a picture of some other people who are essential workers who keep everything running smoothly in our community.

5. What does it mean to be brave? Bravery is not just for superheroes and fiction characters. We all have to be brave sometimes. Who do you know personally who is brave? Draw a picture of you or someone you know being brave.

Week 13- Questions about Fall Mixed Up

Before watching the video ask yourself the following questions:

1. What is your favorite season and why do you like it? What do you like about that season? The weather? The clothes? The food? The holidays? How about something special that your family does together during that season?

Questions about the book:

2. There were mix-ups about food and sports and the names of months. What were some of the other things that were completely mixed-up or just plain silly? (Can candy corn really grow in a field?)

3. Name at least 3-4 crazy things from the story that couldn't really happen to wild animals in the fall.

Writing or drawing prompts:

4. Write down the four seasons and make a list of the games or sports that you play. Or draw a picture of your favorite food to eat in each of the seasons.

5. Try to imagine writing a story like this for a different season. How could you make it funny?

Week 14- Questions and writing prompts for Those Darn Squirrels!

Before listening to the story ask yourself the following questions:

1. Think about characterization in a story. What does the person or animal or creature look like? (Physical appearance) What do they say? What do they do? How do they change throughout the story? What problems do they encounter and how do they solve them?

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and look for details from the text.

2. Give a physical description of Old Man Fookwire. What was his personality like?

3. How did the squirrels finally make peace with Old Man Fookwire? What did they do for him?

Writing or drawing prompts:

4. Create some of your own bird species and draw them. Give them silly names.

5. What are some other things the squirrels could create from all of their found treasures? Write about it or draw a picture.

Week 15- Questions and writing prompts for Stone Soup

Before listening to the story ask yourself the following questions:

1. Think about what it takes to make soup or spaghetti or a huge holiday meal? What are the ingredients that you need? What needs to be done first?

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and look for details from the text.

2. What 3 things had made the villagers suspicious or afraid of strangers?

3. What was the magic thing that happened to the villagers after they made the soup together?

4. What special activities did the people of the village do after their meal together?

Writing or drawing prompts:

5. Write out the ingredients and the directions for one of your favorite recipes. It could be grandmother's fudge or Dad's tacos. What makes this food so yummy or special for you?

Week 16- Questions and writing prompts for Night Tree

Before watching the video ask yourself the following questions:

1. What holiday traditions do you and your family do throughout the year? A tradition may include making special foods, doing different activities, singing special songs, decorating your house, wearing special clothes, or celebrating your religion together with family and friends.

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and look for details from the video.

2. What does the boy mean when he says that they drive to where the dark and the quiet begin?

3. What kind of trees are the oaks and alders and maples? How are those trees different from the family's night tree.

4. What animals do the family hope will come?

Writing or drawing prompts:

5. Why does the father turn off the lantern? Would you like to do this too? Tell why or why not.

Week 17- Questions and writing prompts for the Story Elements Powtoon

Before listening to the story ask yourself the following questions:

1. What do you know about the structure of a story or its story elements? Most all stories have the same basic parts.

Some examples of stories: picture books, short stories, chapter books, stories that you write, a play performed in a theater, movies, a story in a video online or stories that you, your friends and family tell to each other.

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and look for details from the text.

2. What are the 5 main story elements. Think of a story that you know well. Does it have all of these parts in the story?

3. The setting is tricky because it's not just where the story happens, but also when the story takes place. Think of a story that takes place in a different time period in history. The characters will think, dress, and act differently in a different time and place. Give an example of one of these stories.

4. Name the 3 parts of the plot (also called the events or the action) in a story.

Writing or drawing prompts:

5. Choose a favorite picture book that you have or that you know by heart and write down or draw the five story elements.

Week 18-Story Elements: Questions about Characterization

1. What are the 5 story elements that we learned about last week? Character, setting, ___________, ____________, and ____________.

2. Why does the author usually start a story by describing the characters or the setting?

Video Focus: Watch the video and think about the details.

3. The author may describe a character to introduce him to the reader. Maybe the author uses dialogue or talking to tell us about a character. Think of an example of both kinds of stories.

4. Remember last week's book about The 3 Little Wolves and the Big, Bad Pig. What actions does the pig do in the story to show us that he is really bad?

Writing or drawing prompts:

5. Think of a favorite book that you know well and write down the name of one of the main characters. Write or draw a physical description of the character. Think of some of the character's thoughts or feelings. How does the character change in the story?

Week 19-Story Elements: Learning about the setting in a fiction story

1.Do you remember the 5 story elements that we learned about last week? Character, __________, ___________, ____________, and ____________.

2. Why would an author start a story by describing the setting first?

Video Focus: Watch the video and think about the details.

3. Why is it important to know about the setting at the beginning of a story.

4. What are the two parts of a setting in a fiction story?

Writing or drawing prompts:

5. Think of a famous folktale that you know that has more than one setting. How does the setting help the action or the plot of the story? Draw a picture of the settings. Think about how they are similar and different.

Week 20- Questions for Story Elements: Learning about the plot or the events in a fiction story

Before reading or listening to the story think about these questions:

1. Remember the 5 story elements that we have learned about: -the characters, -the setting, -the plot (which is also called the action or events), -a problem or challenge for the main characters, and -the solution to the problem.

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and then answer these questions:

2. The video only shows a few of the events that happened in the plot. Tell about some of the other details that happened in the story.

3. Why is it important to introduce the characters and setting before the action or events of the story begin?

Writing or drawing ideas:

4. Think of a folktale or a book that you know well. Tell about or draw (in order) 4-5 events that happen in the plot.

Week 21- Questions for Mirandy and Brother Wind

Before reading or listening to the story think about these questions:

1. What would you do if you could control sunshine or lightning, or the wind or snow? This is a make-believe or imaginary story. It is a fiction story.

2. Reading Focus: Listen to and watch the story and then answer these questions:

2. Mirandy wants to win a big, delicious cake by dancing at a cakewalk. Why does she want to dance with the wind?

3. Mirandy is told how to catch the wind 4 different ways. What happens each time she tries to catch the wind?

4. The author doesn't show the reader the cakewalk. Who is Mirandy's partner at the cakewalk? What happens there?

Writing or drawing ideas:

5. This book won a Caldecott Medal for beautiful pictures. Draw a picture of the dancers at the cakewalk dance or tell why you think this book won the Caldecott Medal.

Week 22- Questions for Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest

Before reading or listening to the story think about these questions:

1. What do you know already about Coyotes? Where do they live? What do they eat? Why would a coyote be in a trickster tale? .

Reading Focus: Listen to and watch the story and then answer these questions:

2. What does the author mean when they say that Coyote had a nose for trouble?

3. How do the crows trick Coyote?

4. What does the author mean when he says that Coyote had become rude and boastful?

Drawing or writing ideas:

5. Draw a picture or write a description of a Coyote. Be sure to include the color of his fur and his tail.

Week 23- Questions about Fiction and Non-fiction (Part 1)

Before watching the video think about these questions:

1. What do you know about the difference between fiction and non-fiction? What kinds of books do you like to read? Do you like made up stories or books with facts and real information?

Listening/Reading Focus: Listen to and watch the video and then ask yourself these questions:

2. Fiction books are fake or make-believe. An author uses their imagination to think up the characters and the plot of a story. Think of a few fiction stories that you know. How did you know that they were made-up or imaginary stories?

3. Non-fiction books have facts. Facts are real information that you can prove. Non-fiction books may be about famous people, places, animals, history, or other real things. What are some non-fiction subjects that the video shows?

4. Why is it important to separate these two kinds of books in a library or a bookstore?

Writing ideas:

5. Make a list of 5-6 non-fiction subjects that you would like to learn about.

Week 24- Questions about reading fiction and non-fiction

Before watching the video ask yourself the following questions:

1. What are my favorite kind of fiction books that I have read or that someone else read to me? Why did I enjoy them so much?

2. What are some kinds of non-fiction books that I have read? What did they teach me about? Were they about wild animals or people, crafts, sports, dinosaurs or holidays?

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and look for details from the text.

2. Easy picture books are fiction books with illustrations or pictures on every page. What kind of fiction books have very few pictures or no pictures at all? (*Hint- not books for younger kids.)

Writing or drawing prompts:

5. Make a list of 2-3 of your favorite fiction books to read or draw a picture from one of those books. Remember- the purpose of fiction books is to entertain the reader.

Week 25- Questions for Horton Hatches the Egg

Before reading or listening to the story think about these questions:

1. In another story about Horton - Horton Hears a Who! we know that Horton is an elephant who is kind and caring towards others. What does it mean when someone is faithful? .

Reading Focus: Listen to and watch the story and then answer these questions:

2. How does Dr. Seuss feel about Mayzie and Horton? How are the two animals different from each other? We know they are a bird and an elephant, but how do they act differently?

3. What phrase or saying does Horton keep saying to himself throughout the story? "I meant what I said and I said what I meant....." Why is that an important part of the story?

4. When Horton travels in the cart up the mountain and into the ocean does he remind you of any other Dr. Seuss stories? Which ones?

Drawing or writing ideas:

5. Dr. Seuss only uses a few colors in this story: black white, red, pink, and pale green. Draw one of the illustrations from the story using different colors.

Week 26- Questions for That Book Woman

Before reading or listening to the story think about these questions:

1. Look at the front cover of the book. Where do you think the story takes place? When do you think the story happens? How can you tell?

Reading Focus: Listen to and watch the story and then answer these questions:

2. What is Cal's reaction to the Book Woman when she first visits his home?

3. Why does Cal say that his sister Lark does not laugh or even tease when he asks her to "teach me what it says."

4. What does it mean when Cal's dad (Pap) says that "It's written in the signs how long or short the winter stays."

Drawing or writing ideas:

5. Try thinking of all the ways that you use reading every day? How about your parents or grandparents? How does your teacher use reading every day?

Week 27- Questions for The Story of the Leprechaun

Before reading or listening to the story think about these questions:

1. What are some magical creatures from fantasy stories that have riches or gold that they hide from humans. How many can you think of?

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and then answer these questions:

2. How did the Leprechaun earn so much gold?

3. How does the Leprechaun trick Tim in the field with the sticks and the shoes?

4. Why would it be impossible to find the leprechaun's gold? How can you find the end of the rainbow?

Writing or drawing ideas:

5. If you could ask a fairy or a leprechaun or another magical creature for three wishes- what would they be?

Week 28- Questions and writing prompts for S

Before listening to the story ask yourself the following questions:

1. What are some ways that you know that spring is coming soon? Think of all the ways that springtime is different from winter.

Reading Focus: Listen to the story and look for details from the text.

2. How do we know that the two little boys in the story -King Shabazz and Tony Polito- live in the city? What are some of the things they see when they go looking for spring?

3. What do the boys find in the old empty lot that makes them think that spring is here?

4. Think about some funny expressions that people say like- "It's raining cats and dogs!" Or I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!" What are some funny sayings that you have heard?

Writing or drawing prompts:

5. Write down all the ways that you can see that springtime has come to New Mexico.