Ways To Make Sunshine

Ways To Make Sunshine by Renée Watson tells the story of a young girl named Ryan Hart, who navigates through different stages of growing up across the story. While overcoming the challenges that arise with moving into a new house, maintaining relationships, and finding her own identity, Ryan learns the importance of being optimistic and finding ways to make sunshine within her daily life.

Common Core State Standard:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g. their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.

During reading:

• Cover essential vocabulary terms as they arise in the story:

  • Ancestor: a family member that you descend from

  • Bicker: arguing

  • Merchandise: goods to be bought or sold

  • Acknowledge: recognize

  • Drape: laying a fabric across something gently

• Example discussion questions to drive comprehension:

  • How does the title, Ways To Make Sunshine, connect to Ryan's actions in the story? 

    • How does Ryan "make sunshine" through her experiences?

  • What does it mean to "be who you are named to be"? 

    • Why does this line repeat in the story?

  • How does Ryan's character evolve throughout the story? 

    • How do Ryan's actions help to shape who she becomes by the end of the story?

After reading: 

• Students will be given the task of designing a symbol for Ryan's character, using evidence from the story to describe why they chose to create this symbol

Continue with the Ryan Hart series!