Books in the Home Program
Goodnight Moon
by
Margaret Wise Brown
NWT Literacy Council
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance
received from the GNWT Department of Education, Culture
and Employment and the National Literacy Secretariat.
Copies of this kit are available from the NWT Literacy
Councilor from our website www.nwt.literacy.ca.
Permission is granted for the duplication of this resource
for educational purposes.
Books in the Home Kits
This Books in the Home kit was developed to supplement the
NWT Literacy Councils Books in the Home program. It is one
in a series of Books in the Home kits that you can download
from the NWT Literacy Council website at www.nwt.literacy.ca.
You are welcome to photocopy and use the activities in your
programs, or adapt them to your needs.
Books in the Home kits to date:
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9
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9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
Introduction and Session One
Carry Me Momma
Good Night Baby Bear
If You Give a Moose a Muffin
Kumaks House
Polar Babies
Said the Raven
Snow Lets Go
Turnagain Ptarmigan
Love You Forever
The Moccasin Goalie
Goodnight Moon
The Bear on the Bed
You will find more activities on our website. Download them
and use them at home or in your program.
NWT Literacy Council
Box 761
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2N6
Phone: 867-873-9262
Fax: 867-873-2176
Toll Free in the NWT: 1-866-599-6758
Email: nwtliteracy@nwtlteracy.ca
Website: www.nwt.literacy.ca
The Books in the Home Program
The NWT Books in the Home program is similar to other programs
used widely in Canada. It is based on the belief that parents are
childrens first and most important teachers. Parents learn to read
and share books with their children in positive and enjoyable ways.
It promotes reading and writing of both parents and children.
Children need to read, write, talk and listen to become literate. They
also need to have fun and share their ideas with their parents.
Parents who have gone through this program have noticed a
remarkable change in their relationship with their children.
You can do this program over several weeks. By providing childcare
on-site, parents and children can meet separately and then come
together to do joint activities. Each week, parents study a childrens
book and take the book home. They can ask questions about the
book and do a craft related to it. As well, parents write a journal
outlining goals for the week. At the end of the session, they spend
time reading the new book with their children.
Objectives
9 To create a supportive and encouraging learning environment
for parents
9 To provide parents with tools to help their children with reading
and writing in the home
9 To help parents prepare their children for school or help them
with homework
9 To promote life-long learning in parents and children
Benefits
9 Reading and writing become a part of everyday family life
9 Relationships in families are enriched through spending time
with one another reading
9 Parents often become more interested in their own reading and
may want to continue in adult education
9 Stronger communication in families is developed
9 Children learn to love reading and writing
Table of Contents
Where to Buy Copies. 2
About the Author 3
What You Will Need 4
Overview of the session. 6
Warm Up 8
Brainstorm Session Handout.. 9
Literacy Action Plan 10
My Reading Record. 11
Colouring Pages 12
The Three Little Kittens. 15
Fun with Numbers.. 17
Mazes... 19
Connect the Dots.. 21
Word Scramble.. 22
Rhyming Match. 23
Did You Know?....................................... 24
Animal Picture Cards. 25
The Star Story.. 28
Creating Peace.. 31
Peace Stars and Mobile 32
Your Goodnight Book. 35
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Where to Buy More Copies
If you would like to buy more copies of
The Moccasin Goalie, contact your local bookstore.
The Book Cellar
Yellowknife
(867) 920-2220
1-800-944-6029
Pages
Hay River
(867) 874-3331
Boreal Books
Inuvik
(867) 777-3748
North of 60 Books
Fort Smith
(867) 872-2606
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
About the Author
Margaret Wise Brown
Margaret Wise Brown wrote hundreds of books and stories during
her life. She is best known for Goodnight Moon and Runaway
Bunny. Even though she died over 45 years ago, her books still sell
very well.
Margaret loved animals. Most of her books have
animals as characters in the story. She liked to
write books that had a rhythm to them.
Sometimes she would put a hard word into the
story or poem. She thought this made children
think harder when they are reading.
She wrote all the time. She said she dreamed
stories and then had to write them down in the
morning before she forgot them. She tried to write the way children
wanted to hear a story, which often isn't the same way an adult
would tell a story.
Margaret died after surgery for a burst appendix while in France.
She had many friends who still miss her. They say she was a
creative genius who made a room come to life with her excitement.
Margaret saw herself as something else - a writer of songs and
nonsense.
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
What You Will Need for This Session
9 A copy of Goodnight Moon for each family
9 Journals or loose leaf paper for parents journaling
9 Copies of The Three Little Kittens rhyme
9 Copies of Tips for Doing Readers Theatre
9 Copies of the Literacy Action Plan
9 Copies of My Reading Record
9 Copies of the Home Activities
o Two Colouring Pages
o Two Rhymes
o Fun with Numbers
o Two Mazes
o Connect the Dots
o Word Scramble
o Rhyming Match
o Did You Know?
o Animal Flash Cards and Games
o The Star Story
o Creating Peace
o Crafts: Peace Stars
Peace Star Mobile
A Goodnight Book
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Snack of the Week
Apple Fondue
cup natural peanut butter
cup crispy rice cereal
a handful of raisins
2 green apples, cut into wedges
Mix the peanut butter, cereal and raisins in a small bowl. Let
the kids dip the apple wedges into the thick peanut butter
mixture. If you prefer to thin it, melt the peanut butter in the
microwave first, then add the cereal and raisins and serve
warm. Adjust the measurements to match the numbers in the
class.
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Overview of this Session
Introductions
9 Introduce Newcomers
o If there are new people at the session be sure to do
introductions before beginning the warm up activity.
9 Warm Up Activity:
o Begin the session with an activity to get people
warmed up.
9 Expectations
o Ask parents what their expectations of the session are.
Write the responses on a sheet of flip chart paper or
white board. Try to meet the expectations.
9 Group Agreements
o Group agreements help make the sessions run more
smoothly. At the first session, as a group, you should
make a list of things that everyone agrees to. For
example to be on time; to listen when others are talking;
and to give an equal chance for everyone to participate.
Review the agreements every few weeks. Ask if there are
any agreements that need to be added or deleted.
Brainstorming and Discussion
9 Review the past week
Ask:
o What literacy activities did you do at home last week?
o Did you follow your action plan?
o How did it go?
9 Oral language development
o Brainstorm ways of reading with children that helps the
children become more engaged in the story. Write the
ideas on a flip chart.
o Introduce the idea of Readers Theatre. Explain what it
is, how its done and why we do it.
o Hand out the Tips for Readers Theatre page and the
Three Little Kittens rhyme. Practice the rhyme.
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Introduce the book
o Introduce Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.
o Read the book together as a group.
o Brainstorm activities that parents could do at home that are
related to the book.
o Do an activity that is related to the story that families can use
at home.
o Hand out the Home Activity Sheets.
o Go over each of the activities to be sure that parents know
how to do them.
Adult Writing
o Have parents review the Weekly Literacy Action Plan for the
upcoming week.
o Ask parents to write down one thing that they learned in this
session. Ask them to share this with the group. Remind
them that they always have the option to pass.
Wrap Up
9 Ask the participants for feedback on the session. Use the
information that they give you when plan future sessions.
o What did you like about the session?
o What would you change?
Story Time
o Have children come back from their Reading Circle.
o Gather everyone together and have the parents perform the
Three Little Kittens. Repeat it a few times, having the
children join in with the meowing and purring or any of the
lines that they know.
Snack
o Take a break and share a nutritious snack.
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Warm Up Activity
Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
Divide the participants into groups of two or three.
Each group must try to find something in the room that begins
with each of the 26 letters of the alphabet.
The first group that finds something for each of the 26 letters
must then read out their words. Only after it is agreed that
the words are alright, the team is declared the winners. If any
of the words are disputed, the game continues until another
group finishes.
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Readers Theatre:
Becoming an Enthusiastic Reader
Brainstorm ways of reading with children that helps them become
more engaged in the story. Do any of the ideas transfer into
Readers Theatre?
Use the Three Little Kittens rhyme to practice doing Readers
Theatre. Perform the rhyme for the children when they return to
the class.
Readers Theatre is an opportunity to have fun while letting your
voice be free. You practice using your voice in ways that you may
not normally during your regular day. With Readers Theatre you
use different voices and sounds, facial expressions and gestures to
engage your audience and to tell your story. At the same time, you
improve your reading skills.
Readers Theatre generally involves two or more readers reading
aloud. Each reader has a copy of the script so there is no need to
memorize the lines.
Why
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9
9
do it?
Its fun!
It promotes cooperation and teamwork.
It helps develop an interest in reading and can transform
reluctant readers into enthusiastic readers.
9 The repeated reading aloud helps improve confidence and
self-esteem and develops reading fluency.
9 It improves listening skills.
For more information about Readers Theatre, to find scripts and to learn
about writing your own script, please go to our website:
http://www.nwt.literacy.ca/famlit/howtokit/theatre/cover.htm
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Literacy Action Plan
Monday_____________________________________________________
Read together for 15 minutes
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Tuesday_____________________________________________________
Read together for 15 minutes
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Wednesday__________________________________________________
Read together for 15 minutes
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Thursday___________________________________________________
Read together for 15 minutes.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Friday_______________________________________________________
Read together for 15 minutes.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Saturday____________________________________________________
Read together for 15 minutes.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Sunday_____________________________________________________
Read together for 15 minutes.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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My Reading Record
Keep a list of all the books that you read during the week.
Write the titles of the books below.
Tell your friends about your favorites so they can enjoy them too.
1. ____________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________
8. ____________________________________________
9. ____________________________________________
10. ___________________________________________
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Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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The Three Little Kittens
Three little kittens lost their mittens;
And they began to cry,
O mother dear,
We very much fear
That our mittens we have lost.
Lost your mittens! You naughty kittens!
Then you shall have no pie.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
No, you shall have no pie.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
The Three little kittens found their mittens;
And they began to cry,
O mother dear,
See here, see here;
Our mittens we have found.
Put on your mittens, you silly kittens,
And you may have some pie.
Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r,
O let us have the pie.
Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r.
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Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
The three little kittens put on their mittens;
And soon ate up the pie,
O mother dear,
We very much fear
That our mittens we have soiled.
Soiled your mittens! You naughty kittens!
Then they began to sigh.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
Then they began to sigh,
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
The three little kittens washed their mittens;
And hung them out to dry,
O mother dear,
Did you not hear
That our mittens we have washed?
Washed your mittens!
You're such good kittens.
But I smell a rat close by.
Hush! hush! mee-ow, mee-ow.
We smell a rat close by.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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Fun with Numbers
1) The Three Little Kittens lost their mittens. Each kitten
lost four mittens. How many mittens were lost all together?
2) The kittens enjoy hunting for lemmings. Last week on
Monday they caught 16 lemmings. On Tuesday they caught
14 lemmings. On Wednesday they caught 12, and on
Thursday they caught 10.
a) How many lemmings did they catch all together?
b) If they continue this pattern, how many will they catch
on Friday?
3) Mother Cat loves to bake pies. She needs to make
fourteen pies. She made two catnip custard pies, five fish
meringue pies, and the rest were chocolate mouse pies. How
many chocolate mouse pies did she bake?
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Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
4) The kittens cleaned their bedroom looking for their
mittens. They started cleaning at 1:05 pm. They found
the last mitten three hours and twelve minutes later.
What time did they finish?
5) Mother Cat was so pleased when they found their mittens
that she said they could have pie and ice cream. But first
they had to buy the ice cream from the store.
Mother Cat gave them two quarters, three dimes, four
nickels, and eleven pennies to pay for the ice cream. The
ice cream cost $1.07. How much change did the Kittens
bring home?
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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Find your way through the maze.
Start at one ear and find your way to the
other!
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Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Help this hungry cat find catch his meal.
Find the correct path from START to FINISH.
Art by Peter Steiner
2001 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Word Scramble
Unscramble the words below. Write the correct word on the line
beneath it.
tonggdoih
_______________________________________________________
hburs
_______________________________________________________
sskoc
_______________________________________________________
hhsu
_______________________________________________________
tkitnse
_______________________________________________________
ynbood
_______________________________________________________
eissno
_______________________________________________________
nmoo
_______________________________________________________
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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Rhyming Match
Match the words that rhyme by joining them together with a line.
There are two words that dont match. Can you think of a rhyming
word for each of them?
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bears
mittens
clocks
balloon
mush
mouse
moon
chairs
kittens
socks
star
brush
house
room
1. ____________________________
____________________________
2. ____________________________
____________________________
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Did you know?
Some animals sleep a lot and some animals sleep a little. The chart
below shows the how much sleep different animals usually get each day.
2 hrs
giraffes
3 hrs
horses, deer
4 hrs
elephants, goats, sheep, cows
7 hrs
dolphins
8 hrs
humans, rabbits, pigs
9 hrs
dogs
10 hrs
chimpanzees, monkeys, baboons
11 hrs
beavers, fox
12 hrs
gorillas
13 hrs
wolves, raccoons, rats, mice
15 hrs
cats, squirrels, chipmunks, gerbils
20 hrs
bats
Use the chart to answer these questions.
Circle T if the answer is true or F if the answer is false.
True or False
1. Horses sleep for the shortest length of time. T
2. Humans sleep the same number of hours as rabbits. T
3. Wolves sleep the longest. T
4. Elephants and cows sleep the same number of hours. T
5. Beavers sleep the same number of hours as dolphins. T
6. The total combined number of hours that one cat, two giraffes and a
fox sleep is 30 hours. T F
7. The total combined number of hours that two dogs sleep
is 17 hours. T
F
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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Animal Picture Cards
Make two copies of each of the picture pages. Glue each sheet onto a
piece of cardstock or card board. Empty cereal boxes work well for this.
Cut out the cards. If you want the cards to last longer, use clear packing
tape to laminate them.
There are many activities that you can do with the Animal Picture Cards.
Here are just a few ideas:
9 Categorizing and Ordering. Use the Animal Sleep Chart and
arrange the picture cards in order from the animal that sleeps
the most to the animal that sleeps the least. Think of other
ways that the animals can be categorized.
9 Twenty Questions. Lay out the cards face up. Take turns
mentally choosing an animal. The other person then asks you
questions to figure out which animal you have chosen. You can
only answer with yes or no.
9 Play concentration. Using two of each animal picture, shuffle
the cards and lay them out face down. Take turns flipping over
two cards at a time, looking for a match. If you get a match,
take another turn. If your two cards dont match, turn them
back over and it becomes the other persons turn.
9 Flash Card Reading and Writing Practice. On the back of
each card, neatly write the name of the animal. (If you decide to
write on the cards, remember to do so before laminating them
with tape.) Put the cards in a pile, picture side up. Look at the
top picture and write that word on a piece of paper. Turn the
card over to check your spelling. If you have spelled the word
correctly, go on to the next card. If you have spelled it
incorrectly, take a moment to rewrite the word correctly, and
then slide the card back into the deck so that you get another
chance to practice.
9 Make an Animal Facts book. Glue each animal picture card
onto a piece of paper. Write down what you know about each
animal. Think about what you would like to know about the
animal. Look books, the internet, the library or ask your
teacher or friends to find your answers.
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Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
The Star Story
Reprinted from Living Values Activities
Published by Health Publications Inc.
www.livingvalues.net
Once upon a time, there was a lovely, bright, shining family of Peace
Stars. The head star of the family was the smiling Sun Star. She was
a very special star. She had a lot of love for all the other stars and
she would send loving beams of light to them. The stars liked this very
much, and so they were peaceful and happy. The Sun Star was happy
that they were happy, and she smiled day and night. She loved to look
at her Peace Star children.
The children of Earth were pleased that all the stars were happy
they liked to look up at the stars and see them sparkle. The children
of the Earth liked to see the Star children play with each other,
twinkling and shooting across the sky.
Sometimes the stars played with the Earth children. One day the
friendly stars in the sky saw two Earth children fighting with each
other. Oh, one of the Peace Stars said to another, Lets go quickly
and help these two children before they hurt each other!
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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As fast as lightning, they flew to the two children and sent them peace
beams and friendly beams. They tickled their bellies with the beams
and the children began to laugh.
Fearless Star noticed what was happening on Earth, and, since he was
without fear, he and Courageous Star flew down to the children. They
introduced themselves and Courageous Star spoke. I am called the
most courageous star in the Star family because I never quarrel or
fight with anyone. Not to quarrel of fight is the most courageous
thing to do.
Loving Star and the Laughing Star again began to focus their bright
beams on the children, and the children soon forgot their anger.
As the children forgot their anger, Helper Star and Patient Star
arrived. Children, said Helper Star, isnt it lovely how all these stars
have come down to Earth to help you? He paused, and then asked,
Can I tell you a secret?
yes, yes, cried the children excitedly.
Helper Star looked around and leaned in closer toward the children.
The greatest secret, Helper Star said, is patience. Look at Patient
Star! Nothing can upset him. He is always patient with others and
everyone loves him. Thats right, added Cautious Star. If you are
careful about how you treat others and you treat everyone with
respect, well, then its easy not hurt or be hurt by others, and there is
no need to fight.
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Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
As Cautious Star was speaking, more and more Star children arrived on
Earth, and they were joined by many more Earth children. We want
to be like the Stars! said one Earth child. Yes, we want to be like the
Stars, they cried. Suddenly something very bright appeared in the
sky. It was the Brightest Star, together with Happy Star and
Laughing Star. They beamed their light at the children. Laughing Star
began to chuckle and the children couldnt help but laugh too.
They began to play and sing. They danced and ate and laughed and
sang until dark and it was time to go home. This was the best party
ever! cried the children. And everyone agreed.
The Earth children hugged the Peace Stars good bye. Remember that
we are always here for you, said the Peace Stars, even in the daytime
when you cant see us. Picture us in your mind, and you will feel our
beams of love and peace. The Star children beamed brightly at the
Earth children, and then flew back to the great Sun Star.
As the Peace Stars flew higher and higher, they sent their bright
beams and loving thoughts down to the children below. As well as
sending peace, each of the Peace Stars sent his or her own special
quality. Patient Star sent patience. Laughing Star sent a big happy
laugh. Quiet Star sent soft, quiet beams. Loving Star sent an
unending flow of loving thoughts. The children on Earth watched
peacefully and happily as their new Star friends flew away. See you
again soon! they called out, and waved goodbye.
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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Creating Peace
Talk with your child about peace.
Peace is feeling quiet inside.
One way we can feel peace inside is to think of the stars and to
imagine ourselves to be just like them. They sparkle and shine way
up in the sky. We can see them but we cannot hear them. They
are so peaceful and so quiet.
Take a few minutes with your child to become like the Peace Stars.
Relax your body and sit quietly. Sit so quietly that the little star
inside you can shine brightly. Its a very peaceful and loving star
little star, shining its light and bringing peace into this room (this
house/family/community/etc.)
Remind your child that we are all Peace Stars. Whenever they
want to feel peaceful inside, they can become very still and quiet
and remember that they are a Peace Star.
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9
9
9
Talk about the story.
Draw a picture about the Star Story.
Write a few sentences about the picture.
Make a Peace Star or make many Peace Stars and create a
mobile.
Remember:
9 Use words like peaceful, loving, cooperative, and happy.
9 Label your own positive feelings for your child when you are
experiencing them.
9 Let your child know that you appreciate when they are making
peace.
9 Verbalize their positive qualities and ways of being. Notice when
they are being gentle with a younger sibling and kind with a
friend.
Ideas from Living Values Activities Published by Health Publications Inc.
www.livingvalues.net
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Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Make a Peace Star
Follow the directions below to make an origami Peace Star.
Colour your Peace Star with coloured pencils, crayons, glitter glue,
or anything else you wish to use.
Step 1
1. Fold a sheet of 8
by 11 inch paper in half
and crease it firmly.
Step 2
2. Fold it in half again and crease
it lightly. Unfold the second fold.
The crease from the second fold
will serve as a guide for the next
step.
Step 3
3. Fold the top, right hand corner
down and across so that the tip
meets the edge of the paper at the
crease line that you made in step 2.
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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Step 4
4. Fold the top left corner
down right along the edge of
the paper.
Step 5
5. Fold once again so that
the top left edge of the
paper meets the right edge
of the paper.
Step 6
6. Starting at the folded tip,
cut up at a fairly sharp angle.
7. Unfold the small triangle
to see your Peace Star!
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Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
Make a Peace Star Mobile
What you will need:
Scissors
Wooden skewers, sticks, or straws
String, wool or thread
Glue or sticky tape
A hole-punch
A ruler
1. Make and decorate eight Peace Stars.
2. Using a hole-punch, make a small hole in each star.
3. Cut your sticks/skewers/straws/or chopsticks. You will need two
pieces that measure 10cm and one piece that measures 21cm.
4. Cut your string into different lengths and tie them to your Peace
Stars.
5. Once all the pieces are tied together, hang up your mobile (use
sticky tape or a drawing pin).
6. Now you need to balance it. Slide the stringed pieces back and
forth until each side balances.
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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Your Own Goodnight Book
Follow the instructions to make a simple book out of a paper bag. You need only
a pair of scissors and a paper grocery bag. If you don't have a grocery bag, any
piece of paper will do. Draw pictures of everything and everyone that YOU say
goodnight to. Write the words underneath the pictures.
step 1
step 2
step 3
step 4
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step one
Carefully take the bag
apart along its seam and
lay it out on the table in
front of you.
step two
Trim off the bottom so
that you have a long
rectangular sheet left.
step three
Fold the paper over
longways so that the
corners meet. Crease
well and then unfold.
Fold the paper over in
the other direction.
Place the corners
together and crease
well. Do not unfold.
step four
Fold back one side as
shown in figure 4. Place
the corners together
and crease well. Repeat
with the other side.
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
step five
Unfold the last two folds.
Holding the folded side in
your hand, cut along the
center line until you reach
the first vertical fold.
step 5
step six
Open the paper so that eight
sections are showing. Fold
the page over longways. (If
there are pictures or words
on the paper they should be
on the inside.)
step 6
step 7
step 8
step seven
Holding on to each side,
gently push the ends
together to form the pages
of the book.
step eight
Fold the front and back
covers around so that the
corners meet. Crease well.
You should have six pages
inside.
Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
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For more information about the Books in the Home
program, or other literacy programs, please contact us:
The NWT Literacy council
Box 761
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2P6
Phone: (867) 873.9262
Fax: (867) 873.2176
Toll free: 1- 866-599-6758
Email: nwtliteracy@nwtliteracy.ca
Our website: www.nwt.literacy.ca
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Books in the Home: Goodnight Moon
