THE DAY YOU BEGIN

Name: THE DAY YOU BEGIN
Author: Jacqueline Woodson

A story that explores courage and opens a conversation with your child.

★★★★★ Loved by families

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♥ This book teaches: Courage. doing what is right even when it is hard.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: Courage is being willing to face something hard or scary, like trying to do something you’ve never done before. In short: Do good, try hard even when it’s scary. Summary: There may be times when you are somewhere, in this case, at an unfamiliar school classroom, when it seems like you are all alone. The life you left behind seems so far away. The food you eat, the language you speak, the way you play - it seems like nobody is like you. “The day you begin” is when you find out that there are some things you have in common with the other kids after all. And some things about you are unique, but that makes you all the more interesting! Lesson Objectives:

Students learn that it takes a lot of courage for classmates to come to school when they don’t speak the same language, have a different skin color, come from another country, and/or have unusual traditions. This awareness fosters respect and healthy curiosity, a willingness to get to know kids in that situation.

Guiding Questions:

Angelina is a student from another country. Look at the illustrations and describe what she looks like. Does she look anything like you?
What does Angelina eat for lunch? What do you eat for lunch?
Angelina shares about her summer. What did she do?
Can you guess what language Angelina speaks?
Do you think it’s hard to learn a new language? Why or why not?
What did Rigoberto say that surprised Angelina and made her feel better about living in a new place?
Can you describe yourself? What color is your skin? Eyes? What language do you speak? Do you have a favorite tradition in your family?
Do you have a friend who is very different from you? If you do, describe that person.
If you could learn another language, what would it be?
Have you ever had to move to a new place that was very different from where you used to live? If so, share about what was different.

🌿 Virtue Connection: Courage means acting on what is right even in the presence of fear.

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.

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Courage · Family Discussion Guide

THE DAY YOU BEGIN

by Jacqueline Woodson

Guiding Questions

Students learn that it takes a lot of courage for classmates to come to school when they don’t speak the same language, have a different skin color, come from another country, and/or have unusual traditions. This awareness fosters respect and healthy curiosity, a willingness to get to know kids in that situation.

Guiding Questions:

Angelina is a student from another country. Look at the illustrations and describe what she looks like. Does she look anything like you?
What does Angelina eat for lunch? What do you eat for lunch?
Angelina shares about her summer. What did she do?
Can you guess what language Angelina speaks?
Do you think it’s hard to learn a new language? Why or why not?
What did Rigoberto say that surprised Angelina and made her feel better about living in a new place?
Can you describe yourself? What color is your skin? Eyes? What language do you speak? Do you have a favorite tradition in your family?
Do you have a friend who is very different from you? If you do, describe that person.
If you could learn another language, what would it be?
Have you ever had to move to a new place that was very different from where you used to live? If so, share about what was different.

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THE DAY YOU BEGIN

Guiding Questions for Parents.

About the Story.

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THE DAY YOU BEGIN

Guiding Questions