Kamala and Maya's Big Idea 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
"Kamala and Maya's Big Idea" by Meena Harris tells the inspiring true story of Kamala Harris, the first woman Vice President of the United States, and her younger sister Maya Harris. The book follows the sisters as they embark on a mission to transform their community by organizing a playground in their apartment complex. Facing numerous obstacles and setbacks, Kamala and Maya work together with their friends and neighbors to gather support, raise funds, and rally the community around their cause. With determination and perseverance, they demonstrate the power of unity and grassroots activism. The book highlights the importance of standing up for what you believe in, the value of community involvement, and the potential for change even in the face of adversity. It serves as an empowering read for young readers, showcasing the impact that individuals can make when they come together with a shared vision.
 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.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Discuss the books plot and examine the problem and solution.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Teach a lesson on verb tense and have students categorize examples from the book.
- Introduce pronouns and practice using them.
- Discuss the importance of teamwork and what a good teammate looks like.
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.
- The Girl Who Thought in Pictures by Julia Finley Mosca
- Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
- Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise
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!
