With summer just around the corner, students' thoughts always drift toward sunny days, no school, and plenty of their favorite activity—going to the pool! To tap into that excitement, I love to read Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall.
The kids are immediately hooked because the story features water and a relatable summer setting, but I love it for the deeper message: bravery. It’s the perfect conversation starter about how it’s okay to feel scared and how much "tuck, squeeze, and a deep breath" can help when facing a big challenge.
After our storytime discussion is over, I give the students a themed worksheet to complete. This is a lifesaver during transition times, such as when groups are rotating to check out new books in the library.
- Visual Storytelling: For K-2 students—especially Kindergarten and 1st grade—drawing is a vital precursor to writing. It allows them to process the plot without getting stuck on sentence structure.
- Zero Spelling Stress: One of the biggest wins? I don't have to field questions from 20 students about how to spell "diving board" or "scared!" They can pour their energy into their illustrations.
- Differentiated Expression: While my younger ones focus on the drawing, I can challenge my 2nd graders to add a "caption" at the bottom to practice their descriptive language.
It is always so fun to see which part of the story resonated most with them! If there is time, I offer them a chance to share their pictures with the class. Hearing them explain why they chose a particular event—like Jabari squeezed his dad's hand or the moment he finally splashed into the water—shows me exactly how much of the story they’ve internalized.
It’s a simple, low-prep way to celebrate the end of the year while still hitting those important comprehension goals!
You can access the free resource here.
Want to keep the Jabari Jumps fun going? Check out the resource below! Since it requires zero prep, it’s a lifesaver for busy weeks or last-minute substitute plans.
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