Reading with children can improve their language, literacy, and social-emotional skills, increasing their knowledge of the world around them.

The Year We Learned to Fly

By Jacqueline Woodson

We are Reading:  

The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson is a beautifully written story that celebrates the power of imagination, courage, and hope. When a brother and sister feel bored, angry, or stuck inside, their grandmother reminds them to “use their beautiful and brilliant minds” to lift themselves up and soar beyond their troubles. Inspired by the strength of their ancestors, they learn that their minds can take them anywhere. The Year We Learned to Fly encourages children to find strength within themselves and to rise above challenges with creativity and confidence.

Family Connections:

As you read The Year We Learned to Fly at home, here area few simple ways to support your child’s understanding:

● Talk about times when your child feels bored, frustrated, or stuck, and how their imagination
can help them feel better.
● Ask questions such as “What helps you calm down?” or “What would you imagine if you
needed to ‘lift yourself up’ like the characters?”
● Create an “imagination jar” together filled with ideas for calming or creative activities your child can try when they need a break.
● Take a moment each day to share one positive or hopeful thought that helps your child feel brave and confident.

We are Listening to:

The Year We Learned to Fly

We are making curriculum connections:

Civics for All: Civic Ideals, Civic Participation& Justice

DEI Focus: All individuals have the capacity to overcome obstacles and grow from their experiences.

SEL Theme: Empathy, kindness, and self-empowerment

Students of the Month: In recognition of students who are not afraid of making mistakes
and use it as a chance to grow and improve.

KEY WORDS:

Discuss and define these words with children prior to reading the book. Rather than focus on memorizing all the words, make sure they understand the words enough to follow the story. Remind children of the words’ meanings as they come up in the book. You can also point out when the words appear in the story.

1. Brilliant: Very smart or very bright.
2. Stormy: Describes rough, strong weather, also used to show strong feelings.
3. Soar: To fly or rise high in the air
4. Ancestor: A family member from a long time ago who came before you.

One Book, One School Community…

“The idea is that… (a community) that opens the same book does it in greater harmony.” -Mary McGrory, 2002