Each grade-level library includes five Teaching Cards that offer options for exploring each anchor text. Using the Anchor Texts and Teaching Cards
Grade K
A quick overview identifies teaching highlights, like content-area connections and writing about reading, to encourage academic growth.
Amplifying AANHPI Narratives
Punky Aloha written and illustrated by Shar Tui‘asoa
Introduce • Teach these essential vocabulary terms before reading aloud the book to children. depends on (p. 13) needs downright (p. 20) absolutely, completely recite (p. 13) say from memory • Display the front cover to children and read the title. Explain that the girl on the cover is Punky Aloha. Tell children she doesn’t need glasses to see. Instead, she is wearing Grandma’s “brave glasses.” Ask: Why might Punky need to be brave? Let’s read to find out! Read Aloud Encourage children to turn and talk with partners or share their thinking with the whole group. pp. 2–7 Grandma calls Punky a “brave adventurer.” What else do you find out about Punky? What used to be hard for Punky to do? pp. 8–13 Punky has a problem. Grandma needs butter for the banana bread, but Punky is scared to go to the market alone. What is Punky afraid of? How might “brave glasses” help Punky on her journey? pp. 14–17 Punky helps a mommy pig get mangoes home to her family. How did reciting her aloha—“Be helpful. Be giving. Be brave.”—help Punky? How does Punky feel after helping the pigs? pp. 18–23 Punky is getting the hang of talking to new friends, but then her “brave glasses” break! How do you think she will help the boy she ran into? Do you think Punky will be shy again without her glasses? Why or why not? pp. 24–25 Punky helps Kai and doesn’t seem to mind that her “brave glasses” broke. Why wasn’t she upset about breaking her glasses? What has Punky learned about making friends? pp. 26–30 Punky had a big adventure and shared aloha along the way. How did sharing aloha help Punky make new friends? How can you share aloha with people in your life? At a Glance Meet Punky Aloha, a Polynesian girl who carries her culture in her heart and everywhere she goes. At first, Punky feels shy about meeting new friends. But when she has to go to the market to get butter for Grandma’s special banana bread, Punky learns how to be courageous with the help of Grandma’s “brave glasses.” Along the way, she remembers to share her aloha, helping animals and people in need. She becomes a brave adventurer and experiences the joy of making new friends on her home island of O‘ahu. Genre/Text Type Fantasy/Picture Book Content Area Connections Family, Cooking, Friendship Write About Punky’s Problems
Rising Voices Theme Heroes and Role Models
A sidebar offers tips
Teaching Tips Build Background The Hawaiian word aloha means to show love and respect for all living beings, including the land and yourself. Author Shar Tui‘asoa explains aloha as “I give you, you give me... It’s something we all grow together.” Aloha is also used to say hello and goodbye. Aunty Pilahi Pakī, a famous Hawaiian poet, wrote a poem to share the special meaning of aloha . Below is a simplified adaptation. A—Akahai—Kindness
for building background knowledge, language support, and facilitating the read-aloud.
L—Lōkahi—Being together as one O—‘Olu‘olu—Friendly and gentle
H—Ha‘aha‘a—Humble A—Ahonui—Patience
Language Support Explain to children that writers can use sound words to help readers feel like they are hearing what the characters hear. Preview and explore the sound words with children: oink (p. 13), bzz (p. 17), crash (pp. 22–23), and yum (p. 24). Reading Aloud You may wish to read the book twice. First, read it all the way through and invite general reactions. Then, reread it, using the questions to guide discussion and deepen comprehension. As you read, briefly define unfamiliar words and terms when you come to them in the text.
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Suggested prompts support strategic responses to text, higher-level thinking, and interaction as children turn and talk or discuss their ideas with the whole class.
This section prepares for reading by introducing essential vocabulary that adds context and empowers children. It provides a “hook” to engage children and build on what they already know.
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