Mobility: Lesson 2

"Painted Words, Spoken Memories" by Aliki

BEFORE VIEWING:

Explain that this book is about being a “new girl,” and has been designed in two parts. The first part of the book is entitled Painted Words Spoken Memories and is told mainly through the pictures Mari paints; the second part is told through her spoken words.

Ask your child(ren) to:

Listen carefully and decide which part they like best.

As we watch the story, think about the concerns they have over moving, and listen for those same concerns in this story.

When you’re ready, watch the read-aloud video with your child(ren).

After Viewing

Which part did you like best: Painted Words or Spoken Memories? Why do you think the story has two parts?

Talk about how the main character changes and remains the same between the two stories and how both stories together create a really good narrative.

The girl in this book/video has many emotions about her move. She uses pictures to express her feelings when she doesn’t have words. Mr. Petrie says there is more than one way to tell a story. What are some other ways we can express ourselves?

No right or wrong answers for this one; encourage your child(ren) to be honest.

Follow up with asking your child(ren) to pick a way that would potentially work for them and having a discussion on why that might be helpful and how they could apply that in their own life.

Make a list of the girl’s worries. Do you have some of the same worries?

She wouldn’t know anyone, she didn’t understand the language, she wouldn’t be understood, everything was so different, she was afraid.

Follow up with discussion possible solutions for each concern/worry.

When Mari moved to America she learned many new things. Can you name what they are?

She learned a new language, how to read and write, she learned to look and listen.

Note that she learned many new and important things in moving to another culture. Mari’s mother tells her to look, listen, and learn and that a body can talk, eyes can speak many words, and a smile is a smile in any language.

Mari's mother says that a "smile is a smile in any language." What do you think she means? How could you use this thought when moving to another culture?

Even if you can’t understand another person’s language anyone can understand a smile. When you move to another location even if you don’t speak the language you can communicate with a smile.

Encourage your child(ren) to be honest and help them think of ways they can apply Mari’s mother’s advice in the future.

Mari’s family moved because they thought life would be better for them in America. Why is your family moving? What are some of the good things that can happen from your move?

Allow your child(ren) the space to answer this honestly before you offer your own explanation. This is a valuable opportunity to hear your child(ren)’s point of view about the upcoming transition.

Post-Reading Activity

Five Senses of a Place

Needed:

Large sheet of paper/whiteboard
Drawing Materials (paper, pencils, crayons, etc.)

Activity:

Take out the large sheet of paper and draw a large house in the center, leaving room to spare on both sides.

Guide your child(ren) through the following prompts. As your child(ren) share, write the sensory words on the left-hand side of the house and emotional words on the right-hand side.

Using your five senses, think about the places you have lived.
Can you tell me about some of the sights, smells, and sounds of this place?
Now, I want you to describe some of the emotions you feel about this place. What made it special (or not special)?

Explain that these emotions are all real aspects of the place that they feel, even though they can’t touch or sense them with their five senses.

Review the different words that are on either side of the house, then ask:

What is the special ingredient that bonds a house and home together?

Explain that the family ties the two together. Remind them that your family and God will be there to help them bridge their future home to their past home.

Give your child(ren) several minutes of quiet time to draw or write about a vivid memory from the places they lived before. Have them read what they wrote or talk about their picture. It may be helpful if parents also drew/wrote and shared a story from their life as well!