Literacy Lessons for Little Learners: Protecting Our Planet with We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

April is Earth Month, a time to reflect on the importance of protecting our planet and the natural resources we rely on every day. At the Early Excellence Project, we believe that books can empower young readers to become environmental stewards by helping them understand their connection to nature and their responsibility to care for it.

This month, we’re featuring We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, with breathtaking illustrations by Michaela Goade. This powerful story introduces children to environmental stewardship, Indigenous traditions, and the importance of protecting our water.

Through poetic language and vibrant artwork, this award-winning book helps little learners understand that water is sacred and that even young people can be leaders in protecting the earth. During Earth Month, it’s the perfect book to spark conversations about how we care for our environment and take action to ensure a healthier planet for future generations.

In this post, we’ll explore literacy lessons to help your child connect with the story while building key reading and comprehension skills.

Introducing the Story: Why Water Matters

We Are Water Protectors follows a young Indigenous girl as she learns about the importance of water and the threats posed by environmental harm. The book invites children to think about water’s role in their daily lives and what they can do to help protect it.

This story is a wonderful way to introduce conversations about environmental awareness, pollution, and the importance of conservation—topics that are especially relevant during Earth Month.

Start with These Questions:

• Why is water important?

• Where do we find water in nature?

• How do we use water every day?

• What do you think it means to be a “water protector”?

• Why do we need to take care of our planet?

These questions help children activate prior knowledge and make personal connections to the story before reading.

Building Vocabulary Through Nature and Activism

The language in We Are Water Protectors introduces young readers to powerful words related to the environment, Indigenous culture, and activism.

Try These Vocabulary Activities:

• Word Hunt – As you read, point out new words like "protect," "sacred," "pollution," and "stewardship." Explain their meanings in simple terms.

• Act It Out – Have your child act out words like "flow" (moving like a river) or "stand" (standing strong like a protector).

• Nature Walk – Take a walk and identify elements from the book in real life, like rivers, lakes, or even rain puddles. Discuss why they’re important and how we can keep them clean.

These activities help children build language skills while deepening their understanding of the book’s themes and their role in protecting the environment.

Exploring Story Themes: Protecting the Earth

This book introduces children to activism in a way they can understand—by showing how even small actions can make a difference. Earth Month is the perfect time to discuss ways we can all take care of the planet, from conserving water to reducing waste.

Discussion Questions:

• What does the main character want to protect?

• How does she feel about the water?

• Why do you think she wants to stop the "black snake" (a metaphor for oil pipelines)?

• How can we take care of the water in our community?

• What are some ways we can protect the earth during Earth Month and beyond?

Connecting the story to your child’s world helps them see that they, too, can be caretakers of the earth.

Creativity Through Art: Becoming a Water Protector

Art is a wonderful way for children to express their thoughts about the story and their role in protecting the environment.

Activity: Create a “Water is Life” Poster

• Provide crayons, markers, and paper.

• Ask your child to draw a picture of water they want to protect—maybe a lake, a river, or even a bathtub!

• Help them add words like “Water is Sacred” or “I Am a Water Protector.”

• Display the artwork to remind them of their role in caring for the planet.

This activity reinforces the book’s message and gives children a sense of ownership over environmental protection.

Reflection: What Can We Do to Help?

Encourage your little learner to think about how they can take action to care for the earth, especially during Earth Month.

Reflection Questions:

• What would you say if you were teaching someone about water?

• How can we use less water at home?

• What are small actions we can take to help the earth?

• Why is it important to take care of the environment?

Simple actions, like turning off the faucet while brushing teeth, picking up litter, or planting a tree, show children that small choices can make a big impact.

Empowering Our Youngest Protectors

We Are Water Protectors is more than just a beautiful story, it’s a call to action for young learners to care for our planet. Earth Month is the perfect time to reinforce the importance of environmental responsibility and encourage children to take small but meaningful steps to protect the world around them.

By engaging with the book’s themes and activities, children will build literacy skills while developing an early sense of responsibility for the environment.

We hope these literacy lessons spark meaningful conversations and inspire your little learner to think about how they can make a difference. Stay tuned for next month’s book feature in our Literacy Lessons for Little Learners series, and as always, happy reading!

Literacy Lessons for Little Learners: Celebrating Trailblazing Women with Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison

March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the incredible contributions of women throughout history. At the Early Excellence Project, we celebrate books that inspire young readers to dream big and recognize the impact of women who paved the way for future generations.

This month, we’re featuring Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison, a beautifully illustrated book that introduces children to remarkable Black women who made history. From artists and scientists to activists and athletes, these stories highlight courage, perseverance, and leadership.

In this post, we’ll explore literacy lessons to help your little learner connect with these inspiring women while building essential reading and comprehension skills.

"Celebrate inspiring stories with 'Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History' by Vashti Harrison, featured in the Early Excellence Project for young learners."

Introducing the Story: Who Are the Bold Women in Black History?

This book features short biographies of 40 groundbreaking Black women who changed the world. Through engaging text and stunning illustrations, young readers learn about women like Harriet Tubman, Maya Angelou, and Katherine Johnson—leaders who broke barriers and made lasting contributions in their fields.

Start with These Questions:

• What does it mean to be a leader?

• Have you heard of any of these women before?

• Why do you think it’s important to learn about women in history?

• Can boys and girls both be leaders?

These questions help children activate prior knowledge and spark curiosity before reading.

Literacy Lessons: Building Vocabulary

The stories in Little Leaders introduce children to powerful words about leadership, activism, and success.

Try These Vocabulary Activities:

• Word Hunt – As you read about each leader, point out new words like "courage," "perseverance," and "trailblazer." Explain their meanings in simple terms.

• Act It Out – If a leader was an athlete, scientist, or writer, act out what they did! Pretend to run like Wilma Rudolph or write poetry like Maya Angelou.

• Matching Game – Write down key words from the book (e.g., "brave," "innovative," "bold") and match them to the leaders in the book.

  
  

These activities help children build language skills while reinforcing the book’s themes of resilience and determination.

Exploring Story Themes: What Makes a Leader?

The women in this book made history by standing up for what they believed in and working hard to achieve their dreams. Use their stories to inspire discussions about leadership and courage.

Discussion Questions:

• What challenges did some of these women face?

• How did they overcome obstacles?

• Which leader inspires you the most? Why?

• What kind of leader do you want to be?

  
  

Encouraging children to think about leadership in their own lives helps them see that they, too, can make a difference.

Creativity Through Art: Drawing Bold Leaders

Art is a great way to help children connect with history and express what they’ve learned.

Activity: Create a "Bold Leader" Portrait

• Provide crayons, markers, and paper.

• Ask your child to choose one woman from the book and draw her portrait.

• Help them write a sentence about why she is inspiring (e.g., "Rosa Parks was brave because she stood up for fairness").

• Display the artwork to celebrate Women's History Month!

  
  

This activity helps children connect visually with history while practicing reading and writing skills.

Reflection: How Can You Be a Leader?

Encourage your little learner to think about how they can be a leader in their community, family, or school.

Reflection Questions:

• What does being a leader mean to you?

• How can you help others?

• What would you do if you saw something unfair?

  
  

Encourage them to write or draw their own story about how they can be a leader, reinforcing the idea that leadership comes in many forms.

Empowering Our Future Leaders

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History is more than just a book—it’s an invitation for young readers to dream, lead, and make history in their own way. By engaging with the stories and activities in this post, your little learner will build literacy skills while learning valuable lessons about leadership and resilience.

We hope these literacy lessons spark meaningful conversations and inspire your little one to embrace their own boldness. Stay tuned for next month’s book feature in our Literacy Lessons for Little Learners series, and as always, happy reading!

Literacy Lessons for Little Learners: Finding Your Voice with Ruby René Had So Much to Say by Ashley Iman

At the Early Excellence Project, we celebrate books that empower little learners to embrace their unique voices and share their thoughts with confidence. Ruby René Had So Much to Say by Ashley Iman is a heartwarming story that encourages children to find their voice, value self-expression, and speak their truth. Through its captivating narrative and relatable themes, this book helps young readers understand the importance of communication and being true to themselves.

In this post, we’ll explore literacy lessons to help your little learner connect with Ruby’s journey while building essential reading and comprehension skills.

Exploring the Power of Words

Ruby René Had So Much to Say highlights the importance of expressing feelings and thoughts in ways that are meaningful and impactful. This theme is perfect for sparking conversations with your little learner about the power of their words.

Try These Activities:

• Feelings Chart: Create a chart with different emotions (happy, sad, excited, nervous) and discuss how Ruby might have felt in different parts of the story. Encourage your child to share times when they’ve felt the same way.

• Speaking Up Role Play: Practice scenarios where your child can use their voice, such as asking for help, sharing an idea, or inviting someone to play. This reinforces confidence in self-expression.

• Word Jar: Introduce new vocabulary from the book, such as "courage" and "expression." Add these words to a word jar, and revisit them in daily conversations.

Connecting Literacy with Self-Expression

Ruby’s story offers many opportunities to connect literacy skills with the theme of finding your voice. Use the book to foster reading comprehension and creative thinking.

Activities to Explore:

• Story Sequencing: After reading the book, ask your child to retell Ruby’s journey in their own words. What happened first? What did Ruby do next? This strengthens narrative skills.

• Character Reflection: Discuss what Ruby learned by the end of the story. Ask your child, “What did Ruby discover about her voice? How do you think she felt?”

• Personal Story Writing: Encourage your child to write (or dictate) a short story about a time they felt brave speaking up. This activity builds confidence and early writing skills.

Encouraging Self-Confidence

One of the key messages in Ruby René Had So Much to Say is the importance of believing in yourself. This theme provides a great opportunity to boost your little learner’s self-esteem.

Confidence-Boosting Questions:

• “What is something you’re really good at?”

• “When have you felt proud of yourself?”

• “What would you say if you wanted to share something important with others?”

  
  

Pair these conversations with positive affirmations. For example, “I am brave,” or “My voice matters.”

Creativity Through Art

Art is a wonderful way to help children process and express their thoughts. After reading the book, try a creative activity inspired by Ruby’s journey.

Activity: “My Voice Matters” Poster

• Provide art supplies like crayons, markers, and construction paper.

• Ask your child to draw or write about what makes their voice special. They can include phrases like, “I share kindness,” or “I ask questions.”

• Display the finished poster in a prominent place to remind your child of their unique strengths.

  
  

Reflection for Little Learners

Reflection helps children internalize what they’ve learned. After exploring Ruby’s story, ask your child to think about their own voice and how they use it.

Reflection Questions:

• “What did Ruby learn about herself?”

• “Why is it important to share how we feel?”

• “What would you like to say if you could tell the world one thing?”

  
  

Capture their reflections through a drawing, a short video, or a simple conversation.

Empowering Our Little Learners

Ruby René Had So Much to Say is more than a story—it’s an inspiring reminder that every voice matters, and every child has something valuable to share. By engaging with Ruby’s journey and the activities in this post, your little learner will build confidence in their self-expression while strengthening their literacy skills.

We hope these literacy lessons spark meaningful moments of growth and connection. Stay tuned for more books and activities in our Literacy Lessons for Little Learners series, and as always, happy reading!