Abby Sunshine

Yesterday I read A Day With Abby Sunshine to a group of 4th graders at Visitation School. Little did I know that I would run into someone I knew in that class! A student that had been in a violin class with Renae was in the group. What a small world. It was fun to see her. I hope she tells her mom about my visit, though I forgot to tell her to send greetings to her mom. 

Have you ever been in a situation like that? You see someone you know, but it is out of context and you have to figure out who they are for a second? It feels kind of strange, and then quickly becomes cool! What was your situation like that? Where were you?

Anyway, the kids were great as I read the story. I especially enjoyed when they laughed out loud about Abby liking sticks! There is something funny about that, so I appreciate when a good audience sees the humor. They listened well and had great questions and comments afterward. The focus was writing and the writing process. One student noticed that I had chosen some interesting words. We discussed that in writing, it is a good idea to use descriptive words. Another noticed the illustration combined with photography. Really, we talked about so much.

I brought along a sheet that the students could use to generate their own story- a beginning to a story idea. 

 The center circle was where they sketched a picture of an animal they would like as the main character of their story.

 In the smaller circles going around the center, they would sketch images of what their animal might do in a day- using A Day With Abby Sunshine as a guide.

 On the lines, they jotted notes about these activities, or details important to the animal’s day. We discussed “fiction” and “non-fiction” ideas. They could choose either.

 This student chose to place her Abby Sunshine sticker on the top front of her desk. I like how this photo turned out. . .I think it captures that she is thinking about what to write, it shows her desk, paper, and an eraser handy for good writing!