Principal Pick Read Alouds

Thank You, Omu!

CLICK HERE to enjoy the read-aloud.

Author, Oge Mora, brings us this beautiful story of kindness and generosity. Omu makes delicious stew that everyone in the neighborhood wants to try. Eventually, everyone receives some of Omu’s stew until there isn’t any left for herself. However, instead of being upset, Oma says it’s the best dinner she’s ever had! This a great book to discuss topics of thankfulness and gratitude.

Before Reading/Listening Ask:

Why is sharing important?

Have you ever had to share something that you didn’t want to?

During Reading Ask:

What kind of person is Omu?

How did everyone know that Omu was making stew?

How did Omu make her neighborhood feel when she shared her stew with them?

How did Omu feel when her friends shared with her too at the end of the story?

Why do you think Omu says this was the best dinner she has ever had?

After Reading Ask:

What makes Omu a great neighbor? Ask your child to think about a friend, family member, and/or community member that they are thankful for.

What are some ways that you can show gratitude?

How can you continue to show gratitude daily?

Rosie Revere, Engineer

CLICK HERE for a read aloud of Rosie Revere, Engineer.

CLICK HERE for a link to the text.

Meet Rosie Revere! A somewhat quiet girl by day but a brilliant inventor by night!

Rosie dreams of becoming a great engineer. She creates all types of things using odds and ends—if only she'd let other people see.

In this inspirational tale, we discover a great lesson surrounding the fear of failure and learn that failure only truly happens if you give up!

Before reading, ask these questions to build background knowledge:

Do you know what an engineer does? Explain that an engineer solves problems and builds things.

After reading, ask these questions:

What did Rosie and her classmates do when they “failed” at something?

How can failing be a good thing?

Craftivity: PAPER POWER

Materials: newspaper, tape

Using only newspaper and tape, help your child build

the tallest structure you can that stands up on its

own. First, brainstorm, or think about, what to build

and how. Next, build it. If your structure falls over,

think about how to fix it and try again. Keep trying—

the ceiling’s the limit! For other fun challenges and

videos of kid engineers in action, visit https://

pbskids.org/designsquad.

Our Table

CLICK HERE for a read aloud of Our Table read by author, Peter H. Reynolds, himself. (shorter version)

CLICK HERE for the read aloud with interesting facts and information as read by Peter H. Reynolds.

This story is a beautiful reminder of the need to put down our devices and reconnect.

After reading, try one of these activities:

-Technology can help us solve problems and connect us with friends and family when we can’t be together, but it can also be a distraction. Perhaps plan a family screen-free challenge for a day, a week or longer.

-The table in this story represents “a place to come together to share stories and make memories.” Draw a picture of a table you are familiar with and include the people you care about. Write a story describing a memory you have of a gathering at this table.