Every Month Is A New Year Activity

Summary

Are you looking for a book that teaches readers about the world around them? Take a look at Every Month is a New Year. It’s a treasure that needs to be explored by every child and educator. The book offers the quintessential window into other cultures by using a common thread: New Year’s Day.

The features in this book are captivating. Let’s start with how the pages turn; from bottom to top. Just like a calendar. Next, a colorful map highlights different countries that celebrate New Year’s Day. Below the map is a synopsis of what this day means.

Now onto the calendar. Each month describes a New Year’s Day celebration in a different country. Poetic text and gorgeous illustrations explain the special observances. The artwork, done in collage, is full of texture. Readers will find themselves running their hands across the pages to feel the illustrations.

There is something for everyone at the end of the book. Here, readers will find more details about the referenced celebrations and calendars. A glossary defines unknown words. New Year’s Day greetings from around the world will invite readers to speak a different language.

Response to Literature

AASL Standards Framework for Learners: Include/Think II.A.3 Learners contribute a balanced perspective when participating in a learning community by describing their understanding of cultural relevancy and placement within the global learning community.

Let’s focus on a visual literacy lesson to inspire thoughtful questions.

Begin with gathering background information. Ask:

• “What do you already know about calendars?
• “How do the pages turn in a calendar?”
• “What questions do you have about calendars?”

Next, look at the cover. Ask:

• “What questions do you have about the title?”
• “Notice the segmented circle. What is the illustrator trying to tell us?”
• “What questions do you have about the title or the illustration?”

Open the book to the introductory pages. Read the information. Ask learners to share “I Wonder” questions as you read. Write the questions on chart paper.

Next, choral read the months of the year and flip through the pages. Ask readers what they noticed about the quick scan through the illustrations. Choose one page to explore. Read the text and notice the illustration. What questions do readers have? Show how the back of the book has information that might answer their questions. Discuss other ways learners can find answers.

Give learners an opportunity to learn more about the featured country with library resources.

If you have 4 copies of the book, divide the class into groups. Ask each group to choose a New Year’s Day celebration from the book. Invite them to ask questions and find answers. Share new learning with the class.

Enrichment Ideas

Give learners the opportunity to create with collage. Find a page in the book to copy. This activity will compel learners to look closely at the illustrations and consider how the images were constructed. More questions will arise as they think about the illustrator’s craft.

Illustrator Susan L. Roth will do collage with your learners! Click here to learn more.

If you like this lesson idea, please take a look at our book, Lessons Inspired by Picture Books for Primary Grades. This resource includes ready-to-go lesson plans that meet the standards. Worksheets, assessments and rubrics are included

Pair this book with Outside My Window to learn more about our amazing world.

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