Picturebooks in European Primary English Language Teaching
Mini Picturebook Lesson 22: You Matter by Christian Robinson
Notes
Synopsis
A story that will help children understand that everyone matters by seeing how they are all connected. The dedication reads “For anyone who isn’t sure if they matter. You do.”
Lesson access
via url-link or QR-Code
Equipment
tablet, phone or laptop, internet connection, perhaps headphones
What do you see on the front cover? How many children? What are the children doing? Name the colours.
Personalise
Have you ever played with a parachute?
Think
What do you think it is like to play with a parachute?
Personalise
Look at the title: you matter. Are you told ‘you matter’? Who tells you? How does that make you feel?
Translanguage
How do you say ‘you matter’ in your language?
Predict
What three small creatures and three big creatures could be in this story?
Check
Look up the meaning of these words: microscope, tide, pest, busy, to fall down, gassy, astronaut, lost, alone.
Step 2 and Step 3: Listen and Watch
Part A
Listen and watch for general understanding and enjoyment.
Part B
Listen and watch again and answer the questions, pause and replay when you need to.
What does the girl see though the microscope?
Which sea creature is not swimming with the tide?
What colour are the lizards?
Which insect is a pest?
Who does the pest bite? Where does he bite him?
What do you think the dinosaurs are running from?
Which star is gassy?
What or who do you think the astronaut is thinking about?
Pause the video. What can you see in the eight windows?
Which animal is lost? Have you ever felt lost and alone in a big city?
Who or what is old and young?
What is too small to see?
Where is the boy looking out from on the last double spread?
Step 4: Add your Voice
Review & Repeat
Watch the story again and join in with Christian Robinson every time he says ‘you matter’.
Review & Notice
Look at the illustrations and say how you think each illustration is connected to the one before and the one after.
Order
Remember the different creatures in the story. Order them by size, from big to small.
Observe
Look out of your window and describe what you see. Do you see somebody who might think they do not matter?
Draw
Draw an aerial view (from above) of your own city, town or village.
Research
Find out three facts about the sun.
Your opinion
Which is your favourite illustration? Why?
Think
What is the message of this story?
Step 5: Share and Evaluate your work
Share
Send your work to your teacher or share in your virtual classroom.
Evaluate
Complete the evaluation sheet to reflect on your learning.
Need Help ? Part A: Read and complete. You can write or say your answers. You can do this on your own, in pairs or in a class discussion.
Part B: Think about how well you did. Choose and draw the smiley face that fits best.
Draw along with Christian Robinson and draw a T-Rex. Carrying on viewing or go to 8.16.
2
Christian Robinson talks about the General Sherman – the biggest tree in the world. Find out its height, its diameter, its age, where it grows and what type of tree it is. Create a poster with the facts you find out about the sun or about General Sherman.
Learn Sign Language
Finally, if you enjoyed the read aloud, why not learn some Sign Language. Watch Leanne sign You Matter and learn how to sign: matter, small, see, first and last.
Picturebooks in European Primary English Language Teaching 