Title - Rani's First Day at School
Picture of the cover -
Written by - Cheryl Rao
Illustrated by - Mayur Mistry
Year, Publisher, place - 2018, Pratham Books, India
Grade level(s) - 1st-2nd
Genre - Picture Book
Theme - Feelings and Emotions
Author name and brief biography: Chatura Rao is a writer and a journalist. She has written books for children and adults and has been a columnist and a writer for many magazines and newspapers. She has won several awards for her writing, including the Children's Book Trust award and the Lavanya Sankaran Writing Fellowship.
Synopsis: Rani is excited to go to school for the first time, but she is also nervous. She is worried about making friends and fitting in. As she goes through her day at school, she learns that everyone has their own fears and insecurities and that it is okay to ask for help when you need it.
Pre-reading strategies:
- Show the cover of the book and ask students to make predictions about what the story might be about.
- Ask students if they have ever been to school before and what their first day was like.
- Introduce any new vocabulary words that may be in the story, such as "uniform" or "classroom."
- Show the students a picture of a classroom and ask them to identify different things they see.
During reading strategies:
- Ask the students to identify different emotions that Rani feels throughout the story.
- Pause periodically and ask students questions to check for understanding, such as "What do you think Rani is feeling right now?" or "Why do you think the other children are laughing?"
- Encourage students to make connections between the story and their own experiences, such as "Have you ever felt nervous like Rani?" or "Have you ever made a new friend on the first day of school?"
- Ask students to predict what might happen next in the story.
Post-reading strategies:
- Ask the students to draw a picture of their own first day of school and share it with the class.
- Have a class discussion about the different emotions that people feel when they start something new.
- Ask the students to write a letter to Rani giving her advice on making friends and feeling more comfortable at school.
- Ask students to summarize the story in their own words.
- Have students discuss how they felt during the different parts of the story, such as when Rani was nervous or when she made a new friend.
- Have students draw a picture h about their own first day of school.
Reflection:
'Rani's First Day at School' is a heartwarming story that helps children understand the different emotions that come with starting something new, especially going to school for the first time. As an educator, I appreciate how the story touches on the importance of asking for help when needed and how everyone has their own fears and insecurities. The illustrations in the book are bright and engaging, and the language used is simple and accessible for young readers. Overall, this book would be a great addition to any classroom library and a helpful tool for teachers to help their students adjust to new situations.
