MaiStoryBook Library

MaiStoryBook: Be Strong + *I am Strong* Star Chain Craft

by MaiStoryBook

Introducing a story about showing up, speaking up, not giving up, and finding strength in unlikely places~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“Be Strong” Written by Pat Zietlow Miller, Illustrated by Jen Hill

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of “Be Strong” to start on your own reading adventure! (This is an affiliate link~ a small percentage of your purchase will go to MaiStoryBook to help create Reading Resources for your littles)

Book Synopsis and Review

Tanisha can’t climb the rock climbing wall in gym class. Her muscles are weak, and she’ll never be able to reach the top like Carla can. She just isn’t strong enough… But perhaps strength is about more than just muscles. With guidance from her dad, mom, and grandma, Tanisha learns that strength is also about showing up, speaking up, never giving up, and caring for and helping others. There are many ways to be strong~ but people are always at their strongest when they work together.

For littles who ever felt small, this is a book to inspire all readers that no matter your size (or the size of your muscles) you can be *strong.* Strength comes from within~ it comes from your actions and your care. Brimming with examples and concrete of how to show up, speak up, never give up, move forward, and make things happen ~ littles will be encouraged to follow suit, model their own actions after Tanisha’s, and use their own *strength* to help others and make the world a better place. Included in the narrative is a scene of social activism~ of Tanisha and her community coming together to make their neighborhood a safer space. This is a great conversation starter for how we can work together to create change.

Vocabulary

  • scrambles (p. 2) moving quickly with both your hands and feet
  • cot (p. 7) a small bed that you can move around easily
  • jog (p. 11) running slowly and steadily
  • accordion (p. 16) a musical instrument that has piano kets, buttons, and makes music by pushing air through it
  • flex (p. 26) to bend your arm to make your muscle pop out

Themes/ Main Ideas

  • Being *Strong* is about more than just having muscles. Strength is about perseverance, leadership, and caring.
  • We are stronger when we work together and help each other out.

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “Be Strong” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

Subscribe: MaiStoryBook Youtube Channel for more *interactive* read aloud videos!

*I am Strong* Star Chain Craftivity

There are many ways to be strong, and its important for little learners to see that they are capable of acts of strength. Sharing concrete examples of how to be *strong* and encouraging littles to recognize their acts of strength help to raise little leaders. This bookish craft inspired by the story will inspire children to exercise strength in all its forms, and celebrate how their strength can help others. Check it out below!

Materials

Directions

  • Choose a Title star from the downloadable template.
  • Title stars have two heading options “___’s Chain of Strength” or “ ____ is Strong”. Both headings come with either stars or a *Be Strong* banner at the top. They are available in black and white or color.
  • Print out the Title star
  • Print out the small stars. Make multiple copies of the small stars, cut them out, and sort them and store them in separate bins for later use as the kids complete each star of strength.
  • Give students the Title Star to cut out and fill out.
  • As they complete each act of strength, or as they are ready to complete each star, they will get a smaller star to fill out and answer the writing prompt, cut out, and add to their chain of strength.
  • Glue on the top-point of the smaller stars to the bottom of the star above
  • Complete all 8 different stars,or continue to add on using multiple of the same stars for multipleexamples of strength.
  • Watch as their chains of strength grow!

Enjoy Your *I am Strong* Star Chain Craft

  • Share your craft with friends and family to share how you are strong and use your strength to help others.
  • Share your craft with family and friends and encourage them to share what makes them strong.
  • Use the stars to inspire you to share acts of strength each day.
  • Display the crafts to remind you that you are strong, and can use your strength to help others and make the world a better place.

*~ Happy Back-to-School and I hope you are enjoying plenty of reading adventures! Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary or FaceBook , find me on TikTok, or contact me via email to share your own *I am Strong* Star Chain Crafts and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you and learn more about how you are strong!~*

Enjoy More SEL Interactive Read Alouds Here!

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*