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!

Literacy Lessons for Little Learners: Introducing Equity & Justice with the "A is for Activist" book by Innosanto Nagara

Cheerful children proudly holding books in a vibrant classroom, celebrating the joy of reading and learning together.

At the Early Excellence Project, we celebrate books that empower little learners to explore big ideas and understand the power of their voices. A is for Activist, by Innosanto Nagara, is one such book, guiding children through the alphabet with words and concepts that encourage them to think about fairness, community, and justice. Through colorful illustrations and empowering language, this book helps young readers recognize their potential to create a better world.

In this post, we’ll explore literacy lessons to inspire your little learner to engage with the themes of activism while building key reading and comprehension skills.

Introducing Big Ideas Through Alphabet Play

A is for Activist introduces young readers to bold and important vocabulary while reinforcing letter recognition. This dual focus makes it a wonderful tool for early literacy development.

Try These Activities:

• Alphabet Connection: As you read each page, point out the featured letter and encourage your child to repeat it. Talk about the word connected to the letter, like "A is for Activist" or "D is for Democracy."

• Everyday Examples: Relate each word to something your child has experienced. For example, discuss how they’ve seen fairness or sharing in their own life.

• Create Your Own Alphabet: Challenge your child to come up with their own A-to-Z of activism. For example, “B is for Brave” or “C is for Caring.” This reinforces comprehension while sparking creativity.

Exploring Activism with Little Learners

Activism is a big concept, but little learners can begin to understand it through everyday actions and relatable examples.

Start with These Questions:

• “What does it mean to stand up for what’s right?”

• “Can you think of a time when you helped a friend or shared something?”

• “Why do you think fairness is important?”

By connecting activism to their world, children begin to see how they can make a difference in small but meaningful ways.

Empowering Through Art

Art is a fantastic way for children to process and express their understanding of big ideas. After reading A is for Activist, engage in an art activity that reflects the themes of the book.

Activity: Create an Activism Poster

• Provide crayons, markers, and paper for your child to create a poster advocating for something important to them, like kindness, recycling, or fairness.

• Encourage them to use bright colors and big letters, just like the illustrations in the book.

• Display their poster in your home or classroom as a reminder of the values they care about.

  
  

Building Vocabulary with Action Words

The bold language in A is for Activist introduces children to exciting new words that can spark curiosity and conversation.

Vocabulary Activities:

• Word Hunt: Pause on each page to explore new vocabulary like “activist,” “equity,” or “solidarity.” Explain what the word means in simple terms.

• Act It Out: Turn words into actions! For “stand,” show your child how to stand tall and strong. For “share,” practice sharing toys or snacks.

• Make Connections: Encourage your child to use new words in a sentence, such as, “I share my toys because it’s fair.”

  
  

These activities help children build confidence in using language that reflects their values.

Reflecting on Activism

Reflection is an important part of learning. After reading, invite your child to think about what they’ve learned from the book.

Reflection Questions:

• “What was your favorite letter and word in the book?”

• “How can you help make the world a better place?”

• “What does being an activist mean to you?”

  
  

Capture their thoughts through drawings or a short journal entry. Even a simple sentence like, “I can be kind to my friends,” reinforces the themes of the book.

Empowering Our Youngest Activists

A is for Activist is more than just an alphabet book, it’s a call to action for little learners. By engaging with the words, ideas, and activities inspired by this book, children gain a deeper understanding of fairness, kindness, and the importance of standing up for what’s right.

We hope these literacy lessons spark meaningful conversations and inspire your little learners to dream big, think boldly, and act kindly. Stay tuned for more books and activities in our Literacy Lessons for Little Learners series, and as always, happy reading!

Literacy Lessons for Little Learners: Spreading Joy and Cheer with Santa's Gotta Go! by Derrick Barnes

Book Cover - Santa's Gotta Go! by Derrick Barnes

At the Early Excellence Project, we believe in the power of books to inspire joy, creativity, and meaningful learning moments for children. This holiday season, we’re excited to feature Santa's Gotta Go! by Derrick Barnes. This festive story follows Santa as he finishes his Christmas Eve duties and embarks on an unforgettable journey to spread holiday cheer in surprising ways.

Through humor, vibrant illustrations, and heartwarming moments, this book provides opportunities for little learners to explore themes of generosity, gratitude, and the magic of the holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you'll find valuable character development lessons that resonate universally, making it a meaningful read for every family.

In this post, we’ll share literacy lessons to spark fun and creativity while supporting your child’s reading and comprehension skills.

---

Holiday-Themed Vocabulary

The playful language in Santa’s Gotta Go! introduces children to words and phrases associated with the holiday season. As you read, pause to highlight new vocabulary like "sleigh," "jolly," or "celebration." Try these fun activities to build your child’s vocabulary:

• Picture Match: Ask your child to point out illustrations that match the new words.

• Act It Out: Encourage your child to act out or describe the meaning of each word in their own way.

• Word Jar: Create a “holiday word jar” where your child can collect new words and revisit them throughout the season.

  
  

This interactive approach makes learning new words engaging and memorable!

Sequencing Santa’s Adventures

The story follows Santa on his exciting post-Christmas journey. Use the book to teach your child about sequencing by discussing the order of events:

• After reading, ask your child to recall what Santa did first, next, and last.

• Use simple prompts like, “What happened after Santa delivered the presents?”

• For younger learners, draw pictures of the key events and have them place them in order.

  
  

Sequencing activities help children build comprehension and narrative skills while encouraging attention to detail.

Illustration from Santa's Gotta Go! by Derrick Barnes

Exploring Generosity and Gratitude

One of the central themes of Santa’s Gotta Go! is the joy of giving and sharing. After reading, take time to discuss the following questions with your child:

1. “How does Santa show generosity in the story?”

2. “Why is it important to share with others?”

3. “What are some ways we can spread joy like Santa?”

Follow up with a creative activity:

• Generosity Jar: Help your child decorate a jar and fill it with ideas for kind acts, such as making a holiday card, sharing toys, or donating to a food drive.

• Thank You Notes: Encourage your child to write or draw thank-you notes for family members, teachers, or friends to show gratitude during the holiday season.

  
  

These conversations and activities encourage empathy and kindness, both key elements of early social-emotional learning.

Sharing Gratitude Through Video

A wonderful way to extend the themes of Santa’s Gotta Go! is by helping your little learner express gratitude in a modern, creative way. Using a smartphone, guide your child to record a short video message to share with family and friends. Here's how:

• Prepare the Message: Ask your child to think of a few things they’re grateful for this holiday season. For example, they could thank a grandparent for a special gift, share something they love about a family tradition, or simply wish someone a happy holiday.

• Practice Makes Improvement: Help your child practice what they’d like to say, keeping the message short and sweet. Encourage them to use expressive language and share their personality!

• Record the Video: Find a festive spot in your home to record the message. Use simple props, like holiday decorations or a favorite stuffed animal, to make it fun.

• Share the Cheer: Once the video is ready, help your child send it via text or email to family and friends.

This activity reinforces the themes of gratitude and connection while introducing your little learner to the power of digital storytelling. It’s a heartfelt way to spread holiday cheer and stay connected with loved ones.

Rhyme and Rhythm Fun

Derrick Barnes uses playful rhymes and rhythmic text to make Santa’s Gotta Go! an engaging read-aloud experience. Use the rhyming text to boost phonological awareness:

• Rhyme Hunt: Ask your child to listen for rhyming words as you read and repeat them aloud together.

• Make Your Own Rhymes: Challenge your child to come up with their own rhymes inspired by the story. For example, “Santa’s on the go, spreading joy like snow!”

• Clap It Out: Clap along with the rhythm of the text to help your child feel the beat and patterns of the words.

These activities make reading fun while building essential pre-reading skills.

Spread the Holiday Spirit

Santa’s Gotta Go! by Derrick Barnes is a delightful story that reminds us all of the joy in giving and sharing during the holiday season. Through these literacy lessons and activities, your little learner can develop key reading skills, practice generosity, and make meaningful connections with the story’s themes.

We hope this post inspires joyful moments with your little learners. From all of us at the Early Excellence Project, happy holidays and happy reading!

---

Looking for more ways to nurture your child’s love of learning? Check out other blog posts from our Literacy Lessons for Little Learners series, featuring books like

• A is for Ambitious by Meena Harris and

• Who Are Your People? by Bakari Sellers.

  
  

Stay tuned for next month’s book feature, and as always, thank you for joining us in fostering a love of literacy!