When We Were Alone 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
"When We Were Alone" by David A. Robertson is a heartfelt and tender children's book that explores the history of residential schools and the resilience of Indigenous people. The story follows a young girl who curiously asks her grandmother about her experiences and why she wears bright colors now. Through gentle storytelling and poignant illustrations, the book reveals the harsh realities of the residential school system and its impact on Indigenous culture. As the grandmother shares her memories, she also emphasizes the strength, courage, and love that helped her and others survive and maintain their cultural identity. "When We Were Alone" sensitively addresses themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the importance of remembering and honoring the past. By the end of the story, readers are left with a sense of hope and the understanding that resilience and connection to one's roots can overcome even the darkest chapters of history.
 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.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Cause and effect can be a difficult skill for students. This book is a perfect mentor text for teaching this skill.
- Practice comparing and contrasting after you read the book.
- Have students sequence the important events in the story. This is an important skill when it comes to retelling a story.
- Have students identify the point of view and discuss the benefits of the narrator.
- Teach a lesson on multiple meaning words using examples from the story.
- Lead a class discussion on the importance of individuality.
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.
- When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton
- Bowwow Powwow by Brenda J. Child
- Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman AlexieÂ
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!
