Read Aloud Pick - My Words Flew Away Like Birds

My Words Flew Away Like Birds written by Debora Pearson, Illustrated by Shrija Jain

"A poetically told immigration story that fosters understanding and beautifully articulates how the desire to belong and the need for human connection are universal.

A little girl learns some words in a new language to prepare for her move to a new country. But when she, her mother and her father arrive, "all her words fly away like birds." The girl waits, and watches, and listens, trying to figure things out. Only, it's hard. Then one day the girl meets someone who needs her help. And as she makes a new friend, she finds that the new words start to come easier -- becoming her words, at last." - from Kids Can Press website

As an ESL teacher, I adore this book for a September pick. It's a great way to celebrate the various languages spoken in your classroom or community.

Step 1: Borrow this book from your library, or buy it here , at your local bookshop, (or anywhere books are sold!).

Step 2: Enjoy this sweet story for yourself, first. Reflect on how your your own practices make students who are new to your class, your school, or your country feel welcome.

Step 3: Share this story with your students during a Read Aloud.

Step 4: Book chat or Journal prompt:

• "Which emotions do you think the main character felt at different times in the story? The author never names the girl's feelings, so how do you know how she felt?" (INFERENCING! REFERENCING KEY DETAILS! YES!)

You totally get teacher-extra-credit if you teach use this opportunity to teach new vocabulary like hesitant, apprehensive, or relieved!

Young learners can draw and write about the girl's emotions in the beginning, middle, and end of the story (SEQUENCING & SUMMARIZING! OH MY!) using this FREE graphic organizer:

Character Feelings for Beginning, Middle and End of Story.pdf

Download PDF • 41KB

• "Have you ever gone to a new place, like a new school, camp, or activity? Maybe you were meeting someone new for the first time? How did you feel? What helped you feel more comfortable?" (MAKING CONNECTIONS! SEL/HUMAN SKILLS! HOORAY!)

Ask your students how if they know how to say "Hello" in another language. Keep a tally of how many languages your class can use to say "hello!" (You can even leave a comment below with your count!)

Share a video like this one with your class, and learn how to say hello in different languages. You can have students choose a new language to greet their peers with during morning meeting.