Activity

K-2: Where IS This Light? Book Guide

1, 2, K

Subjects: Literacy, Music, You and Your World

Overview

This guide features pre-reading and after reading activities to go along with the inspirational book, Where IS This Light? written by New Brunswick author, Robyn Allaby. Primary students will be encouraged to find the light that lives inside of them, while learning about self-awareness, kindness, and the power of positive affirmations.

What You’ll Need

Where IS This Light? book (By: Robyn Allaby and Illustrated by: Candice Lee Smith)
1 small light source (glow stick, flashlight, battery-operated candle)
I AM Hand Tracing Printable (PDF attached)
Pencils
Crayons or Pencil Crayons

Instructions

Where Is the Light? Game (PRE-READING): Before reading the book, have students sit together in a common area in the classroom. Discuss: “What are some objects in our room that give light?” Have students share their thoughts. (Responses: lamp, Smart Board or projector, iPad, overhead lights, fish tank, etc.). Using one small light source (glowstick, battery-operated candle, flashlight, etc.) HIDE this light source around the room, as you ask students to close their eyes. Once you say, “Where Is the Light?,” students can open their eyes and try to find the light. Repeat several times. You may even try it while turning the lights off. Have students discuss if it was easier to find in the light or in the darkness, and why.

Singing (PRE-READING): Gather together as a group and discuss: Just like the game we played, today we are going to discover all kinds of light around us and INSIDE of us! Let us learn a song about a light that lives inside of us. Feel free to sing acapella, play an instrument, or find an online source for the song as you teach students the lyrics:

This Little Light of Mine (by: Harry Dixon Loes, 1920)

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Encourage students to create actions to go along with the lyrics or use rhythm instruments to play along.

READ ALOUD – Where IS This Light?: Looking at the cover, have students infer what light the little boy is looking at. Discuss: Are their different lights in the daytime and at nighttime? (Discuss natural lights of the sun, moon, and stars vs man-made lights). Teacher’s note: Encourage students to sing This Little Light of Mine each time it is mentioned in the book.

Discussion – Sharing Circle (AFTER READING): Using your one light source from the game earlier, pass the light around and have each student share one takeaway thought, idea, or favorite part from the book.

I AM Hand Tracing Activity: (AFTER READING): Using the printable provided below, have students trace their hand on the page. Within each finger and thumb, have students print five, “I am….” sentences. These can be from the book (pages 16-18), or students can create their own. Once written, have students draw their face in the middle of their handprint and colour with given colouring materials. Next, pass out a glow stick to each student. On the count of three, have students break/bend their glowstick as they say their 5 I AM sentences. As they speak their I AMs, their “light” will grow brighter!

Career Connections:

Discuss: Do you know that you can have more than one job? And more than one job that helps people find their own light? Let the students know a little more about Robyn Allaby by reading page 38. Discuss: What other jobs do people have that help people find the light that is inside of them?

Cross-Curricular Outcomes

You and Your World

K 1.1 demonstrate an understanding of themselves as unique and special.

1.1.1. demonstrate an understanding of the importance of interactions between people.

2.4.1 understand, develop, and maintain a healthy lifestyle

Literacy

GCO 1: Students will speak and listen to explore, extend, clarify, and reflect on their thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences.

GCO 2: Students will be able to communicate information and ideas effectively and clearly, and to respond personally and critically.

GCO 3: Students will be expected to select, read, and view with understanding a range of lliterature, information, media, and visual texts

GCO 8: Students will be expected to use writing and other forms of representation to explore, clarify, and reflect on their thoughts, feelings, experiences, and learnings; and to use their imaginations.

Music

GCO 2: Students will be expected to create and/or present, collaboratively, and independently, expressive products in the arts for a range of audiences and purposes.

Global Competencies

Downloads

Where IS This Light K-2 Book Guide