Juneteenth for Mazie is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
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SUMMARY
"Juneteenth for Mazie" by Floyd Cooper is a touching children's book that explores the historical significance of Juneteenth through the eyes of a young girl named Mazie. Set during the era of slavery, the story follows Mazie as she learns about the holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas. Through heartfelt conversations with her father and encounters with the community, Mazie discovers the importance of freedom and equality. With the gentle guidance of her father, Mazie comes to understand the struggles faced by enslaved people and the significance of Juneteenth in celebrating their liberation. Through evocative illustrations and lyrical text, Cooper's book captures the spirit of resilience, hope, and unity. "Juneteenth for Mazie" beautifully portrays the legacy and ongoing importance of Juneteenth, promoting understanding and fostering conversations about racial equality and justice.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Have students practice their questioning skills as you read the book.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Identifying the theme, message, or moral is an important skill that takes a lot of practice. Use this story as an opportunity to help your students with this reading strategy.
- Introduce pronouns and practice using them.
- Teach students how contractions are used.
- Explore examples of inclusion in the story.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- All Different Now by Angela Johnson
- Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome
- Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
- Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
- The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
