Ways to Make Sunshine
Chapters 13 - 18
Chapter 13 (Saturday Market)
🗣️ Discuss
What does Ryan decide to do for the talent show?*
What do Ryan and Amanda find at the market? Why is it important?*
On page 104, Mom tells Ryan that "...those hairpins are a dime a dozen. They're not as precious as you think." What is something precious or important to you, even if you can find it anywhere?
▶️ Watch & 🛠️ Do!
In this chapter we get to see the market where Ryan's mom sells her knitting. Check out this video and start your own knitting project!
▶️ Watch
On page 99, Ryan's mom spreads an African kente cloth over her table at the market. Kente is a type of hand woven cloth from Ghana. Check out these videos about the history of kente and its meanings!
🍲 Prepare
Ryan and Amanda love to eat Elephant Ears. Check out the recipe by clicking on the image below.
Chapter 14 (Joy, Sweet Joy)
🗣️ Discuss
How has life changed for the Hart family?*
What does Ryan learn about Hannah Wilkerson?*
In this chapter we learn more about Ryan's father losing his job as a postal worker. Has anyone close to you lost or had to change jobs? What was it like making a big change like that? Did anything in your life change too?
On page 110, in line for the recycling Ryan says her mom "…looks like her mind has taken her someplace else. Her eyes are sad and I don't know what I should do or say…" Why do you think her mom is sad? What would you do or say to help her?
🔎 Investigate & 🛠️ Do!
In this chapter Ryan and her mom take their recycling to get money for their cans. A lot of other states do this. Check out the images below to find out how to recycle in Denver. For the whole guide click here.
▶️ Watch
The family cooks, makes music, and beat-boxes together in this chapter. Check out this video of a father daughter beatbox team that went viral a few years ago.
Chapter 15 (Racing Bees)
🗣️ Discuss
What do you learn about Ray after Ryan was attacked by a swarm of bees?*
Ray's name means protector. Who is someone in your family or chosen family that you feel like protects you or makes you feel safe?
🛠️ Do!
On a warm day put on your helmet and do a bike race with a family member or friend!
🔎 Investigate
Ryan is chased by bees! Normally, bees won't attack, but she accidentally throws her helmet into their hive! Check out this color guide to Colorado bees to look for this summer.
Guide-to-Colorado-Bees.pdfChapter 16 (Secret Ingredients)
🗣️ Discuss
How did Ryan get back at Ray for not letting her go bike riding with him?*
What effect did Ryan’s punishment have on her?*
What is something you do on a restful day?
Sometimes pranks can be fun and make people laugh. Other times they are not funny and make people feel upset or angry. What do you think makes a prank funny or silly and what makes one not funny or unsafe?
🍲 Prepare
Ryan makes Ray super spicy wings. Check out this recipe for Flaming Hot Buffalo Chicken Wings by clicking below. (Keep some milk handy.)
Chapter 17 (What Brothers Do)
🗣️ Discuss
What are some of the ways Ray lives up to the meaning of his name, protector?*
How did Ray use his talent to support Ryan?*
On page 134, Ryan says "Ray stops slurping and starts freestyling while I keep the beat going." Freestyling often means that a hip hop artist is coming up with rhymes off the top of their head (or making them up as they go). Can you make up a rhyme or poem right now about any subject? Also, check out more about the history of freestyle hip hop in this Article.
▶️ Watch 📣 Listen
Ryan and her family make music and beats out of things around them all the time. Music and beats can be everywhere! Check out this famous group called Stomp known for making music out of anything.
Chapter 18 (Questions)
🗣️ Discuss
Why was Ryan disappointed when she talked to the lady at the market?*
What will Ryan do in the talent show? What does this talent show?*
On page 135, Ryan's mom gives money to a man begging for change even though she has talked about not having enough money. Why do you think she gives even though she doesn't have very much?
Have you ever thought about who has lived in your house before you? If you have a new house have you imagined who will live there if your family left?
How does being an usher of the talent show suit Ryan's talent for kindness and talking to people?
🖍️ Create
The booth that Ryan's mother runs is called "Hart to Heart." It is a clever way to use their family name for the table. Use Cool Text to create a logo of your family named business!
🛠️ Do!
Make or create a gift that you could leave in your house for someone who would live there after you. Can you find a secret place to hide the gift?
Questions with an * borrowed from:
HCS Reads Program. (n.d.). Ways to Make Sunshine - Chapter Questions. https://sites.google.com/hamiltoncentral.org/hcs-reads/chapter-questions?authuser=0