Gus's Rainforest Adventure
Gus's Rain forest Adventure
Written by Janice Marino, Megan Hunt, Connie Reed, Terry Ferro, and Helen Virga from the Davis School in Brockton, MA
Illustrated by Melissa Claire Henry
It is important to talk to children and ask them questions about stories. In this book, the coaches, Pedro, Hali, and Monty give examples of how to help children make predictions, make connections, retell the story, think about how the characters are feeling and talk about the pictures.
On this first page the coaches talk about the rainforest and how it is different from our homes. This helps the child establish a picture of the setting.
Discussing the background information of the characters is a good way to help children engage with the story.
Extension Activity: As you read other books, start by searching for the main characters and then begin by discussing what you may already know about each character.
Mom said, "I have to go hunt for our lunch. Wait here until I get back."
Making predications also helps children talk about and understand the outcome or main idea of the story.
Extension Activity: Predictions can be made anywhere! You can even make a prediction when you are watching a movie or a TV show. The next time you sit down to watch a program, try to predict what will happen to the main character.
Gus wandered into the rain forest. He saw something move in the clearing. It was Andy Anteater.
Extension Activity: Many animals have strict diets. Let’s try to think of other animals and the types of foods they eat. Choose five of your favorite animals and find out what kind of food they eat.
"Yum, that looks good. I'm hungry, can I have some?" said Gus.
"No," said Andy. "That was my last ant. I don't have anything to share."
"I'm so hungry," said Gus. "I need to keep looking for food."
Talking about how a character in the story is feeling, helps children relate to the story and the characters.
Extension Activity: Find a picture of a person in a book. Try to think about how the person is feeling in the picture and then write a short story about what you think. Once you have completed writing your story, go back and read the original story from the book with the picture you chose. Is your story similar to the story in the book?
Deeper into the rain forest, Gus spied a sloth. He was hanging upside down from the Cecropia tree.
On this page, children are asked to make a connection between the character and themselves. When children connect the story to their own life, it helps them understand and remember what they read.
Deeper into the rain forest, Gus saw something bright red in the top of the trees.
It was Megan Macaw feeding her babies. "I'm hungry," said Gus.
"I'm sorry," said Megan. "This food is for my babies. I don't have any to share.
Gus moved deeper into the rain forest. He saw Oksana the Ocelot sitting high up in a tree. "I'm hungry," said Gus.
Oksana licked her lips and said, "I'm hungry too!"
He quickly ran home through the rain forest. "Lunchtime!" said Mom." I have lots of food to share."
When you ask children to think about how the character feels, it helps them relate to the story.
Extension Activity: Let’s draw a picture. Draw a picture of yourself and how you would feel if you were Gus.
The End!
Dedicated to the children at the Davis School in Brockton, MA.
This book is an adaption of 'A Rainforest Adventure' by Janice Marino, Megan Hunt, Connie Reed, Terry Ferro, and Helen Virga from the Davis School in Brockton, MA.
Special thanks to the Massachusetts Department of Education whose funding supported teachers and parents in the development of this story.© CAST, 2006
