Your Name is a Song
Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her name, a little girl tells her mom she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl's mother teaches her about the musicality of names from around the world on their walk through the city. Empowered by this newfound understanding, the young girl is ready to return the next day to share her knowledge with her class.
English
A Guide to Reading Aloud to Your Child
- Find a comfortable space to read together.
- Slow down and enjoy the illustrations.
- Ask and answer questions together.
- Make reading part of your routine - bedtime is a great time for reading.
- Use these prompts to encourage deeper thinking with your children: "Tell me more, why do you think that?" "How do you know that?" "Interesting, did you notice anything else?"
Phonemic Awareness
When introducing the book, share the title and notice these phonemic elements:
When introducing the book, share the title and notice these phonemic elements:
The word “Your” in the title begins with the letter Yy. This letter says /y/, like yo-yo and yogurt. Point to the letter and say the sound together: /y/, /y/, /y/. Brainstorm other words that begin with the sound /y/ with your child (yard, yellow, yeast).
Ask the children to say the word after you. Show them the cover of the book and have them read the word out loud with you as you point under each word.
Vocabulary
jig : a lively dance
bopped : to go quickly
magnificent : grand, excellent
hollered : to cry out
frowned : to show disapproval or disappointment on one’s face
Questions to Discuss
How did the girl feel on her first day of school? Why?
How did her mom convince her to go back to school?
How did you get your name? What is special about your name? How do you feel when you tell new people your name?
How did the girl feel the second day of school? Why?
Let's Play
Make your name a song! Find the letters in your name and learn the different sound
associated with that letter. Learn the song of your name and perform it for your family
and friends!
A - Drum on table with fingers
B - Tap toes 3 times
C - Stomp 1 time
D - Tap table 2 times with hands
E - Clap 3 times
F - Tap knees 2 times
G - Rub hands together
H - Stomp 2 times
I - Tap table 3 times with hands
J - Click tongue 3 times
K - Clap 1 time
L - Tap head 4 times
M - Knock on table 3 times
N - Clap 2 times
O - Tap knees 3 times
P - Tap shoulders
Q - Snap fingers 2 times
R - Tap head 4 times
S - Tap stomach 3 times
T - Rub hands together
U - Tap toes 4 times
V - Knock on table 4 times
W - Stomp 3 times
X - Click tongue 2 times
Y - Tap table 3 times with hands
Z - Snap fingers 2 times
If you liked Your Name is a Song, be sure to check out...
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Juana Martinez-Neal
Fry Bread by
Kevin Noble Maillard
Biblioburro by
Jeanette Winter
ID: your-name-is-a-song
