How to Use the Theme Slideshow The Theme Slideshow is a useful and engaging tool to introduce your class to the unit. The slideshow touches on the Big Idea questions for the unit. It can be used to prepare students for the unit by building background and academic language on topics that they will read about. Before you begin a new unit, show the Theme Slideshow to the class. Direct students to listen carefully to the audio as they look at each slide. (Note: if you click while the audio is playing, the audio will stop. Simply click the audio icon in the upper left corner to start the audio again.) Pause the slideshow as needed to allow students to comment or ask questions about what they are seeing. Provide sentence starters containing the academic words listed to engage students in conversations about the visuals and audio. Explain to students that they will learn more about these topics as they read the stories in the unit. As you begin each week of the unit, you may wish to show the Theme Slideshow again as a means of reviewing the weeks you have completed, and of preparing for the week to come. This is a great opportunity to add new learning and research findings to the Big Question Boards. The Theme Slideshow can also be used at the end of the unit to sum up learning and as a prompt for writing about the unit. For additional video clips related to the theme, go to www.macmillanmh.com. Select the California Treasures site, then in the Teacher area click the “Student Activities” button and select the Big Question Multimedia link. * * * * * How do people express their ideas and emotions in creative ways? In this unit we will find out about the different ways that people share their thoughts and feelings. Some artists use paints or clay to express their ideas. Writers use words to describe their thoughts. Other people use music and dance to express themselves. How do you and your friends like to express yourselves creatively?

What types of performances can people give What types of performances can people give? Describe dances you have seen or performed.

annual emotions In this selection you will learn about how a talented group of young dancers prepare for their annual performance. You will read about the different emotions the children feel as they anticipate dancing in front of all their family and friends.

Describe a folktale you know. Explain why you like it.

departs When a bear family departs from home in Abuelo and the Three Bears, a little girl named Trencitas discovers the home and goes inside. You will find out what happens when the bears come home and find a surprise.

What is art? Why do people make art?

precious In Music of the Stone Age, you will find out how people from long ago made music. The selection describes the way scientists studied precious flutes to discover more about ancient musicians.

Why do you like to write? What kinds of writing do you enjoy?

depends produce Click, Clack, Moo is the story of a group of farm animals who go on strike. The animals’ strike is a big problem for Farmer Brown, who depends on the milk that the cows produce. You will find out whether the animals and the farmer find a solution that makes everyone happy.

Do you like using words or pictures to tell your stories? Explain.

develops contemplates In Stirring Up Memories, author Pam Muñoz Ryan explains how she develops ideas for her books. You will find out where Pam contemplates her story ideas and how her family members influence her work.

What kinds of art, writing, and music do you like to create What kinds of art, writing, and music do you like to create? What is your favorite creative way to express your thoughts?